New Insights into Cancer Treatment: Communication Model Shows Promise

Strategic Insights -

Investigators at Sundsvall Hospital have been studying the effects of communication on cancer treatment outcomes. The research aimed to explore whether therapists' positive communication could strengthen positive treatment expectations and alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The study involved 198 patients with breast, colorectal, or bladder cancer undergoing neo-/adjuvant chemotherapy. Participants were randomized to receive either neutral or positive communication from a therapist during antiemetic treatment, with some patients receiving sham acupuncture or verum acupuncture in addition to standard care. The primary outcome measure was the mean score on the Visual Analog Scale nausea grading for the first 5 days of the chemotherapy session period.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to investigate the effects of positive communication on treatment outcomes in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.
  • The research involved 198 patients with breast, colorectal, or bladder cancer, who were randomized to receive either neutral or positive communication from a therapist.
  • The study used a 2 x 3 factorial design, with two levels of communication style (neutral or positive) and three types of antiemetic treatment (standard care, sham acupuncture, or verum acupuncture).
  • The primary outcome measure was the mean score on the Visual Analog Scale nausea grading for the first 5 days of the chemotherapy session period.
  • Secondary outcomes included vomiting, treatment expectations, quality of life, daily and physical activity, and physiological measures.
  • The study found that the communication model of strengthening positive treatment expectations could be an effective way to alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
  • The results of this trial could lead to the implementation of communication models in routine clinical care as part of side-effect management for patients with cancer.

Statistics:

  • 198 patients with breast, colorectal, or bladder cancer were involved in the study.
  • The study used a 2 x 3 factorial design, with 2 levels of communication style (neutral or positive) and 3 types of antiemetic treatment (standard care, sham acupuncture, or verum acupuncture).
  • The primary outcome measure was the mean score on the Visual Analog Scale nausea grading for the first 5 days of the chemotherapy session period.
  • Patients received antiemetic treatment for approximately 6 months, with data collected at baseline, daily for 10 days, at a 10-day follow-up, and at a follow-up after completing the entire chemotherapy period.

Sources:

  • Design of a Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial: Strengthening Positive Treatment Expectations Using a Communication Model for Maximized Antiemetic Effects of Acupuncture and Antiemetics During Emetogenic Neo-/Adjuvant Chemotherapy. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 2025, 24. (Integrative Cancer Therapies - http://ict.sagepub.com/)
  • Study Findings from Sundsvall Hospital Provide New Insights into Cancer (Design of a Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial: Strengthening Positive Treatment Expectations Using a Communication Model for Maximized Antiemetic Effects of Acupuncture and ...). Health & Medicine Week. September 12, 2025; p 7136.