Nursing Supports for Cancer Patients: A Multisite Cross-Sectional Study in Japan

Strategic Insights -

Japanese palliative care nurses provided noninvasive, simple nursing supports to patients with cancer experiencing nausea and vomiting, regardless of prognosis, but specialized supports were rarely used. A multisite cross-sectional study was conducted to clarify the types of nursing support provided by palliative care unit nurses in Japan. The study surveyed registered nurses from all 389 PCUs across Japan, and data were collected via online surveys from October 2023 to March 2024. The results showed that noninvasive, simple nursing supports such as avoiding unpleasant odors, providing shaved ice or ice chips, and providing fresh air were frequently implemented, while specialized supports like reiki, acupressure, and guided relaxation exercises were rarely or seldom used.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to clarify the types of nursing support provided by palliative care unit nurses in Japan to manage nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer who have a prognosis of months or weeks.
  • A total of 2448 nurses were invited to participate, with 539 (22.3%) responding to the online survey.
  • The most frequently implemented nursing supports were noninvasive and simple, such as avoiding unpleasant odors, providing shaved ice or ice chips, and providing fresh air.
  • Specialized supports like reiki, acupressure, and guided relaxation exercises were rarely or seldom used by palliative care nurses.
  • Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of these nursing supports.
  • The study highlights the importance of providing noninvasive and simple nursing supports to patients with cancer experiencing nausea and vomiting.
  • The results suggest that palliative care nurses in Japan rely heavily on noninvasive and simple nursing supports to manage symptoms in patients with cancer.

Statistics:

  • A total of 162 PCUs (41.6%) consented to participate in the study.
  • The entire study involved 389 PCUs across Japan.
  • The online survey for nurses was conducted from October 2023 to March 2024.
  • 539 (22.3%) of the 2448 nurses invited responded to the survey.
  • The frequency of noninvasive, simple nursing supports was evaluated using a five-point Likert scale.

Sources:

  • "Nursing Supports for Managing Nausea and Vomiting in Patients with Cancer Having a Prognosis of Months or Weeks: A Multisite Cross-Sectional Study of Palliative Care Nurses in Japan" Palliative Medicine Reports, 2025,6(1):71-75, Mary Ann Liebert, doi: 10.1089/pmr.2024.0093.
  • Health & Medicine Week, "Researchers at St. Luke's International University Report Research in Cancer (Nursing Supports for Managing Nausea and Vomiting in Patients with Cancer Having a Prognosis of Months or Weeks: A Multisite Cross-Sectional Study of Palliative Care ...)" May 30, 2025; p 4514.