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Heuser C, Schneider JN, Heier L, Ernstmann N, Nakata H, Petermann-Meyer A, Bremen R, Karger A, Icks A, Brümmendorf TH, Geiser F. Family resilience of families with parental cancer and minor children: a qualitative analysis. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1251049. [PMID: 38314254 PMCID: PMC10836593 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1251049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Estimated 50,000 minor children in Germany experience a newly diagnosed cancer in one of their parents every year. Family resilience has proven to be an important concept against life crises. However, little research exists regarding family resilience in the context of parental cancer with minor children. Based on the "Family Resilience Framework," the aim of the study is to investigate the processes of family resilience of affected families. In addition, we explore which combinations of promoting family resilience processes can be characterized. Methods As part of the mixed-method quasi-experimental interventional study "F-SCOUT," a qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the documentation of the "Family-Scouts" (a fixed contact person who advises, accompanies, and supports the families). Documentation was performed by families' study inclusion (T0), after 3 months (T1) and 9 months (T2) concerning current family situation, organization of everyday life, emotional coping, open communication within the family, and planned tasks. Results The N = 73 families had between one and six children. In 58 (79%) families, the mother had cancer. In the course of the analysis, a category system with 10 main categories and 36 subcategories emerged. Family resilience processes were described to different extents. Combinations of categories promoting family resilience were characterized by the use of social resources, flexibility, economic resources, and open communication. Discussion The findings are consistent with existing assumptions about family resilience in terms of the importance of social resources, family cohesion, mutual support, flexibility, open communication, and psychological well-being. In contrast to the findings of previous research, spirituality, and collaborative problem-solving indicate less centrality here. In turn, the findings on economic resources and information-seeking provide a valuable addition to the family resilience literature in the context of parental cancer with minor children. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04186923.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Heuser
- Chair of Health Services Research, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research, Clinic and Policlinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Aachen, Germany
| | - Juliane Nora Schneider
- Clinic and Policlinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lina Heier
- Chair of Health Services Research, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research, Clinic and Policlinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Aachen, Germany
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
- CARIM School for Cardiovascular Disease, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Nicole Ernstmann
- Chair of Health Services Research, Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, and Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research, Clinic and Policlinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Aachen, Germany
| | - Hannah Nakata
- Center for Health Communication and Health Services Research, Clinic and Policlinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Aachen, Germany
| | - Andrea Petermann-Meyer
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Aachen, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rebecca Bremen
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Aachen, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - André Karger
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Aachen, Germany
- Clinical Institute for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andrea Icks
- Institute for Health Services Research and Health Economics, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute for Health Services Research and Health Economics, German Diabetes Center, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tim H. Brümmendorf
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Aachen, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Franziska Geiser
- Center for Integrated Oncology Aachen Bonn Cologne Düsseldorf (CIO ABCD), Aachen, Germany
- Clinic and Policlinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Lukkahatai N, Park J, Jia HM, Martin D, Li J, Sheng JYS, Gill J, Saligan LN, Stearns V, Carducci M. Feasibility of DNA Methylation Age as a Biomarker of Symptoms and Resilience among Cancer Survivors with Multiple Chronic Conditions. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3076. [PMID: 38002076 PMCID: PMC10669866 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11113076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aims to examine the feasibility of DNA methylation age as a biomarker for symptoms and resilience in cancer survivors with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs). We included ten participants from our parent study, an ongoing randomized control trial study. Participants' symptoms and resilience were assessed, and peripheral blood was collected. DNA methylation age calculation was performed using DNAge® analysis. Data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation analysis and the Mann-Whitney U test. Participants in the intervention group tended to have a decrease in DNA methylation age and age acceleration after completing an exercise program (mean difference = -0.83 ± 1.26). The change in DNA methylation age was significantly correlated with the change in resilience score (r = -0.897, p = 0.015). The preliminary results suggest that DNA methylation age can be a potential biomarker for improving resilience in cancer survivors with multiple chronic conditions. This finding is limited by the small sample size, and a larger study is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Lukkahatai
- School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (D.M.); (J.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Jongmin Park
- College of Nursing, Research Institute of Nursing Science, Pusan National University, Yangsan-si 50612, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hejingzi Monica Jia
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Daniel Martin
- School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (D.M.); (J.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Junxin Li
- School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (D.M.); (J.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Jennifer Yeong-Shin Sheng
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Jessica Gill
- School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (D.M.); (J.L.); (J.G.)
| | - Leorey N. Saligan
- National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Vered Stearns
- School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA (M.C.)
| | - Michael Carducci
- School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA (M.C.)
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Sedighi Pashaki A, Mohammadian K, Afshar S, Gholami MH, Moradi A, Javadinia SA, Keshtpour Amlashi Z. A Randomized, Controlled, Parallel-Group, Trial on the Effects of Melatonin on Fatigue Associated with Breast Cancer and Its Adjuvant Treatments. Integr Cancer Ther 2021; 20:1534735420988343. [PMID: 33543655 PMCID: PMC7868453 DOI: 10.1177/1534735420988343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Fatigue associated with malignant conditions and their treatments is a disabling condition. This trial assessed the anti-fatigue effects of melatonin coadministration during adjuvant treatment of patients with the breast cancer. Material and Methods: Patients with breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive melatonin or placebo during adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Thirty-seven patients were randomly enrolled in each group. The mean ages of patients in the intervention and control groups were 50.47 ± 10.79 and 46.05 ± 10.55 years, respectively (P = .223). The intervention group received oral melatonin (18 mg/day) from 1 week before until 1 month after the adjuvant radiotherapy. The level of fatigue was assessed before and after intervention using Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) in both groups. To analyze data, the Student’s t-test and the Chi-square test were used at a significance level of P ≤ .05. Results: The BFI score was similar before the intervention in both groups, however, after the intervention, it was significantly lower in the melatonin group (P < .001). Moreover, the frequency of severe fatigue in the melatonin group was significantly lower than in the placebo group after intervention (42.1% vs 83.3%, P < .001). Conclusion: Coadministration of melatonin during adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy of women with breast cancer decreased the levels of fatigue associated with the malignant condition and its treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Saeid Afshar
- Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | | | - Abbas Moradi
- Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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Zilioli VR, Muzi C, Minga P, Codega P, Crucitti L, Meli E, Esposito A, Panico C, Rusconi C, Cairoli R. Safety and efficacy of netupitant/palonosetron and dexamethasone in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma patients with inadequate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting prophylaxis with palonosetron and dexamethasone: a single-center real-life experience. Int J Hematol Oncol 2020; 9:IJH23. [PMID: 32382409 PMCID: PMC7204612 DOI: 10.2217/ijh-2020-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We analyzed safety of NEPA (netupitant/palonosetron) and dexamethasone (NEPA+DEX) for the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in classical Hodgkin's lymphoma patients that experienced CINV with a prophylaxis with palonosetron (PALO + DEX). In a retrospective, monocentric, noncomparative study, we analyzed adverse events and CINV grading in patients who switched from PALO + DEX to NEPA + DEX. Among 32 patients treated with ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) during the study period, 47% did not properly control CINV with PALO + DEX and were shifted to NEPA + DEX. Among these, 53.3% properly controlled CINV is for all the remaining chemotherapy cycles. We did not observe an increase of adverse events after switching to NEPA. In our study, NEPA did not show drug-drug interaction with ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazine) chemotherapy agents and NEPA administration was well tolerated with mild and transient adverse events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio R Zilioli
- Division of Hematology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Muzi
- Division of Hematology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Periana Minga
- Division of Hematology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Codega
- Medical Affairs Department, Italfarmaco SpA, Cinisello Balsamo, Italy
| | - Lara Crucitti
- Division of Hematology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Erika Meli
- Division of Hematology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Esposito
- Pharmacy, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Panico
- Pharmacy, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Rusconi
- Division of Hematology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Cairoli
- Division of Hematology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
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Bellali T, Manomenidis G, Meramveliotaki E, Minasidou E, Galanis P. The impact of anxiety and depression in the quality of life and psychological well-being of Greek hematological cancer patients on chemotherapy. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2019; 25:201-213. [DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2019.1695864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Thalia Bellali
- Faculty of Nursing, “Alexander” Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Manomenidis
- Department of Infection Control, General Hospital of Ptolemaida, Ptolemaida, Greece
| | | | - Evgenia Minasidou
- Faculty of Nursing, “Alexander” Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Petros Galanis
- Faculty of Nursing, Center for Health Services Management (CHESME), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens, Greece
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One shot NEPA plus dexamethasone to prevent multiple-day chemotherapy in sarcoma patients. Support Care Cancer 2019; 27:3593-3597. [PMID: 30762142 PMCID: PMC6660507 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-4645-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the most feared and disturbing adverse events of cancer treatment associated with decreased adherence to effective chemotherapy regimens. For high-risk soft tissue sarcoma patients, receiving multiple-day chemotherapy (MD-CT), antiemetic guidelines recommend a combination of an NK1 receptor antagonist (NK1-RA), a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (5HT3-RA), and dexamethasone on each day of the antineoplastic treatment. NEPA is the first oral fixed-dose combination of a highly selective NK1-RA, netupitant, and second-generation 5HT3-RA, palonosetron. So far, no data has been published in literature about the efficacy of a single dose of NEPA in MD-CT. Methods We performed a prospective, non-comparative study to assess the efficacy of one shot of NEPA plus dexamethasone in sarcoma patients receiving MD-CT. The primary efficacy endpoint was a complete response (CR: no emesis, no rescue medication) during the overall phase (0–120 h) in cycle 1. The main secondary endpoints were CR during the overall phase of cycles 2 and 3. Results The primary endpoint was reached in 88.9% of patients. Cycles 2 and 3 overall CR rates were 88.9% and 82.4%, respectively. The antiemetic regimen was well tolerated. Conclusions This pilot study showed the benefit of one shot of NEPA to prevent CINV in sarcoma patients receiving MD-chemotherapy.
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Mosleh SM, Alja'afreh M, Alnajar MK, Subih M. The prevalence and predictors of emotional distress and social difficulties among surviving cancer patients in Jordan. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2018; 33:35-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 12/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Lorusso D, Bria E, Costantini A, Di Maio M, Rosti G, Mancuso A. Patients' perception of chemotherapy side effects: Expectations, doctor-patient communication and impact on quality of life - An Italian survey. Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2016; 26. [PMID: 28004440 DOI: 10.1111/ecc.12618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Chemotherapy side effects (CSE) have a strong impact on patients' quality of life (QOL). To assess patient perceptions of CSE, their impact on QOL and doctor-patient communication regarding these aspects, a survey was conducted among Italian cancer patients. Patients at least 18 years of age, who received chemotherapy, were administered a dedicated questionnaire to assess their point of view on five domains: expectations about CSE and impact on QOL; doctor-patient communication about CSE; treatments to reduce the impact of CSE; sexual life; family relationships/activities and employment. A total of 761 patients participated. CSE had a considerable impact on patient QOL. Nausea/vomiting was the most feared adverse effect before initiating chemotherapy and the one most commonly experienced during treatment. Patients generally reported good doctor-patient communication regarding information about CSE. In almost all cases, the oncologists prescribed an antiemetic treatment, but the incidence of nausea/vomiting was high. Cancer and CSE severely affected sexual life, daily activities and employment. CSE had a strong negative impact on QOL. Good doctor-patient communication is essential. Improving antiemetic strategies may improve QOL. Doctors' ability to inform patients about delicate issues, such as the impact of CSE on sexual life, needs to be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emilio Bria
- Medical Oncology, University of Verona, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata, Verona, Italy
| | - Anna Costantini
- Psycho-Oncology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, and Italian Society of Psycho-Oncology (SIPO), Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Di Maio
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, and Medical Oncology, Mauriziano Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Annamaria Mancuso
- Salute Donna (Association for the Prevention and Fight Against Female Cancers), Milan, Italy
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Chandel P, Sultan A, Khan KA, Choudhary V, Parganiha A. Validation of the Hindi version of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 (MFI-20) in Indian cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 2015; 23:2957-64. [PMID: 25744285 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-015-2661-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study was designed to validate the Hindi version of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20 (MFI-20) in Indian oncology population. METHODS The original English version of the MFI-20 was translated into Hindi (hMFI-20) using the translation and back translation processes. The hMFI-20 was administered to 200 cancer patients. The item analysis for hMFI-20 was carried out using the corrected item-total correlation. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed to test whether the original factor structure of MFI-20 is confirmed for the hMFI-20. Further, convergent and discriminant validities were also tested. The reliability of the hMFI-20 was evaluated by computing composite reliability and Cronbach's α coefficient. RESULTS Corrected item-total correlation value for each of the items of hMFI-20 was greater than 0.6. Results of the CFA (comparative fit indices (CFI) = 0.91, root mean squared residual (RMR) = 0.04, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.028, and χ (2) = 45.68, p > 0.05) indicated that the five-factor model provided a good fit to the data. The findings indicated that hMFI-20 has a good convergent (composite reliability (CR) >0.7; average variance extracted value (AVE) >0.5) and discriminant (maximum shared variance (MSV) < AVE; average shared variance (ASV) < AVE; square root of AVE > inter-factor correlations) validities. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the total hMFI-20 was 0.8 and was more than 0.7 for each of the five factors. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the hMFI-20 has a high internal consistency and reasonable construct validity. Therefore, the hMFI-20 is a reliable and valid tool to assess the multidimensional fatigue in Indian oncology population. However, we recommend further validation of hMFI-20 in population of cancer patients of different linguistic settings and regions of India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Chandel
- Chronobiology and Animal Behavior Laboratory, School of Studies in Life Sciences, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, 492010, India
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Marx W, McCarthy AL, Ried K, Vitetta L, McKavanagh D, Thomson D, Sali A, Isenring L. Can ginger ameliorate chemotherapy-induced nausea? Protocol of a randomized double blind, placebo-controlled trial. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 14:134. [PMID: 24712653 PMCID: PMC3984021 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preliminary research shows ginger may be an effective adjuvant treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting but significant limitations need to be addressed before recommendations for clinical practice can be made. METHODS/DESIGN In a double-blinded randomised-controlled trial, chemotherapy-naïve patients will be randomly allocated to receive either 1.2 g of a standardised ginger extract or placebo per day. The study medication will be administrated as an adjuvant treatment to standard anti-emetic therapy and will be divided into four capsules per day, to be consumed approximately every 4 hours (300 mg per capsule administered q.i.d) for five days during the first three cycles of chemotherapy. Acute, delayed, and anticipatory symptoms of nausea and vomiting will be assessed over this time frame using a valid and reliable questionnaire, with nausea symptoms being the primary outcome. Quality of life, nutritional status, adverse effects, patient adherence, cancer-related fatigue, and CINV-specific prognostic factors will also be assessed. DISCUSSION Previous trials in this area have noted limitations. These include the inconsistent use of standardized ginger formulations and valid questionnaires, lack of control for anticipatory nausea and prognostic factors that may influence individual CINV response, and the use of suboptimal dosing regimens. This trial is the first to address these issues by incorporating multiple unique additions to the study design including controlling for CINV-specific prognostic factors by recruiting only chemotherapy-naïve patients, implementing a dosing schedule consistent with the pharmacokinetics of oral ginger supplements, and independently analysing ginger supplements before and after recruitment to ensure potency. Our trial will also be the first to assess the effect of ginger supplementation on cancer-related fatigue and nutritional status. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting are distressing symptoms experienced by oncology patients; this trial will address the significant limitations within the current literature and in doing so, will investigate the effect of ginger supplementation as an adjuvant treatment in modulating nausea and vomiting symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION ANZCTR.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12613000120774.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Marx
- Centre of Dietetics Research, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- National Institute of Integrative Medicine, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alexandra L McCarthy
- Division of Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Institute of Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Karin Ried
- National Institute of Integrative Medicine, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Luis Vitetta
- School of Medicine, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Medlab, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel McKavanagh
- Oncology & Haematology Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Damien Thomson
- PAH Oncology & Haematology Unit, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Avni Sali
- National Institute of Integrative Medicine, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Liz Isenring
- Centre of Dietetics Research, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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