Chan, C.W., Cheng, K.K., Lam, L.W., Li, C.K., Chik, K.W., & Cheung, J.S. (2008). Psycho-educational intervention for chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting in paediatric oncology patients: A pilot study. Hong Kong Medical Journal, 14(5 Suppl.), 32–35. Retrieved from http://www.hkmj.org/article_pdfs/hkm0810sp5p32.pdf
To assess the feasibility of using relaxation and patient education
Patients were placed in group 1 or 2 (no randomization information). Group 1 received training of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and guided imagery (GI) with audiotapes daily on days 0–5, then practiced daily for two months. Group 2 received two 30-minute patient/parent education sessions on day 0 and day 2 focusing on risk assessment, antiemetic use, and meal planning. All subjects completed instruments at baseline (prior to chemotherapy), then daily for seven more days. At one and two months after the intervention, anxiety, compliance with PMR and GI (group 1 only), satisfaction with care, and quality of life were assessed. Pulse and blood pressure were reported in the findings but not listed in the procedure.
At baseline, group 1 had significantly lower anxiety than group 2 (p = 0.032). Group 1 had less vomiting on day 3 compared to the control group (p = 0.036). No significant differences of antiemetic use existed between the intervention and control groups. No significant differences existed in body weight, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), antiemetic use, quality of life, and caloric intake between groups. The health diaries indicated that the patients practiced PMR 3–4 times weekly at home with no significant changes in blood pressure or pulse. Patient and parents reported that the interventions were moderately useful.
This study is poorly designed, and the findings should be used cautiously. The authors reported that PMR and education can reduce CINV; however, no conclusions should be made except that further research is warranted.
The study is of too poor a quality to provide any implications for nurses. Well-designed research in this area is needed.