-IBIS-1.5.0-
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guidelines (Mind/Body)
treatment of chemotherapy side-effects
psychospiritual approaches
definition
Some adverse side-effects of cancer chemotherapy are attributed to the pharmacologic properties of the antineoplastic drugs, while others appear to be conditioned or learned. In the conditioning process, a learned association develops between stimuli related to chemotherapy and the side-effects of the drugs, such that the stimuli alone become capable of eliciting the distressing side-effects.
Behavioral relaxation techniques: Hypnosis, progressive muscle relaxation, electromyogram (EMG) biofeedback, and systematic desensitization can significantly alleviate some conditioned side-effects of chemotherapy including nausea, vomiting, and negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. (Locke, 1986, p. 234)
Patients who used relaxation training (progressive muscle relaxation and guided relaxation imagery) immediately before and during the chemotherapy treatments reported feeling less emotionally distressed and nauseated, and showed less physiological arousal (monitored by EMG, pulse rate, blood pressure) following chemotherapy infusion, than the no-relaxation training group. No difference was found in vomiting between the two groups. (Locke, 1986, p. 235)
Systematic desensitization used for anticipatory nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy gives the patient a sense of internalized control over his/her body and may enable the person to avoid possible drug side-effects such as drowsiness. (Locke, 1986, p. 239)
Relaxation, autosuggestion, imagery: This relaxation procedure included four components: deep abdominal breathing, tensing and relaxing of various body parts, relaxation by autosuggestion, and voluntary image control. Among the compliers, 75% experienced desirable weight change over a six week period. The implication is that relaxation may also be effective in treating the eating problems of the cancer patient, leading to improvement in weight and performance status. (Locke, 1986, p. 235)
Patients using progressive muscle relaxation plus guided relaxation imagery reported less anxiety and nausea during chemotherapy, showed significantly less physiological arousal, and reported less anxiety and depression after the treatment, and reported significantly less severe and less protracted nausea at home following chemotherapy. (Locke, 1986, p. 242)
Other combined therapies: Hypnosis used in conjunction with guided-relaxation imagery or deep muscle relaxation; progressive muscle relaxation with guided imagery; biofeedback with imagery; and systematic desensitization all showed effectiveness as behavioral interventions in controlling aversion reactions in cancer patients. (Locke, 1986, p. 246)
Management of nutrition in cancer can be improved by judicious use of psychopharmocological drugs to diminish the nausea, vomiting, and anorexia of radiation or chemotherapy. Some drugs appear to have a specific appetite stimulating effect (such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cyproheptadine). Creation of as pleasant an ambiance as possible around meals, and attention to the most pleasant social setting, is desirable. The value of eating with a friend, family member, fellow patient, and drinking wine with meals, which may stimulate both appetite and social interaction, should not be overlooked. (Locke, 1986, p. 239)
Treatment of insomnia in cancer patients (where the insomnia is secondary to the disease) using muscle relaxation training in sessions for three consecutive days yielded good results in a study with 3-month followup. (Locke, 1986, p. 235)
see also:
behavior modification techniques
cancer correlations: psychoneuroimmunology
cancer treatments: immune enhancement
healing power of meditation
healing power of humor
imagery for immune enhancement
insomnia guidelines
nocebo effect
relaxation techniques
self-hypnosis
treatment of pain
footnotes