Olsen, D. L., Raub, W., Jr., Bradley, C., Johnson, M., Macias, J. L., Love, V., & Markoe, A. (2001). The effect of aloe vera gel/mild soap versus mild soap alone in preventing skin reactions in patients undergoing radiation therapy. Oncology Nursing Forum, 28, 543–547.
To determine if the use of aloe and mild soap versus mild soap (Dove) alone would decrease the incidence of skin reactions. Aloe gel included aloe vera, triethanolamine, d-α tocopherol (natural Vitamin E), carbomer, tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), methylparaben, and imdazolidinyl urea.
Participants were randomized to use aloe vera gel and mild soap or mild soap alone. The skin care regimen began on the first day of treatment. Aloe was to be applied liberally after treatment each day, reapplied throughout the day, and rinsed off prior to treatment (no time frame identified). Assessments were performed on day 1 and in weekly reviews. Clinicians could order supplemental skin products as they deemed necessary.
Comprehensive Cancer Centre, University of Miami
The study was a prospective, randomized, blinded clinical trial.
The only significant difference found was delayed time to observation of a skin change with aloe in those with a cumulative dose greater than 2,700 cGy (p = 0.01).
No clear benefit of aloe vera was demonstrated.