Positive Health Online

Abstract

MOLASSIOTIS, Department of Nursing, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, alexmo@cuhk.edu.hk, assessed the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation training (PMRT) for controlling chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting in women with breast cancer.

Background

Methodology

8 women with breast cancer who were receiving chemotherapy with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide were given standard oral anti-emetic medication (Maxolon ). Half of the patients were randomly assigned to also receive PMRT . A trained nurse guided these patients through a PMRT session once a day for 5 days. Both groups of patients received anti-emetic medication intravenously 30 minutes before they took their chemotherapy drugs. Nausea and vomiting were assessed on the Morrow Nausea and Vomiting Scale.

Results

Statistically, differences between the two groups of patients were borderline, but there were trends towards a shorter duration and a lower intensity of both nausea and vomiting in the group that also received PMRT . Both groups of patients experienced delayed nausea and vomiting due to their [anti-nausea and anti-vomiting] treatments.

Conclusion

Although this was a small study, the results suggested that PMRT may be useful, when given in addition to standard anti-emetic medication, in helping to decrease nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. PMRT is low cost and easy to learn and therefore can easily be incorporated into the care protocols for patients undergoing chemotherapy.

References

Molassiotis A. A pilot study of the use of progressive muscle relaxation training in the management of post-chemotherapy nausea and vomiting. European Journal of Cancer Care 9 (4): 230-4. Dec 2000.