Clinical management of symptom clusters.

OBJECTIVES: To discuss the current evidence for the management of symptoms in clusters and future directions in symptom cluster management research.

DATA SOURCES: Research and review articles.

CONCLUSION: Currently no research has been reported on management of formally identified symptom clusters in oncology. Several researchers have described psychoeducational and exercise interventions that have decreased multiple concurrent symptoms. Understanding common biological mechanisms that underlie symptom clusters, such as inflammatory pathways, may suggest more effective treatments for symptom clusters.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Clinicians and researchers need to collaborate to better understand symptom clusters and develop effective interventions.