Manusirivithaya, S., Sripramote, M., Tangjitgamol, S., Sheanakul, C., Leelahakorn, S., Thavaramara, T., et al. (2004). Antiemetic effect of ginger in gynecologic oncology patients receiving cisplatin. International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer, 14, 1063-1069.

To determine the potential antiemetic effect of ginger in cisplatin-induced emesis

Patients were randomized to one of two groups. In regimen A, patients received 1 g of ginger per day for five days starting on the first day of chemotherapy. In regimen B, patients received a placebo on day one and metoclopramide on days two through five.

• The study consisted of 48 patients.
• All patients were female.
• All patients were being treated for gynecologic cancers and were receiving cisplatin chemotherapy.

The study was conducted in Bangkok, Thailand.

Investigators assessed nausea and vomiting on day one. On days 2-5, patients recorded the presence and intensity of emetic episodes on diary cards.

In regimen A, no effect was found in acute or delayed treatment. In regimen B, ginger had the same control as 40 mg metoclopramide for delayed nausea.

• The sample size was small.
• Comparing antiemetics was difficult because the study did not use 5-HT₃ antiemetics.