Behavioral intervention for reducing chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting in adolescents with cancer

Eight adolescents (10-17 years, mean 12.1) with cancer received behavioral intervention for chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. Within 3-5 days after the administration of each course of chemotherapy, patients rated (1-10 scale; 1 = none, 10 = maximum) their nausea and vomiting and the extent to which chemotherapy bothered them and disrupted their daily routine. After a baseline (preintervention) assessment of 2-3 courses of chemotherapy, patients received intervention during another 2-3 courses. While no significant reduction of symptoms were found prior to intervention, with intervention there were reductions in nausea (Z = 2.37, p less than 0.02), vomiting (Z = 2.52, p less than 0.01), bother (Z = 2.24, p less than 0.02), and disruption of activities (Z = 2.38, p less than 0.02). This preliminary study suggests that chemotherapy side effects in adolescents can be reduced with behavioral intervention.