Cancer is an important health problem in the world and in our country, and it ranks second among the causes of death in our country (20.7%). Chemotherapy, one of the most commonly used methods in cancer treatment, causes many physical and emotional symptoms while treating the disease. Nausea-vomiting is a common problem in cancer care, especially in patients receiving chemotherapy.
In the literature, there are studies examining non-pharmacological interventions for the prevention and management of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving chemotherapy, and it is seen that the interventions are mostly within the scope of complementary and alternative approaches. Patients receiving ambulatory chemotherapy may experience anticipatory nausea in particular, and this is likely to affect the individual's comfort level. In studies conducted in the field, the comfort level of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy was determined as moderate.
Today, mandalas are used effectively in the field of art therapy. The possibility of using mandala in all age groups has contributed to the treatment process of different diseases and disorders, and its effectiveness has been presented to the scientific world with many researches around the world. In adults, the mandala has been used both in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and as a tool to observe the effects of treatments. Art therapy including mandala drawing has significantly reduced the severity of trauma symptoms in individuals with anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. In the study of Zhao & Tang (2017) it was determined that mandala drawing therapy reduced the anxiety of cancer patients.
If the reduction of nausea-vomiting affects the comfort level and the person is relieved, a more effective treatment environment is created and the quality of life of the person is increased. In the literature, very limited studies have been reached on the use of the mandala drawing technique in cancer patients. National and international research examining the mandala drawing technique, especially in patients receiving ambulatory chemotherapy, could not be reached. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of mandala drawing technique on nausea-vomiting and comfort level in patients receiving ambulatory chemotherapy. It is anticipated that the study to be conducted will contribute to nursing interventions in the cancer care process and lead to the planning of new research on the subject.