Date of Award

2019

Degree Type

Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

Department Chair

Laura Levy, DHSc, PA-C

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is ginger an effective treatment for reducing the severity of chemotherapy-induced nausea in breast cancer patients?”

Study Design: The systematic review of three English language, peer reviewed, randomized control trials have been published between 2015 and 2016.

Data Sources: Three randomized control trials were obtained using the PubMed database. One single-blind randomized control trial, one double-blinded randomized control trial, and one double-blind Phase II-III randomized control trial.

Outcomes Measured: The participants of the trials graded the severity of nausea after the intervention of ginger or the control. Each study assessed patient-oriented outcomes. The outcomes measured were analyzed via visual analog scale, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, and self-reported severity of nausea questionnaire.

Results: All three studies did not show a significant improvement in the severity of nausea in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy after the treatment of ginger. However, one study showed a positive benefit in the health-related quality of life after using ginger essential oil aromatherapy.

Conclusion: The three randomized control trials used in this systematic review did not show an improvement in the severity of chemotherapy-induced nausea when using ginger as a treatment intervention. There were too many limitations determined in the three control trials which could have cause insignificant results. Although, participants in the single-blinded control trial reported positive improvement in the health-related quality of life.

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