The effect of cold hat use on chemotherapy-induced hair loss in breast cancer patients: An experimental study in Tehran

Background. Hair loss (alopecia) is a common side effect of chemotherapy drugs, imposing further psychological stress on the patient. Scalp cooling is a common method used to prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia; however, the results are not conclusive. The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of using a cold cap during chemotherapy in preventing alopecia in women with breast cancer. Methods. In this experimental study (from December 2018 to March 2019), 100 women with breast cancer were recruited via convenience sampling and randomized into two equal groups of intervention (chemotherapy while wearing a cold cap) and control (chemotherapy without using a cold cap). Data were collected using a questionnaire including items regarding demographic characteristics and chemotherapy side effects. Results. The mean alopecia score (as rated by the patient on a scale from 1 to 4) was significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (2.25 ± 0.49 vs 2.49 ± 0.34, p = 0.005). Conclusion. Using a cold cap while receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer is effective in preventing hair loss.