scholarly journals Feasibility and acceptability of hypnosis-derived communication administered by trained nurses to improve patient well-being during outpatient chemotherapy: a pilot-controlled trial

Author(s):  
Caroline Arbour ◽  
Marjorie Tremblay ◽  
David Ogez ◽  
Chloé Martineau-Lessard ◽  
Gilles Lavigne ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose This pilot-controlled trial aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of hypnosis-derived communication (HC) administered by trained nurses during outpatient chemotherapy to optimize symptom management and emotional support — two important aspects of patient well-being in oncology. Methods The trial was conducted in two outpatient oncology units: (1) intervention site (usual care with HC), and (2) control site (usual care). Nurses at the intervention site were invited to take part in an 8-h training in HC. Participants’ self-ratings of symptoms and emotional support were gathered at predetermined time points during three consecutive outpatient visits using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale and the Emotional Support Scale. Results Forty-nine patients (24 in the intervention group, 25 in the control group) with different cancer types/stages were recruited over a period of 3 weeks and completed the study. All nurses (N = 10) at the intervention site volunteered to complete the training and were able to include HC into their chemotherapy protocols (about ± 5 min/intervention). Compared to usual care, patients exposed to HC showed a significant reduction in physical symptoms during chemotherapy. In contrast, perception of emotional support did not show any significant effect of the intervention. Participants exposed to HC report that the intervention helped them relax and connect on a more personal level with the nurse during chemotherapy infusion. Conclusions Our results suggest that HC is feasible, acceptable, and beneficial for symptom management during outpatient chemotherapy. While future studies are needed, hypnosis techniques could facilitate meaningful contacts between cancer patients and clinicians in oncology. Trial registration Clinical Trial Identifier: NCT04173195, first posted on November 19, 2019

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Randell ◽  
Rachel McNamara ◽  
Sue Delport ◽  
Monica Busse ◽  
Richard Hastings ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common lifelong condition affecting 1 in 100 people. ASD affects how a person relates to others and the world around them. Difficulty responding to sensory information (noise, touch, movement, taste, sight) is common, and might include feeling overwhelmed or distressed by loud or constant low-level noise (e.g. in the classroom). Affected children may also show little or no response to these sensory cues. These ‘sensory processing difficulties’ are associated with behaviour and socialisation problems, and affect education, relationships, and participation in daily life. Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT) is a face-to-face therapy or treatment, provided by trained occupational therapists who use play -based sensory-motor activities and the just-right challenge to influence the way the child responds to sensation, reducing distress, and improving motor skills, adaptive responses, concentration and interaction with others. With limited research into SIT, this protocol describes in detail how the intervention will be defined and evaluated. Methods: Two-arm pragmatic individually 1:1 Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) with internal pilot of SIT versus Usual Care (UC) for primary school aged children (4 to 11 years) with ASD and Sensory Processing (SP) difficulties. 216 children will be recruited from multiple sources. Therapy will be delivered in clinics meeting full fidelity criteria for manualised SIT over 26 weeks (face-to-face sessions: 2 per week for 10 weeks, 2 per month for 2 months; Telephone call: 1 per month for 2 months). Follow up assessments will be completed at 6 and 12 months post randomisation. Prior to recruitment: therapists will be invited to participate in focus groups/interviews to explore what is delivered as usual care in trial regions; carers will be invited to complete an online survey to map out their experience of services. Following recruitment: carers will be given diaries to record their contact with services. Following intervention, carer and therapist interviews will be completed. Discussion: Results of this trial will provide high quality evidence on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of SIT aimed at improving behavioural, functional, social, educational and well-being outcomes for children and well-being outcomes for carers and families. Trial registration: ISRCTN14716440. Registered 08/11/2016. http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14716440


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 216495611987044 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Anne Lown ◽  
Anu Banerjee ◽  
Eric Vittinghoff ◽  
Christopher C Dvorak ◽  
Wendy Hartogensis ◽  
...  

Background We describe the study design and protocol of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) Acupressure for Children in Treatment for a Childhood Cancer (ACT-CC). Objective To describe the feasibility and effectiveness of an acupressure intervention to decrease treatment-related symptoms in children in treatment for cancer or recipients of a chemotherapy-based hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Design Two-armed RCTs with enrollment of 5 to 30 study days. Setting Two pediatric teaching hospitals. Patients Eighty-five children receiving cancer treatment or a chemotherapy-based HSCT each with 1 parent or caregiver. Intervention Patients are randomized 1:1 to receive either usual care plus daily professional acupressure and caregiver delivered acupressure versus usual care alone for symptom management. Participants receive up to 20 professional treatments. Main Outcome A composite nausea/vomiting measure for the child. Secondary Outcomes Child’s nausea, vomiting, pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and positive affect. Parent Outcomes Depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress symptoms, caregiver self-efficacy, and positive affect. Feasibility of delivering the semistandardized intervention will be described. Linear mixed models will be used to compare outcomes between arms in children and parents, allowing for variability in diagnosis, treatment, and age. Discussion Trial results could help childhood cancer and HSCT treatment centers decide about the regular inclusion of trained acupressure providers to support symptom management.


2020 ◽  
pp. bjophthalmol-2019-315620
Author(s):  
Ryan Eyn Kidd Man ◽  
Alfred Tau Liang Gan ◽  
Marios Constantinou ◽  
Eva K Fenwick ◽  
Edith Holloway ◽  
...  

BackgroundTo assess the clinical and patient-centred effectiveness of a novel residential ocular care (ROC) model in Australian individuals residing in residential care.MethodsIn this prospective, multicentred, randomised controlled trial conducted in 38 Australian aged-care facilities (2015–2017), 178 visually impaired individuals living in residential care facilities (mean age ±SD: 83.9±8.6 years; 65.7% women) were cluster randomised to ROC (n=95) or usual care (n=83) pathways. The ROC arm comprised a tailored and comprehensive within-site eye examination and care rehabilitation pathway, while usual care participants were given a referral to an external eyecare provider. Outcomes included presenting distance and near visual acuity (PNVA); Rasch-transformed Reading, Emotional and Mobility scores from the Impact of Vision Impairment questionnaire; quality of vision (QoV comprising Rasch-transformed Frequency, Severity and Bother domains) scores; Euroqol-5-Dimensions (raw scores); Cornell Scale for Depression (raw scores) and 6-month falls frequency, assessed at baseline and 6 months post intervention. Within-group and between-group comparisons were conducted using linear mixed models, adjusted for baseline differences in characteristics between the two arms.ResultsAt 6 months, intention-to-treat analyses showed significant between-group improvements in ROC residents compared with usual care for PNVA, Emotional and QoV scores (all p<0.05) These significant findings were retained in per-protocol analyses. No other between-group changes were observed.ConclusionOur ROC model was effective in improving near vision, emotional well-being and perceived burden of vision-related symptoms in residential care dwellers in Australia with vision impairment. Future studies to evaluate the cost effectiveness and implementation of ROC in Australia are warranted.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (36) ◽  
pp. 4470-4476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Molassiotis ◽  
Joy Bardy ◽  
Jennifer Finnegan-John ◽  
Peter Mackereth ◽  
David W. Ryder ◽  
...  

Purpose We aimed to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in patients with breast cancer. Patients and Methods We conducted a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial comparing acupuncture with enhanced usual care. Three hundred two outpatients with breast cancer participated. We randomly assigned 75 patients to usual care and 227 patients to acupuncture plus usual care (random assignment of 1:3 respectively) with minimization controlling for baseline general fatigue and maintenance treatment. Treatment was delivered by acupuncturists once a week for 6 weeks through needling three pairs of acupoints. The usual care group received a booklet with information about fatigue and its management. Primary outcome was general fatigue at 6 weeks, measured with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI). Other measurements included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General quality-of-life scale, and expectation of acupuncture effect. Analyses were by intention to treat. Results Two hundred forty-six of 302 patients randomly assigned provided complete data at 6 weeks. The difference in the mean General Fatigue score, between those who received the intervention and those who did not, was −3.11 (95% CI, −3.97 to −2.25; P < .001). The intervention also improved all other fatigue aspects measured by MFI, including Physical Fatigue and Mental Fatigue (acupuncture effect, −2.36 and −1.94, respectively; both at P < .001), anxiety and depression (acupuncture effect, −1.83 and −2.13, respectively; both at P < .001), and quality of life (Physical Well-Being effect, 3.30; Functional Well-Being effect, 3.57; both at P < .001; Emotional Well-Being effect, 1.93; P = .001; and Social Functioning Well-Being effect, 1.05; P < .05). Conclusion Acupuncture is an effective intervention for managing the symptom of CRF and improving patients' quality of life.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9062-9062
Author(s):  
Egidio Del Fabbro ◽  
Rony Dev ◽  
David Hui ◽  
J. Lynn Palmer ◽  
Eduardo Bruera

9062 Background: Patients with advanced cancer experience anorexia and weight loss which impairs their quality of life. Prior studies suggest melatonin, a frequently used integrative medicine may attenuate weight loss, anorexia, fatigue, and depression. These studies were limited by a lack of blinding and absence of placebo controls. The primary objective of this study was to compare melatonin to placebo for appetite in patients with cachexia. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, 28 day trial of melatonin 20mg vs. placebo in patients with advanced lung or gastrointestinal cancer, appetite scores >3 on a 0 to 10 scale (10 = worst appetite) and a history of weight loss ≥ 5% within 6 months. Patients unable to maintain oral intake, thyroid or adrenal dysfunction, or with a karnofsky <40 were excluded from the study. The assessments included weight, symptom severity by Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and quality of life by the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT).Differences between groups from baseline to day 28 were analyzed using one-sided two sample t tests (appetite, pain and well-being) or Wilcoxon two-sample tests for the other variables. Interim analysis at half point had a Lan-DeMets monitoring boundary with an O’Brien-Fleming stopping rule. The decision boundaries for the interim test was to accept the null hypothesis of no treatment difference (futility) if the test statistic Z < 0.39 (p ≥ 0.348). Results: After interim analysis of 48 patients, the study was closed by the Data Safety Monitoring Board for futility. There were no significant differences between groups in appetite (p=0.78), weight (p= 0.17), FAACT score (p=0.95), insomnia (p=0.62) or other symptoms measured by the ESAS from baseline to day 28.No significant toxicities were observed. Conclusions: In cachectic patients with advanced cancer, 20mg oral Melatonin at night does not improve appetite, weight or quality of life compared to placebo.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 557-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan Basch ◽  
Allison M. Deal ◽  
Mark G. Kris ◽  
Howard I. Scher ◽  
Clifford A. Hudis ◽  
...  

Purpose There is growing interest to enhance symptom monitoring during routine cancer care using patient-reported outcomes, but evidence of impact on clinical outcomes is limited. Methods We randomly assigned patients receiving routine outpatient chemotherapy for advanced solid tumors at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to report 12 common symptoms via tablet computers or to receive usual care consisting of symptom monitoring at the discretion of clinicians. Those with home computers received weekly e-mail prompts to report between visits. Treating physicians received symptom printouts at visits, and nurses received e-mail alerts when participants reported severe or worsening symptoms. The primary outcome was change in health-related quality of life (HRQL) at 6 months compared with baseline, measured by the EuroQol EQ-5D Index. Secondary endpoints included emergency room (ER) visits, hospitalizations, and survival. Results Among 766 patients allocated, HRQL improved among more participants in the intervention group than usual care (34% v 18%) and worsened among fewer (38% v 53%; P < .001). Overall, mean HRQL declined by less in the intervention group than usual care (1.4- v 7.1-point drop; P < .001). Patients receiving intervention were less frequently admitted to the ER (34% v 41%; P = .02) or hospitalized (45% v 49%; P = .08) and remained on chemotherapy longer (mean, 8.2 v 6.3 months; P = .002). Although 75% of the intervention group was alive at 1 year, 69% with usual care survived the year (P = .05), with differences also seen in quality-adjusted survival (mean of 8.7 v. 8.0 months; P = .004). Benefits were greater for participants lacking prior computer experience. Most patients receiving intervention (63%) reported severe symptoms during the study. Nurses frequently initiated clinical actions in response to e-mail alerts. Conclusion Clinical benefits were associated with symptom self-reporting during cancer care.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153473542110022
Author(s):  
Suzanne J. Grant ◽  
Ki Kwon ◽  
Diana Naehrig ◽  
Rebecca Asher ◽  
Judith Lacey

Background: Patients with cancer are often impacted by a significant symptom burden. Cancer hospitals increasingly recognize the value of complementary and integrative therapies to support the management of cancer related symptoms. The aim of this study is to provide a better understanding of the demographic characteristics and symptoms experienced by cancer patients who access acupuncture services in a tertiary hospital in Australia. Methods: A retrospective audit was conducted of patients that presented to the acupuncture service at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse between July 2017 and December 2018. Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing (MYCaW) outcome measures were used. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Principal Component Analysis. Results: A total of 127 inpatients and outpatients (mean age 55, range 19-85) were included with 441 individual surveys completed (264 ESAS, 177 MYCaW). Patients were predominantly female (76.8%) and breast cancer was the most prevalent primary diagnosis (48%). The most prevalent symptoms in the ESAS were sleep problems (88.6%), fatigue (88.3%), lack of wellbeing (88.1%), and memory difficulty (82.6%). Similarly, symptoms with the highest mean scores were numbness, fatigue, sleep problems and hot flushes, whilst neuropathy, and hot flashes were scored as the most severe (score ≥7) by patients. Cluster analysis yielded 3 symptom clusters, 2 included “physical symptoms” (pain, sleep problems, fatigue and numbness/neuropathy), and (nausea, appetite, general well-being), whilst the third included “psychological” symptoms (anxiety, depression, spiritual pain, financial distress). The most frequent concerns expressed by patients (MyCaW) seeking acupuncture were side effects of chemotherapy (24.6%) and pain (20.8%). Conclusion: This audit highlights the most prevalent symptoms, the symptoms with the greatest burden and the types of patients that receive acupuncture services at an Australian tertiary hospital setting. The findings of this audit provide direction for future acupuncture practices and research in hospital settings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (7) ◽  
pp. 969-983
Author(s):  
Adeline M. Nyamathi ◽  
Benissa E. Salem ◽  
Maria Ekstrand ◽  
Kartik Yadav ◽  
Yen Le ◽  
...  

Treatment readiness is a key predictor of drug treatment completion, rearrest, and recidivism during community reentry; however, limited data exist among homeless female offenders (HFOs). The purpose of this study was to present baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of 130 HFOs who had been released from jail or prison. Over half (60.8%) of HFOs had a treatment readiness score of ≥40 ( n = 79, mean [μ] = 40.2, SD = 8.72). Bivariate analyses revealed that methamphetamine use, psychological well-being, and high emotional support were positively associated with treatment readiness. On the contrary, depressive symptomatology and depression/anxiety scores were negatively associated with the treatment readiness score. Multiple linear regression revealed that depressive symptomatology was negatively associated with treatment readiness (β = −0.377, p = .001). Further analyses revealed that the effect of emotional support on treatment readiness was mediated by depressive symptomatology.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-159
Author(s):  
Christina E. Loucas ◽  
Irene Sclare ◽  
Daniel Stahl ◽  
Daniel Michelson

AbstractBackground:‘DISCOVER’ one-day cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) workshops have been developed to provide accessible, developmentally sensitive psychological support for older adolescents experiencing emotional difficulties. Previous school-based evaluations of the DISCOVER model have shown positive outcomes.Aims:The current study aimed to test the model for clinically referred adolescents, in real-world settings.Method:A randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessed feasibility, acceptability and preliminary outcomes of the DISCOVER intervention, in comparison with usual care, for 15- to 18-year-olds with emotional difficulties. Participants were recruited from outpatient clinic waiting lists in UK child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). Research feasibility indicators included rates of recruitment, randomization, intervention participation (group workshops and individualized follow-up telephone calls), and data collection (at baseline and 8-week follow-up). Intervention acceptability was assessed using a structured service satisfaction questionnaire and semi-structured qualitative interviews with intervention participants. Preliminary clinical outcomes were explored using adolescent-reported validated measures of depression, anxiety and well-being.Results:n = 24 participants were randomized to intervention and usual care groups. Workshop attendance was good and high levels of treatment satisfaction were reported, although feasibility challenges emerged in recruitment and randomization. Trends were found towards potential improvements in anxiety and well-being for the intervention group, but the effect estimate for depression was imprecise; interpretability was also limited due to the small sample size.Conclusions:DISCOVER appears to be a feasible and acceptable intervention model for clinically referred 15- to 18-year-olds with emotional difficulties. A full-scale RCT is warranted to evaluate effectiveness; protocol modifications may be necessary to ensure feasible recruitment and randomization procedures.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Kelly M. Trevino ◽  
Amy Stern ◽  
Robin Hershkowitz ◽  
Soo Young Kim ◽  
Yuelin Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Anxiety is common in older adults with cancer (OACs) and their caregivers and is associated with poor outcomes including worse physical symptoms, poor treatment adherence and response, and longer hospitalizations. This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, adherence, and preliminary efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for OACs and their caregivers. Method Patients with active cancer age 65 years and older and their caregivers were randomized to Managing Anxiety from Cancer (MAC), a seven-session CBT-based psychotherapy intervention delivered over the telephone or usual care. Patients and caregivers completed the intervention separately with licensed social workers. Self-report measures of anxiety, depression, and quality of life were administered after randomization and following intervention completion. Analyses were conducted separately for patients and caregivers and at the dyad level. Hierarchical Linear Modeling accounted for the within-dyad intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) by random intercepts associated with the dyads. Results Twenty-nine dyads were randomized; 28 (96.6%) patients and 26 (89.7%) caregivers completed all study procedures. Of dyads randomized to MAC, 85.7% (n = 12) of patients and caregivers completed all seven sessions. Most patients (≥50%) and over 80% of caregivers rated the overall intervention and intervention components as “moderately” to “very” helpful. MAC was associated with a greater reduction in anxiety among dyads than usual care, the effect of MAC was greater in caregivers than in patients, and improvement in patient anxiety was associated with the reduction in caregiver anxiety. However, these results did not reach statistical significance. Significance of results This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of MAC and suggests strategies for improving acceptability, with a focus on adherence. Furthermore, these results indicate that MAC is promising for the reduction of anxiety in OAC–caregiver dyads and may be particularly beneficial for OAC caregivers. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of MAC.


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