Pillai, A.K., Sharma, K.K., Gupta, Y.K., & Bakhshi, S. (2010). Anti-emetic effect of ginger powder versus placebo as an add-on therapy in children and young adults receiving high emetogenic chemotherapy. Pediatric Blood and Cancer, 56, 234–238.
To evaluate the efficacy of ginger powder in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in children and young adults
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either ginger powder tablets or placebo tablets to be taken daily at night during the first three days of chemotherapy and then three times daily for the next two days after chemotherapy was completed. The total dose of ginger powder was 1,000–2,000 mg per day, based on body weight. Ondansetron and dexamethasone were used as standard antiemetics.
Randomization was done for each cycle of chemotherapy. Data were analyzed according to treatment cycle grouping. Patients received a follow-up telephone call on the seventh and tenth days of chemotherapy to reinforce diary use.
All participants were pediatric patients in active treatment.
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Ginger powder may have a positive impact in reducing acute and delayed nausea as an adjunct to standard antiemetic treatment in children and young adults, and it was not associated with any adverse effects.
Ginger may be helpful in mitigation of CINV symptoms for younger patients; however, effectiveness remains unclear.