Table 2 Descriptive summary of pre-chemotherapy cancer-related symptoms by treatment group.

Mean score (SD) for pain, (0–10 NRS)

1.25 (2.3)

1.68 (2.6)

Pain (≥ 1 NRS), n (%)

28 (36.8)

32 (42.1)

Significant pain (≥ 3 NRS), n (%)

13 (17.1)

18 (23.7)

Mean score (SD) for tiredness, (0–10 NRS)

2.14 (2.5)

2.11 (2.7)

Tiredness (≥ 1 NRS), n (%)

45 (59.2)

40 (52.6)

Significant tiredness (≥ 3 NRS), n (%)

29 (38.2)

24 (31.6)

Mean score (SD) for nausea, (0–10 NRS)

0.33 (0.9)

0.45 (1.5)

Nausea (≥ 1 NRS), n (%)

11 (14.5)

11 (14.5)

Significant nausea (≥ 3 NRS), n (%)

3 (3.9)

5 (6.6)

Mean score (SD) for depression, (0–10 NRS)

1.09 (1.7)

1.21 (2.2)

Depression (≥ 1 NRS), n (%)

31 (40.8)

26 (34.2)

Significant depression (≥ 3 NRS), n (%)

16 (21.1)

14 (18.4)

Mean score (SD) for anxiety, (0–10 NRS)

1.43 (2.0)

1.86 (2.7)

Anxiety (≥ 1 NRS), n (%)

39 (51.3)

35 (46.1)

Significant anxiety (≥ 3 NRS), n (%)

17 (22.4)

22 (28.9)

Mean score (SD) for drowsiness, (0–10 NRS)

1.76 (2.4)

1.66 (2.5)

Drowsiness (≥ 1 NRS), n (%)

41 (53.9)

32 (42.1)

Significant drowsiness (≥ 3 NRS), n (%)

20 (26.3)

20 (26.3)

Mean score (SD) for loss of appetite loss, (0–10 NRS)

1.36 (2.4)

1.57 (2.5)

Loss of appetite (≥ 1 NRS), n (%)

30 (39.5)

30 (39.5)

Significant loss of appetite (≥ 3 NRS), n (%)

14 (18.4)

19 (25)

Mean score (SD) for well-being, (0–10 NRS)

3.53 (2.7)

3.82 (2.7)

Poor well-being (≥ 1 NRS), n (%)

63 (82.9)

64 (84.2)

Significant poor well-being (≥ 3 NRS), n (%)

48 (63.2)

49 (64.5)

Mean score (SD) for difficulty of breathing, (0–10 NRS)

1.11 (1.7)

1.25 (2.0)

Difficulty of breathing (≥ 1 NRS), n (%)

32 (42.1)

29 (38.2)

Significant difficulty of breathing (≥ 3 NRS), n (%)

15 (19.7)

15 (19.7)