Psychological treatment for anticipatory nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Abstract

Chemotherapy-induced or radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting can significantly affect patients´ quality of life. Anticipatory emesis is a conditioned response which occurs before patients receive their next chemotherapy cycle. It is based on the learning of a patient´s negative experience. The aim of this article is to review effective treatments, pharmacological and psychological, for the control of anticipatory emesis. The best treatment to prevent anticipatory emesis is the control of acute and delayed emesis. The new antiemetic drugs, palonosetron and aprepitant, are usually able to prevent nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, but not to improve anticipatory nausea and vomiting. Behavioral interventions such as progressive muscle relaxation training and systematic desensitization should be considered important methods for preventing and treating anticipatory emesis.