An interventional study of Rosemary oil application in Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN), sponsored by ARCIM Institute Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine. Completed at 1 site in Germany. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-06-04.
Sponsored by ARCIM Institute Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other
Chemotherapy can cause sensory disorders in the hands and feet called peripheral neuropathy. Typical symptoms are pain, loss of sensation, tingling, numbness, and gait disturbances, which worsen patients' quality of life and increase the risk of falls. Little is known about the effect of rosemary oil (applied to hands and feet) on the symptoms of neuropathy. The present study is a feasibility study to see if it is possible to conduct a clinical trial in patients diagnosed with cancer and receiving chemotherapy who report peripheral neuropathy and apply rosemary oil to their hands and feet.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most common severe dose-limiting side effects that accompany treatment with different chemotherapeutic agents. Patients with CIPN often experience a reduction in quality of life and an increase in fall risk due to symptoms such as pain, sensory loss, paresthesia (tingling, numbness), and gait disturbances. Treatment of CIPN is based on pharmacotherapy, which may in turn cause side effects such as nausea, dizziness, fatigue and others. In addition, various approaches from integrative medicine are used, e.g. acupuncture, touch therapies, mind-body medicine, dietary supplements, and aromatherapy. Little is known about the effect of rosemary oil, applied to hands and feet, on CIPN. The present study is a feasibility study to determine the feasibility of a future clinical trial to investigate the efficacy of topical application of rosemary oil in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who develop CIPN.
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Exclusion Criteria:
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You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Other: Rosemary oil application
Application of Rosemary oil (10%) to both hands and both feet once a day for 24 weeks
Participation rate
Participation rate in relation to all eligible patients and the reasons for non-participation. Reasons for refusal to participate in the study will be recorded.
Time frame: When participation in the study is offered, before start of chemotherapy and rosemary oil application
Rate of fully completed EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 questionnaires
The rate of fully completed EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 questionnaires in relation to incomplete questionnaires and reasons for missing data. EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 is used to measure the severity of CIPN pain and functional symptoms. It includes 20 items in three subscales to evaluate sensory (9 items), autonomic (3 items) and motor (8 items) symptoms and function. Each item is rated on a four-point Likert scale from 1 (not at all) to 4 (very much). Scores are summed up to a total score, which is linearly converted to a scale of 0-100 (a high score means more symptoms and pain).
Time frame: Before start of chemotherapy and rosemary oil application (baseline), then weekly for 24 weeks
Efficacy of rosemary oil according to EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 questionnaire
Efficacy of rosemary oil in order to obtain a basis for a sample size calculation in a follow-up study. Effect of rosemary oil application will be measured using the EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 questionnaire. EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 is used to measure the severity of CIPN pain and functional symptoms. It includes 20 items in three subscales to evaluate sensory (9 items), autonomic (3 items) and motor (8 items) symptoms and function. Each item is rated on a four-point Likert scale from 1 (not at all) to 4 (very much). Scores are summed up to a total score, which is linearly converted to a scale of 0-100 (a high score means more symptoms and pain).
Time frame: Before start of chemotherapy and rosemary oil application (baseline), then weekly for 24 weeks
Plan to share: Yes — Deidentified individual participant data will be made available, in addition to study protocol and informed consent form.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Informed consent form
Time frame: The data will be made available upon publication for a duration of three months.
Access criteria: The data will be made available to researchers who provide a methodologically sound proposal for use in achieving the goals of the approved proposal.
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This study is completed, as verified in Jun 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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ARCIM Institute Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine