Experience of the randomization
SIDE EFFECTS, COLD, SENSORY DISTURBANCES
In relation to the participants’ experience of the randomization process, there was a difference between the two randomization groups (Table The experience of the randomizationThemes Condensation Felt cheated being in the control group Some participants from the control group felt cheated because not being offered the intervention treatment   “I have often been sitting together with other participants who have worn the cooling-gloves. In this situation, I have sometimes felt a bit cheated because I have thought that I would also like to do that.” Accepted being in the control group Many of the participants from the control group were annoyed in the beginning that they were not randomized to the cooling treatment, but they later accepted being in the control group   “If after 3-4 times I had thought ‘now I can feel something, damn it, I wish I have been randomized to the intervention treatment’ (…). But luckily, I have not had any sensory disturbances. So, it was okay that I was not in the active part of the study.”     “I have heard from others who have been treated with the cooling treatment, who had a good effect of it. So, I wanted to get the cooling treatment, but now I know that there might also be side effects to the cooling treatment, so I am fine with being in the control group.”      “Of course, I have thought about whether I could have avoided it if I had received it, but when I then hear from the ones, I know who have had it on but still have some of the same symptoms, then I think that there wasn’t a big difference.” – Curiosity The subtheme about curiosity were mentioned in both groups. Participants from the control group had been curious about if the cooling treatment had an effect. Participants from the intervention group have experienced other patients being curious about the cooling treatment   “I asked about it. Some must take them off because it is too cold and uncomfortable. So, I have asked if they have any sensory disturbances, and the ones I have talked to, haven’t had any.”     “We have actually talked a lot about it. It has often been a topic of conversation, because they have asked why and because I have been sitting with it (the cooling treatment).” Feeling more privileged A participant from the intervention group felt more privileged when she has been sitting next to participants from the control group   “There was someone who had her own pair of cooling-gloves with her because she was not chosen to the cooling treatment, so she had brought her own. In that situation, I felt more privileged you can say than she was.” – Side effects to the cooling treatment Some of the participants have experienced side effects to the cooling treatment    “(…) And then I have been thinking about if the other participants think it as uncomfortable as I think it is.” “It is like a straitjacket. You cannot do anything at all.” Two participants dropped out of the CryoPac study during the study period. The participant from the intervention group dropped out because of side effects to the cooling treatment. The participant from the control group dropped out because she purchased cooling gloves for herself. Despite the difference between the two groups regarding the experience of randomization to the control group or the intervention group, it is important to note that all 21 participants wanted to recommend others to take part in the clinical trial.