Using Serious Games to Increase Prevention and Self-Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Older Adults With Cancer.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the frequency and types of preventive and self-management behaviors reported by participants, as well as report acceptability and usability data for the electronic Symptom Self-Management Training-Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV) serious game.

SAMPLE &

SETTING

80 adults who were aged 60 years or older and newly diagnosed with cancer were recruited from a community cancer center.

METHODS & VARIABLES: Participants were randomized to an intervention or control group. A symptom management checklist was used to record preventive and self-management behaviors used after each chemotherapy treatment at home. Acceptability and usability were assessed using a brief survey.

RESULTS

The intervention group reported using more preventive behaviors, and the control group reported using more self-management behaviors. Antiemetics were the most common strategy used, followed by dietary strategies. Participants rated all aspects of the serious game highly for usability and acceptability.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Oncology providers can help older adults plan for self-managing treatment-related side effects at home. Recording self-management behaviors may reinforce the importance of active prevention and management of CINV.