Beyond Hair Preservation: Scalp Cooling as a Biopsychosocial Intervention in Patients Receiving Highly Alopecia-Inducing Chemotherapy

This study investigates the broader psychological impact of scalp cooling in 82 patients undergoing highly alopecia-inducing chemotherapy. While scalp cooling effectively prevented visible hair loss in over half of the patients, the Hair Mass Index (HMI) showed limited correlation with post-therapeutic quality of life. Instead, patients' cognitive appraisal of the scalp cooling experience was a key determinant of their quality of life after treatment. Structural and ultrastructural analyses revealed that preserving follicular integrity is crucial for successful hair retention, providing a biological basis for the effectiveness of scalp cooling. The findings suggest that the clinical relevance of scalp cooling extends beyond hair preservation, emphasizing its psychological benefits and highlighting the need for optimizing scalp cooling techniques and developing additional protective strategies for hair follicles during chemotherapy.