A total of 54 studies were included, of which 23 were RCTs (at least 924 patients).
Nausea and vomiting (23 studies, including 13 RCTs with 401 patients).
Studies supported the effectiveness of behavioural interventions in controlling anticipatory nausea and vomiting. Twelve of the 13 RCTs reported a statistically-significant benefit from behavioural interventions when compared with a no treatment or attention control interventions. Modest results were found in the 4 studies that assessed behavioural interventions in post-chemotherapy side-effects.
Anxiety and distress (19 studies, including 5 RCTs with at least 380 patients).
Four of the 5 RCTs reported a significant benefit from behavioural interventions when compared with a no treatment or attention control intervention. Thirteen of the 14 studies of a non-RCT design found a significant benefit for behavioural interventions.
Cancer treatment-related pain (12 studies, including 5 RCTs with at least 143 patients).
Four of the 5 RCTs reported a significant benefit in reducing acute cancer treatment-related pain from behavioural interventions, compared with a no treatment or attention control. All 7 of the studies of non-RCT design found a reduction in pain post-intervention.
No studies were identified that addressed the effectiveness of behavioural interventions in prolonged pain.