A portable cooling cap to help prevent hair loss during chemotherapy
Official title: Portable, Patient-Administered Scalp Cooling Cap to Reduce Provider Burden, Improve Patient Access, and Improve Patient Outcomes for Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia
Funded at Cooler Heads Care INC · NIH-10677863 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a handy cooling cap that you can use yourself to help prevent hair loss from chemotherapy, making it easier for you to take care of your hair during treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cooler Heads Care INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $1,036,917 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA254560-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10677863 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing chemotherapy who are at risk of experiencing hair loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing chemotherapy or those who do not experience hair loss as a side effect may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a portable, patient-administered scalp cooling cap designed to reduce hair loss caused by chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA). The cap works by cooling the scalp, which helps protect hair follicles from the damaging effects of chemotherapy drugs. By allowing patients to administer the cooling treatment themselves, the research aims to improve access and reduce the burden on healthcare providers. The study evaluates the effectiveness of this approach in enhancing patient outcomes and overall well-being.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce hair loss for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, improving their body image and psychological well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that scalp cooling can effectively reduce the incidence of chemotherapy-induced hair loss, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Cooler Heads Care INC
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dilligan, Kate — Cooler Heads Care INC
- Study coordinator: Dilligan, Kate
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.