Levine, M.E., Gillis, M.G., Koch, S.Y., Voss, A.C., Stern, R.M., & Koch, K.L. (2008). Protein and ginger for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced delayed nausea. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 14, 545–551.
To determine the extent to which protein meals along with ginger, when used as adjuvant therapies for standard antiemetic treatment, reduce delayed nausea
Patients were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 experimental groups. The Protein (P) and High Protein (HP) Groups received test meals of varying protein content and dried powdered ginger root in addition to standard antiemetic medication; the Control Group received only standard antiemetic medication.
The P and HP Groups were asked to consume two test meals daily for three days beginning 24 hours after their first chemotherapy session. Patients in the Control Group consumed their normal diet.
Patients completed daily diaries during the three-day study. Investigators called patients daily to monitor for adverse events, answer questions, remind patients to eat the test meals, and remind them to complete diaries.
The setting was not reported.
All patients were in active treatment.
This was a randomized controlled trial, non-blinded study.
An Electrogastrogram Symptom Diary was used to report nausea symptoms incidence, frequency, and intensity. Patients also recorded use of as-needed antiemetics.
High-protein meals with ginger reduced delayed nausea associated with chemotherapy and use of antiemetic medications.
The limitations of this study limit the ability to draw conclusions for nursing practice.