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A SYNTHESIS OF RESEARCH RELATED TO MANAGEMENT OF HOT

FLASHES IN WOMEN RECEIVING CANCER TREATMENT
5037718 RAAN/M
.. ()

: , Ph. D. (NURSING),
, ..

()

.. 1998-2009
18 randomized controlled trial ( A) 13

(quasi-experimental) ( B) 5

4 ( 22.22)
3 ( 16.67) 3 ( 16.67) 2

( 11.11) 2 ( 11.11) 1 ( 5.56)

3 ( 16.67)

/ 1)
20 / 1 2

4
12 2)
45-60

4 3) 20 1 4)

 / 5

2 30 5 5)
1 120 8 6)

30

45-90 4

: / /
183

A SYNTHESIS OF RESEARCH RELATED TO MANAGEMENT OF HOT

FLASHES IN WOMEN RECEIVING CANCER TREATMENT
NUNNAPAS LAOHAWATNASERE 5037718 RAAN/M
M.N.S. (ADULT NURSING)
THEMATIC PAPER ADVISORY COMMITTEE: KANITHA HANPRASITKAM,
Ph. D. (NURSING), TUDSUANG POONYATHALANG, Ph. D. (NURSING)
ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to analyze and synthesize knowledge from
research on hot flash management in women receiving cancer treatment. The analysis
was conducted using 18 research reports published between 1998 and 2009. Of these,
13 were classified as randomized controlled trial experimental studies (Level A), and 5
were classified as quasi-experimental studies without random assignment (Level B).
Four studies (22.22%) were done on black cohosh, 3 (16.67%) on phytoestrogen, 3
(16.67%) on hypnosis, 2 (11.11%) on relaxation, 2 (11.11%) on acupuncture, 1 (5.56
%) on yoga, and 3 (16.67%) on cognitive and behavioral therapy.
The findings revealed that hot flash management is effective in reducing
the frequency, severity, and/ or interference of hot flashes including 1) the use of
herbs, black cohosh, 20 mg/tablet, twice a day, for four weeks extended to 12 months

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for those receiving tamoxifen; 2) hypnotherapy by expert hypnotherapists and selfpractice at home using a guiding sound record, for 45-60 minutes once a week for 4
weeks; 3) relaxation for 20 minutes once a day for a period of one month;
4) acupuncture for 30 minutes 2 times per week for 5 weeks; 5) yoga once a week for
120 minutes for 8 weeks; and 6) cognitive and behavioral therapy by eating low-fat,
high-fiber foods that contain soy or estrogen derived from plants, counseling by phone
about low-fat and high-fiber diets , and consumption of 30 grams of fiber per day.
Also done in cognitive and behavioral therapy were follow-ups to provide
comprehensive assessments of and individual consultations on menopause symptoms
lasting 45-90 minutes every two weeks for a period of 4 months, as well as the use of
instructional DVDs for cognitive and behavioral adaptation.
The results of the study can provide guidelines for hot flash management in
women after cancer treatment. However, since none of the articles reviewed was
undertaken in Thailand, further research is required to yield findings that are directly
applicable
to
the
Thai
population.

KEY WORDS: HOT FLASHES/ SYMPTOMS MANAGEMENT/ SYNTHESIS OF

RESEARCH
183 pages.