Neuron protected by Vitamin E shield

Vitamin E and Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: What You Need to Know

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"A meta-analysis explores the role of Vitamin E in preventing nerve damage during chemotherapy, providing insights for cancer patients and healthcare providers."

Chemotherapy, while effective in treating cancer, often comes with significant side effects. One of the most common and debilitating is chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). CIPN affects the peripheral nerves, leading to symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, and electric shock-like sensations, primarily in the hands and feet.

CIPN can severely impact a patient's quality of life, affecting their ability to perform daily tasks, sleep, and maintain overall well-being. In some cases, the severity of CIPN may even lead to dose reductions, treatment delays, or discontinuation of chemotherapy, potentially compromising the effectiveness of the cancer treatment.

Given the significant impact of CIPN, researchers have been exploring various strategies to prevent or alleviate this condition. Among these, Vitamin E has garnered attention due to its potential neuroprotective properties. However, the evidence regarding Vitamin E's effectiveness in preventing CIPN has been mixed. To clarify this issue, a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the efficacy of Vitamin E supplementation in preventing CIPN.

Does Vitamin E Really Help Prevent Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy?

A meta-analysis is a statistical technique that combines the results of multiple independent studies to arrive at an overall conclusion. In this case, researchers pooled data from six relevant studies involving 353 patients to determine whether Vitamin E supplementation could reduce the incidence of CIPN.

The meta-analysis revealed that Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly decrease the overall incidence of CIPN. The relative risk (RR) was 0.55, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from 0.29 to 1.05, and a p-value of 0.07. This indicates that while there was a trend towards a lower incidence of CIPN in the Vitamin E group, the result was not statistically significant.

Relative Risk (RR): 0.55 indicates that the risk of developing CIPN in the Vitamin E group was 55% of that in the control group.
Confidence Interval (CI): 0.29 to 1.05 suggests the range within which the true effect is likely to lie. Since the upper limit exceeds 1.0, it cannot be concluded that Vitamin E significantly reduces CIPN risk.
P-value: 0.07 is greater than the standard threshold of 0.05 for statistical significance, further indicating that the observed reduction in CIPN with Vitamin E was not statistically significant.

However, a subgroup analysis focusing specifically on cisplatin-associated neurotoxicity showed a significant benefit from Vitamin E supplementation. In this subgroup, Vitamin E significantly reduced the incidence of neurotoxicity (RR = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.58; p = 0.0002). This suggests that Vitamin E may be effective in preventing CIPN caused by cisplatin, a specific chemotherapy drug.

What Does This Mean for You?

The meta-analysis suggests that Vitamin E supplementation may not be a universal solution for preventing CIPN, but it could be beneficial for patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy. It is important to consult with your oncologist or healthcare provider to determine the best approach for managing CIPN based on your individual circumstances, chemotherapy regimen, and medical history. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm the role of Vitamin E supplementation and to identify other potential strategies for preventing and treating CIPN.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), and how does it impact patients?

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of chemotherapy, affecting the peripheral nerves. This condition manifests as pain, numbness, tingling, and electric shock-like sensations, mainly in the hands and feet. CIPN severely impacts a patient's quality of life, making it difficult to perform daily tasks, sleep, and maintain overall well-being. In severe cases, CIPN can lead to chemotherapy dose reductions, treatment delays, or even discontinuation of treatment, which can compromise the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

What is a meta-analysis, and why was it used to study Vitamin E's effect on CIPN?

A meta-analysis is a statistical technique that combines the results of multiple independent studies to draw an overall conclusion. In the context of Vitamin E and CIPN, researchers used a meta-analysis to combine data from several studies. This approach was chosen to increase the statistical power and provide a more comprehensive understanding of whether Vitamin E supplementation could reduce the incidence of CIPN. By analyzing pooled data from multiple studies, researchers aimed to clarify the mixed evidence regarding Vitamin E's effectiveness.

What were the main findings of the meta-analysis regarding Vitamin E and CIPN?

The meta-analysis revealed mixed results. Overall, Vitamin E supplementation did not significantly decrease the overall incidence of CIPN across all studies. The relative risk (RR) was 0.55, the 95% confidence interval (CI) ranged from 0.29 to 1.05, and the p-value was 0.07, indicating the result was not statistically significant. However, a subgroup analysis showed that Vitamin E significantly reduced the incidence of neurotoxicity in patients specifically receiving cisplatin chemotherapy. In this subgroup, the RR was 0.31 (95% CI, 0.17 to 0.58; p = 0.0002), suggesting a benefit for patients undergoing cisplatin treatment.

How do relative risk (RR), confidence interval (CI), and p-value help interpret the study's results?

The relative risk (RR) of 0.55 suggests that the risk of developing CIPN in the Vitamin E group was 55% of that in the control group. The 95% confidence interval (CI) ranging from 0.29 to 1.05 represents the range within which the true effect is likely to lie. Because the upper limit exceeds 1.0, it cannot be concluded that Vitamin E significantly reduces CIPN risk overall. The p-value of 0.07 is greater than the standard threshold of 0.05 for statistical significance, indicating that the observed reduction in CIPN with Vitamin E was not statistically significant for the overall group. However, in the cisplatin subgroup, a much lower RR and a statistically significant p-value indicated a strong positive effect.

What are the implications of these findings for patients undergoing chemotherapy, and what should they do?

The meta-analysis suggests that Vitamin E supplementation may not be a universal solution for preventing CIPN. However, it could be beneficial for patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy. Patients should consult their oncologist or healthcare provider to determine the best approach for managing CIPN. This approach should be based on their individual circumstances, chemotherapy regimen, and medical history. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm the role of Vitamin E supplementation and identify other potential strategies for preventing and treating CIPN. Patients should always discuss any potential supplements, including Vitamin E, with their healthcare team before starting them.