Kearney, N., Miller, M., Maguire, R., Dolan, S., MacDonald, R., McLeod, J., . . . Wengström, Y. (2008). WISECARE+: results of a European study of a nursing intervention for the management of chemotherapy-related symptoms. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 12, 443–448.
To evaluate the impact of a nursing intervention incorporating structured symptom assessment and management of the chemotherapy-related symptoms of nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and mucositis.
A consecutive sample of 249 patients, who were scheduled to receive first-line chemotherapy, received structured symptom assessment and management, facilitated by WISECARE+, an information technology–based program. Symptom data was self-report by patients using a paper questionnaire for 14 consecutive days following each cycle of chemotherapy, starting on the first day of treatment.
Patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.
The study used a pre- and postintervention design.
Patients experienced less nausea postintervention, but pre/post differences were only significant at days 0 to 4 (p = 0.025). Similarly, patients had less vomiting after the intervention but pre and post differences were only significant at days 0 to 4 (p < 0.001). Although changes in oral problems varied at different time points in the study, overall repeated measures analysis showed reduction in oral problems over the course of the study (p = 0.016). There was no effect of the intervention on fatigue.
Structured nursing symptom assessment and management of chemotherapy-related symptoms improved the symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and oral problems (mucositis) related to chemotherapy.
The study used patient-assessed symptom data that was collected in real time. The data measured the incidence, severity, and associated distress of the symptoms. Additional research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the structured symptom assessment and management of chemotherapy-related symptoms.