A double-blind, randomised trial of a polyphenolic-rich nail bed balm for chemotherapy-induced onycholysis: the UK polybalm study

Robert Thomas; Madeleine Williams; Michael Cauchi; Saul Berkovitz; Sarah A. Smith

doi:10.1007/s10549-018-4788-9

A double-blind, randomised trial of a polyphenolic-rich nail bed balm for chemotherapy-induced onycholysis: the UK polybalm study

Robert Thomas
, Madeleine Williams
, Michael Cauchi
, Saul Berkovitz
, Sarah A. Smith

Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Purpose
Nail damage is common amongst patients receiving chemotherapy causing disfigurement and pain. This investigation evaluated whether a topical balm containing steam-extracted, bioactive polyphenolic-rich herbal oils blended with organic waxes could protect the nails via their reported anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties.

Methods
60 patients (23M, 37F) were randomised to apply (2–3/day) either the plant balm (PB) or a petroleum control (PC) to their nail beds. Demographics, type and number of chemotherapy cycles did not differ between the two groups, recruited between Sept 2015 and Sept 2016. An unpaired t test was used to test the differences in symptoms and physical nail damage between the two groups.

Results
Symptom scores recorded with the dermatology life quality questionnaire (DLQQ) were significantly better, between the start and end of chemotherapy, in the group applying the PB versus PC. Likewise, the mean fall in nail damage, scored with the Nail Psoriasis Index by the supervising physician, was also significantly different.

Conclusion
The polyphenolic-rich essential oils and plant-based waxes in this nail bed balm profoundly reduced chemotherapy-related nail damage and improved nail-related quality of life, compared to a control. A further analysis is planned combining this balm with nail bed cooling.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	103-110
Number of pages	8
Journal	Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Volume	171
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-018-4788-9
Publication status	Published - 7 May 2018

Bibliographical note

Thanks to the scientific committee and detailed advice from the members of the National Cancer Research Clinical Trials Development Committee. Thanks to Power Health Ltd, Yorkshire, who made the balms specifically for this study. Although this was a scientific evaluation, Medicines and Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA) classed these products as a cosmetic, so cannot be recommended for any medical condition or claim health benefits. The investigation balm should not be used against medical advice. The protocol was in the public domain and the balm, named after the clinical trial, is now distributed by an independent organisation (polybalm.com) that has no connection to the trials unit.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Chemotherapy
Prostate Cancer
Breast Cancer
Double-blind Clinical Trial
Onycholysis
Prevention

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Thomas_et_al_2018_A_double-blind,_randomised_trial_of a polyphenolic-rich_nail_bed_balm_for chemotherapy-induced_onycholysis_the UK_polybalm_studyFinal published version, 1.33 MBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

@article{d1de4852b06c44d1a3798525c3cfc4eb,

title = "A double-blind, randomised trial of a polyphenolic-rich nail bed balm for chemotherapy-induced onycholysis: the UK polybalm study",

abstract = "Purpose Nail damage is common amongst patients receiving chemotherapy causing disfigurement and pain. This investigation evaluated whether a topical balm containing steam-extracted, bioactive polyphenolic-rich herbal oils blended with organic waxes could protect the nails via their reported anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties. Methods 60 patients (23M, 37F) were randomised to apply (2–3/day) either the plant balm (PB) or a petroleum control (PC) to their nail beds. Demographics, type and number of chemotherapy cycles did not differ between the two groups, recruited between Sept 2015 and Sept 2016. An unpaired t test was used to test the differences in symptoms and physical nail damage between the two groups. Results Symptom scores recorded with the dermatology life quality questionnaire (DLQQ) were significantly better, between the start and end of chemotherapy, in the group applying the PB versus PC. Likewise, the mean fall in nail damage, scored with the Nail Psoriasis Index by the supervising physician, was also significantly different. Conclusion The polyphenolic-rich essential oils and plant-based waxes in this nail bed balm profoundly reduced chemotherapy-related nail damage and improved nail-related quality of life, compared to a control. A further analysis is planned combining this balm with nail bed cooling.",

keywords = "Chemotherapy, Prostate Cancer, Breast Cancer, Double-blind Clinical Trial, Onycholysis, Prevention",

author = "Robert Thomas and Madeleine Williams and Michael Cauchi and Saul Berkovitz and Smith, \{Sarah A.\}",

note = "Thanks to the scientific committee and detailed advice from the members of the National Cancer Research Clinical Trials Development Committee. Thanks to Power Health Ltd, Yorkshire, who made the balms specifically for this study. Although this was a scientific evaluation, Medicines and Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA) classed these products as a cosmetic, so cannot be recommended for any medical condition or claim health benefits. The investigation balm should not be used against medical advice. The protocol was in the public domain and the balm, named after the clinical trial, is now distributed by an independent organisation (polybalm.com) that has no connection to the trials unit.",

year = "2018",

month = may,

day = "7",

doi = "10.1007/s10549-018-4788-9",

language = "English",

volume = "171",

pages = "103--110",

journal = "Breast Cancer Research and Treatment",

issn = "0167-6806",

publisher = "Springer",

}

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T1 - A double-blind, randomised trial of a polyphenolic-rich nail bed balm for chemotherapy-induced onycholysis: the UK polybalm study

AU - Thomas, Robert

AU - Williams, Madeleine

AU - Cauchi, Michael

AU - Berkovitz, Saul

AU - Smith, Sarah A.

N1 - Thanks to the scientific committee and detailed advice from the members of the National Cancer Research Clinical Trials Development Committee. Thanks to Power Health Ltd, Yorkshire, who made the balms specifically for this study. Although this was a scientific evaluation, Medicines and Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA) classed these products as a cosmetic, so cannot be recommended for any medical condition or claim health benefits. The investigation balm should not be used against medical advice. The protocol was in the public domain and the balm, named after the clinical trial, is now distributed by an independent organisation (polybalm.com) that has no connection to the trials unit.

PY - 2018/5/7

Y1 - 2018/5/7

N2 - Purpose Nail damage is common amongst patients receiving chemotherapy causing disfigurement and pain. This investigation evaluated whether a topical balm containing steam-extracted, bioactive polyphenolic-rich herbal oils blended with organic waxes could protect the nails via their reported anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties. Methods 60 patients (23M, 37F) were randomised to apply (2–3/day) either the plant balm (PB) or a petroleum control (PC) to their nail beds. Demographics, type and number of chemotherapy cycles did not differ between the two groups, recruited between Sept 2015 and Sept 2016. An unpaired t test was used to test the differences in symptoms and physical nail damage between the two groups. Results Symptom scores recorded with the dermatology life quality questionnaire (DLQQ) were significantly better, between the start and end of chemotherapy, in the group applying the PB versus PC. Likewise, the mean fall in nail damage, scored with the Nail Psoriasis Index by the supervising physician, was also significantly different. Conclusion The polyphenolic-rich essential oils and plant-based waxes in this nail bed balm profoundly reduced chemotherapy-related nail damage and improved nail-related quality of life, compared to a control. A further analysis is planned combining this balm with nail bed cooling.

AB - Purpose Nail damage is common amongst patients receiving chemotherapy causing disfigurement and pain. This investigation evaluated whether a topical balm containing steam-extracted, bioactive polyphenolic-rich herbal oils blended with organic waxes could protect the nails via their reported anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties. Methods 60 patients (23M, 37F) were randomised to apply (2–3/day) either the plant balm (PB) or a petroleum control (PC) to their nail beds. Demographics, type and number of chemotherapy cycles did not differ between the two groups, recruited between Sept 2015 and Sept 2016. An unpaired t test was used to test the differences in symptoms and physical nail damage between the two groups. Results Symptom scores recorded with the dermatology life quality questionnaire (DLQQ) were significantly better, between the start and end of chemotherapy, in the group applying the PB versus PC. Likewise, the mean fall in nail damage, scored with the Nail Psoriasis Index by the supervising physician, was also significantly different. Conclusion The polyphenolic-rich essential oils and plant-based waxes in this nail bed balm profoundly reduced chemotherapy-related nail damage and improved nail-related quality of life, compared to a control. A further analysis is planned combining this balm with nail bed cooling.

KW - Chemotherapy

KW - Prostate Cancer

KW - Breast Cancer

KW - Double-blind Clinical Trial

KW - Onycholysis

KW - Prevention

U2 - 10.1007/s10549-018-4788-9

DO - 10.1007/s10549-018-4788-9

M3 - Article

SN - 0167-6806

VL - 171

SP - 103

EP - 110

JO - Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

JF - Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

ER -

A double-blind, randomised trial of a polyphenolic-rich nail bed balm for chemotherapy-induced onycholysis: the UK polybalm study

Abstract

Bibliographical note

UN SDGs

Keywords

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