Higher Levels of Stress and Neuropsychological Symptoms Are Associated With a High Nausea Profile in Patients With Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy

Objectives: To evaluate differences in the severity of global, cancer-specific, and cumulative life stress, resilience, and common neuropsychological symptoms among four subgroups of patients with distinct chemotherapy-induced nausea (CIN) profiles.

Sample & Setting: Adult patients with cancer (N = 1,343) receiving chemotherapy.

Methods & Variables: Patients completed stress, resilience, and neuropsychological symptom severity measures. The Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale was used to assess CIN occurrence six times over two cycles of chemotherapy. Parametric and nonparametric statistics were used to evaluate differences among subgroups of patients with distinct CIN profiles.

Results: The high class had significantly higher levels of global, cancer-specific, and cumulative life stress; significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, morning and evening fatigue, and pain; and lower levels of morning and evening energy and cognitive dysfunction.

Implications for Nursing: Clinicians need to evaluate CIN occurrence across each cycle of chemotherapy and assess patients for various types of stress and common neuropsychological symptoms.