Role of Ginger in management of nausea among patients receiving chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE

Cancer patients treated with chemotherapy often face variety of side effects, with nausea and vomiting being the most frequent. Ginger (), contains natural compounds that can speed up the metabolism and increase intestinal motility. It is traditionally used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of ginger in management of nausea among patients receiving chemotherapy.

METHODS

This crossover interventional study was conducted to evaluate the role of ginger in management of nausea among patients receiving chemotherapy. Study was carried out at chemotherapy daycare of Shifa International Hospital Islamabad, with a sample size of 90 patients, using non-probability convenient sampling. Patients undergoing chemotherapy were given the dose of ginger (550 mg twice a day) for five consecutive days. On the next chemo cycle the same patients were given the placebo capsules of same color and weight for two times a day for five days. Patients and attendants were contacted for five days and being asked about post-chemotherapy nausea. Nausea and vomiting were measured by Rhodes scale.

RESULTS

Results showed that Rhodes score of patients taking Ginger capsules was significantly lower than those taking placebo (p-value < 0.05) in all the five days.

CONCLUSION

Ginger significantly managed the nausea among patients receiving chemotherapy. Its natural antiemetic properties provide a convenient and safe way to reduce the post-chemotherapy nausea and vomiting.