This study examined the real-world effectiveness of manual cold capping, a non-drug method used to reduce hair loss during chemotherapy, across a diverse patient population at a single institution.
Researchers reviewed records from 100 adult patients who began cold capping between January 2019 and March 2022, collecting data on demographics, chemotherapy regimens, hair characteristics, and self-reported hair retention. Success was defined as retaining at least 50% of hair.
The results were notably positive: 95% of patients completed the full cold capping process, the median hair retention was 75%, and 92.1% of patients met the threshold for a favorable outcome. The primary factor influencing success was the chemotherapy regimen. Patients receiving doxorubicin-based treatments had lower success rates (71.4%) compared to those on paclitaxel- (95.7%) or docetaxel-based (96.6%) regimens. Importantly, the study found no significant difference in outcomes based on race, ethnicity, or hair characteristics (such as length, thickness, or texture), suggesting the method may be broadly applicable across diverse patient groups.
The 92.1% success rate reported here meets or exceeds many previously published findings. The authors suggest that strict adherence to proper cold capping protocols, including correct application and wearing the cap for the full prescribed duration, may be a key driver of these strong outcomes.
Overall, the study supports manual cold capping as a widely tolerable and effective option for reducing chemotherapy-induced hair loss, with chemotherapy type being the main variable affecting results.
