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NCT Number: NCT07456982

The Effect of Relaxation Breathing Exercise on Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting

The Effect of Relaxation Breathing Exercise on Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Patients With Hematological Malignancies ABSTRACT

Background:

Chemotherapy is widely used in the treatment of hematological malignancies despite it has important and difficult side effects in patients. Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting are among the most common side effects in patients and antiemetic drugs may not be always curative.

Purpose:

This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of relaxation breathing exercise on managing chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting in patients with hematological malignancies undergoing chemotherapy.

Method:

A randomized controlled trial design was conducted with a total of selected sixty eight patients with hematological malignancies (34 intervention and 34 control participants) undergoing chemotherapy hospitalized in the hematology clinic of a Training and Research Hospital. The intervention group implemented relaxation breathing exercise three times a day with a standard treatment protocol and the control group only received routine drug treatment for chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting were assessed by filling Rhodes Index of Nausea Vomiting and Retching (RINVR) for the first six days after the start of the chemotherapy.

Results:

Data collection process ended. Data analysis process is in progress.

Conclusion:

In this study the effectiveness of relaxation breathing exercise on chemotherapy related nausea and vomiting will be examined in patients with hematological malignancies.

Keywords: Relaxation breathing exercise; Hematological malignancies; Chemotherapy; Nausea and vomiting

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Key information

Conditions

Nausea and Vomiting Chemotherapy-Induced Hematologic Diseases Hematologic Neoplasms Hematological Malignancies Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases Nausea Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Digestive Vomiting

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Marmara University, Mehmet Genç Complex

Istanbul, Kartal, 34000, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

The research was conducted in the hematology clinics of a university training and research hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Hospitalized patients with hematological malignancies who underwent chemotherapy were included in the research. Hematology patients apply to the hematology polyclinics in the hospital and then patients who are diagnosed with hematological malignancies such as leukemia, lymphoma or multiple myelome and will receive chemotherapy are hospitalized. The researcher planned to help patients to cope with nausea and vomiting while they were receiving chemotherapy in this study. Before the chemotherapy had been started, the relaxation breathing exercise training was provided to the hospitalized patients in their rooms who agreed to participate in the study. After training a guidebook about relaxation breathing exercise was given to the patients so that they would not forget how to implement the intervention

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 18 years or over with hematological malignancies
  • Undergoing chemotherapy
  • Not having any communication problems (able to read, write and speak Turkish.

Exclusion criteria

  • Having psychiatric and mental problems
  • Receiving radiotherapy concurrent with chemotherapy, 3) Having respiratory distress
  • Having central nervous system involvement
  • Having Grade 3 or Grade 4 nausea and vomiting.

Treatment and study plan

Relaxation breathing exercise

Behavioral

Relaxation breathing exercise:

  • Preliminary exercise:

Participants lie comfortably on their backs in the bed and focus on the lower abdomen. They place their left ankles over their right knees and then place their right ankles over their left knees. They draw both knees toward their abdomens.

  • Relaxation breathing:

Participants relax while breathing deeply through their noses and letting them out through their mouths slowly. They count to four and breathe in deeply, they hold their breathe while counting to four, and breathe out while counting to eight.

  • Ending exercise:

Participants stretch their arms and legs and then loosen them. They relax the muscles concerned with their faces, shoulders and eyebrows by keeping their mind clear.

Control Group

Behavioral

Control group does not perform relaxation breathing exercise. They only receive standard treatment.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from the start of the chemotherapy in the frequency and severity of nasea, vomiting and retching at 6 days.

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of intervention at 6 days

    Zero is equivalent to no nausea, no vomiting and no retching and 4 indicates the worst and unbearable nausea, vomiting and retching

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Marmara University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Relaxation Breathing Exercise on Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Patients With Hematological Malignancies

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Mar 9, 2026
Registry last updated
Mar 9, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

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This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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