UCSF

Background: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) has been acknowledged as the most distressing symptom caused by chemotherapy. Symptom control by antiemetics in the delayed phase, and especially nausea control has been unsatisfactory and the side effects from the antiemetics have impelled researchers to investigate additional non-pharmacologic interventions for CINV control. The influence of CINV on patients' functional status has been reported, however, the relationship between CINV and their functional status during chemotherapy is understudied.

Purpose: This dissertation is aimed at adding to the knowledge base related to the experiences with and influences of CINV and to the additional interventions for CINV control such as P6 acupressure and aerobic exercise. The specific purpose includes 1) evaluating the effects of acupressure through literature review when acupressure was combined with antiemetics for the control of CINV. 2) exploring the experience of chemotherapy-induced nausea (CIN) in relation to the frequency of P6 digital acupressure in a group of breast cancer patients who had received moderate to highly emetogenic chemotherapy plus applied P6 digital acupressure as an additional intervention for CIN. 3) evaluating the relationship between nausea and a moderate level of aerobic exercise during and after adjuvant cancer treatment for women with breast cancer. 4) determining the relationship of CINV to the functional status of women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment.

Methods: A literature review evaluated the effect of P6 acupressure for CINV control. Three data-based studies were conducted using three existing data sets from larger studies. The first study examined the relationship of CIN to the frequency of P6 digital acupressure. The second study evaluated the relationship of nausea and a moderate level of aerobic exercise. The third study explored the relationship between CINV and functional status during chemotherapy.

Findings: CINV, especially in the delayed phase, and nausea is an important clinical issue that may influence functional status of patients. The use of P6 acupressure and performing a moderate level of aerobic exercise are suggested interventions for CINV control. However, further study is clearly needed.

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