Ehret CJ, Le-Rademacher J, Storandt MH, Martin N, Rajotia A, Jatoi A. A randomized, double-blinded feasibility trial of educational materials for hiccups in chemotherapy-treated patients with cancer.
Support Care Cancer 2022;
31:30. [PMID:
36515742 PMCID:
PMC9748902 DOI:
10.1007/s00520-022-07457-w]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
Chemotherapy can cause hiccups but few randomized controlled trials have focused on hiccups. This trial examined the feasibility of such research.
METHODS
This single-institution, multi-site trial used phone recruitment for patients: (1) 18 years or older, (2) able to speak/read English, (3) with a working e-mail address, (4) with hiccups 4 weeks prior to contact, and (5) with ongoing oxaliplatin or cisplatin chemotherapy. The primary outcome was feasibility. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two sets of educational materials, each of which discussed hiccups and palliative options. The experimental materials were almost identical to the standard materials but provided updated content based on the published medical literature. At 2 weeks, patients responded by phone to a 5-item verbally administered questionnaire.
RESULTS
This trial achieved its primary endpoint of recruiting 20 eligible patients within 5 months; 50 patients were recruited in 3 months. Among the 40 patients who completed the follow-up questionnaire, no statistically significant differences between arms were observed in hiccup incidence since initial contact, time spent reviewing the educational materials, and the troubling nature of hiccups. Twenty-five patients tried palliative interventions (13 in the experimental arm and 12 in the standard arm), most commonly drinking water or holding one's breath. Eleven and 10 patients, respectively, described hiccup relief after such an intervention.
CONCLUSIONS
Clinical trials for chemotherapy-induced hiccups are feasible and could address an unmet need.
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