Persistent symptoms among survivors of hodgkin's disease: An explanatory model based on classical conditioning

Christine L. Cameron, David Cell, James E. Herndon, Alice B. Kornblith, Enid Zuckerman, Edward Henderson, Raymond B. Weiss, M. Robert Cooper, Richard T. Silver, Louis Leone, George P. Canellos, Bruce A. Peterson, Jimmie C. Holland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Persistent symptoms of nausea, distress, and vomiting triggered by reminders of cancer treatment were examined among 273 Hodgkin's disease survivors, 1 to 20 years posttreatment. Prevalence rates were high for distress and nausea but low for vomiting. Retrospective report of anticipatory symptoms during treatment was the strongest predictor of persistent symptoms, suggesting that treatment-induced symptoms are less likely to persist if conditioning does not occur initially. Time since treatment was also a significant predictor, with patients more recently treated more likely to experience persistent symptoms. Thus, an explanatory model based on classical conditioning theory successfully predicted presence of persistent symptoms. Symptoms also were associated with ongoing psychological distress, suggesting that quality of life is diminished among survivors with persistent symptoms. Recommendations for prevention and treatment of symptoms are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)71-75
Number of pages5
JournalHealth Psychology
Volume20
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

Keywords

  • Anticipatory side effects
  • Classical conditioning
  • Hodgkin's disease
  • Nausea
  • Psychological distress

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