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Nevasic audio program for the prevention of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting: A feasibility study using a randomized controlled trial design.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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Authors

Moradian, Saeed 
Walshe, Catherine 
Shahidsales, Soodabeh 
Ghavam Nasiri, Mohammad Reza 

Abstract

PURPOSE: Pharmacological therapy is only partially effective in preventing or treating chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Therefore, exploring the complementary role of non-pharmacological approaches used in addition to pharmacological agents is important. Nevasic uses specially constructed audio signals hypothesized to generate an antiemetic reaction. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of Nevasic to control CINV. METHODS: A mixed methods design incorporating an RCT and focus group interviews. For the RCT, female breast cancer patients were randomized to receive either Nevasic plus usual care, music plus usual care, or usual care only. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and linear mixed-effects models. Five focus group interviews were conducted to obtain participants' views regarding the acceptability of the interventions in the trial. RESULTS: 99 participants were recruited to the RCT and 15 participated in focus group interviews. Recruitment targets were achieved. Issues of Nevasic acceptability were highlighted as weaknesses of the program. This study did not detect any evidence for the effectiveness of Nevasic; however, the results showed statistically significant less use of anti-emetics (p = 0.003) and borderline non-significant improvement in quality of life (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Conducting a non-pharmacological intervention using such an audio program is feasible, although difficulties and limitations exist with its use. Further studies are required to investigate the effectiveness of Nevasic from perspectives such as anti-emetic use, as well as its overall effect on the levels of nausea and vomiting.

Description

Keywords

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, Feasibility, Music therapy, Nevasic, Adult, Antiemetics, Antineoplastic Agents, Breast Neoplasms, Feasibility Studies, Female, Humans, Iran, Middle Aged, Music Therapy, Nausea, Pilot Projects, Quality of Life, Vomiting

Journal Title

Eur J Oncol Nurs

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1462-3889
1532-2122

Volume Title

19

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
This work was supported in part by funding from the Cancer Experiences Collaborative (CECo), a Research Collaborative funded by the National Cancer Research Institute in the UK; and Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Iran. We are grateful to DAVAL Ltd, UK for providing us with Nevasic CDs and CD players free of charge for the purposes of this study.