The antiemetic effect of magnetotherapy in chemotherapy patients

Abstract

Objective To observe and compare the antiemetic effectiveness and adverse effects of magnetotherapy plus the 5 -hydroxytryptamine (5-HT3 ) receptor inhibitor granisetron hydrochloride with that of granisetron hydrochloride alone with chemotherapy patients. Methods Sixty-four patients were randomized to receive either granisetron hydrochloride alone ( control group: granisetron hydrochloride 3 mg intravenous infusion before chemotherapy, from the 1st day of chemotherapy until the day after the chemotherapy course was completed) or magnetotherapy plus granisetron hydrochloride ( treatment group: the same granisetron hydrochloride regimen plus rotatory magnetotherapy of 1 h/time every day after chemotherapy). The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. The patients' emesia was evaluated according to the WHO's criteria. The density of 5-HT, in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA). Results In terms of acute vomiting, there was no significant difference between the two groups, but in terms of tardive vomiting, the effectiveness in the treatment group was significantly better than in the control group. The densities of S-HT, in serum in the treatment and the control group were (225.32±57.29 ) ng/ml vs (213.00±53.29 ) ng/ml before chemotherapy and (273.88±5.42) ng/ml vs ( 313.17±76.36 ) ng/ml after chemotherapy, a significant difference. The rates of adverse events were 36.36% and 48.39% respectively in the treatment group and control group, a difference which was not significant. Conclusions Magnetotherapy plus granisetron hydrochloride is more effective than granisetron hydrochloride alone, and the two therapies have a synergistic effect. Adverse events didn't rise in the treatment group. Key words: Magnetotherapy; 5-Hydroxytryptamine receptor inhibitor; Chemotherapy; Vomiting