Chemotherapy induced nausea-vomiting and breathing exercise: a review

Authors

  • Pınar Ekşi Department of Nursing, Marmara University Institute of Health Sciences, Maltepe, İstanbul, Turkey
  • Sıdıka Oğuz Department of Medical Nursing, Marmara University Faculty of Health Sciences, Maltepe, İstanbul, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1101-1923

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3259.ijct20252203

Keywords:

Breathing exercise, Nursing, Nausea and Vomiting, Chemotherapy

Abstract

The gradual deterioration of the functions of cells, that have great vital importance, can lead to various diseases in many organs and systems such as cancer that is the second cause of death in the worldwide. Some complications may occur with the initiation of chemotherapy and the quality of life of patients may become worse. Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in cancer patients have continued to be one of the most common and disturbing symptoms in recent years. Nausea and vomiting may not seem dangerous on their own, but in many patients receiving chemotherapy, they can cause loss of appetite and consequent inability to eat, and death due to malnutrition. Today, the cause of nausea and vomiting is not completely understood and the pathophysiology of nausea cannot be even clearly explained. There is no definitive and effective drug treatment method for nausea and vomiting. This uncertainty has led to the use of various complementary and alternative treatment methods and breathing exercises have come into prominence in these treatment methods. In nursing practice, the intervention of breathing exercise in the clinical setting is mostly unknown or cannot be applied. For this reason, nurses may need to get help from a specialist trainer about breathing exercises to teach patients and guide them. This review provides information about breathing exercise to manage nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

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Published

2025-07-23

How to Cite

Ekşi, P., & Oğuz, S. (2025). Chemotherapy induced nausea-vomiting and breathing exercise: a review. International Journal of Clinical Trials, 12(3), 247–251. https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3259.ijct20252203

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Section

Review Articles