Williams, S.A., & Schreier, A.M. (2004). The effect of education in managing side effects in women receiving chemotherapy for treatment of breast cancer [Online exclusive]. Oncology Nursing Forum, 31, E16–E23.
To determine the effectiveness of audiotapes on self-care behaviors, state anxiety, and the use of self-care behaviors and to describe the occurrence and intensity of common side effects in patients with breast cancer
Two 20-minute audiotapes provided information on nutritional management of side effects, exercise, and relaxation techniques along with written transcripts that were professionally developed at a fifth-grade reading level. All participants received standard education for the clinic but not standardized education. The experimental group received audiotapes and transcripts via mail and were provided with a cassette player if they did not have one at home. All participants were interviewed three times via telephone.
The study reported on 70 women with newly diagnosed stage I or II breast cancer starting the first cycle of chemotherapy treatment. Most of the women were receiving docorubicin and cyclophosphamide.
The setting was outpatient chemotherapy clinics operated by a university center in satellite clinics in rural areas of southeastern United States that covered 29 counties.
The design was an experimental, randomized, clinical trial.