Roscoe, J.A., O’Neill, M., Jean-Pierre, P., Heckler, C.E., Kaptchuk, T.J., Bushunow, P., … Smith, B. (2010). An exploratory study on the effects of an expectancy manipulation on chemotherapy-related nausea. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 40, 379–390.
To test whether providing information about the expected efficacy of acupressure bands would enhance their effectiveness in reducing nausea
The study was conducted in a single outpatient setting. The location was not stated.
All patients were in active treatment.
This was a double-blind, four-arm, randomized, clinical intervention study.
Patients with enhanced information required less antiemetics and had less nausea than patients with neutral information. Managing expectations may facilitate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) management.
This study illustrates the need for nurses to assess and be aware of patient’s nausea expectations during chemotherapy. Patients with high expectations may benefit from information or discussion of the expected benefits of interventions on reducing nausea.