Patients in the HGWD group (n = 46) soaked and washed Immersion and Washing limbs with HGWD infusion packs, followed by smearing limbs with vitamin E and vitamin B12. The composition of HGWD infusion pack was: 60g Radix Astragali (Huangqi), 15g Ramulus Cinnamomi (Guizhi), 15g Paeonia lactiflora (Baishao), 15g Gentiana (Qinjiao), 6g Scorpio (Quan-Xie), 20g Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens (Shengjiang), 20 Jujubes (Dazao), 30g Geranium wilfordii (Laoguancao), 12g radix sileris (Fangfeng), 30g Spatholobus suberectus (Jixueteng), 15g Ligusticum (Chuanxiong), 15g Poria (Fuling), and 15g Radixcyathulae (Chuanniuxi). HGWD infusion pack was boiled in water and extraction was performed twice to obtain a total of 500 ml drug-containing water. The drug-containing water was maintained at 39 to 40℃ for soaking and washing limbs for 20min twice a day for consecutive 14 days

Patients in the control group and the HGWD group used vitamin E milk and vitamin B12 to smear the limbs three times per day for 14 days.

Patients in the HGWD group (n = 46) soaked and washed Immersion and Washing limbs with HGWD infusion packs, followed by smearing limbs with vitamin E and vitamin B12. The composition of HGWD infusion pack was: 60g Radix Astragali (Huangqi), 15g Ramulus Cinnamomi (Guizhi), 15g Paeonia lactiflora (Baishao), 15g Gentiana (Qinjiao), 6g Scorpio (Quan-Xie), 20g Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens (Shengjiang), 20 Jujubes (Dazao), 30g Geranium wilfordii (Laoguancao), 12g radix sileris (Fangfeng), 30g Spatholobus suberectus (Jixueteng), 15g Ligusticum (Chuanxiong), 15g Poria (Fuling), and 15g Radixcyathulae (Chuanniuxi). HGWD infusion pack was boiled in water and extraction was performed twice to obtain a total of 500 ml drug-containing water. The drug-containing water was maintained at 39 to 40℃ for soaking and washing limbs for 20min twice a day for consecutive 14 days

The primary outcome measures was European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer-Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20) questionnaire, which consisted of 20 items that graded the degree of functioning affected by sensory (9 items), motor (8 items) and autonomic CIPN symptoms (3 items). Each item was scored from 1 to 4 (corresponding to answers of none, mild, moderate, and severe) on a Likert scale and subsequently the scores were summed up (total score range, 1-44). Sensory raw scale scores range from 1 to 36, motor raw scale scores range from 1 to 32, and autonomic raw scale scores range from 1 to 12 for men and 1-8 for women (erectile function item is excluded). Higher scores represented more symptoms and worse quality of life.

The EORTC QLQ-C30 is a validated 30-item questionnaire containing both single- and multi-item measures. These include five functional scales (Physical, Role, Cognitive, Emotional, and Social Functioning), three symptom scales (Fatigue, Pain, and Nausea/Vomiting), a Global Health Status/ Quality of Life (QoL) scale, and six single items (Constipation, Diarrhea, Insomnia, Dyspnea, Appetite Loss, and Financial Difficulties). Scores for each scale and single-item measure are averaged and transformed linearly to a score ranging from 0-100. A high score for functional scales and for Global Health Status/QoL represent better functioning ability or HRQoL, whereas a high score for symptom scales and single items represents significant symptomatology.