Online follow-up with mobile device improves incurable cancer patients’ coping – A qualitative study

Background: Up to 80% of cancer patients experience insomnia that significantly affects their quality of life. This pilot qualitative study investigated the feasibility and effects of a 3-week Qigong (mind-body exercise) intervention with a 1-week follow-up in cancer patients experiencing insomnia. Methods: Cancer patients with insomnia who had completed radiotherapy or chemotherapy treatment and/or were at least 8 weeks post-cancer-related surgery were recruited. Primary outcomes were feasibility outcomes, which included recruitment, retention, attendance, completion of assessment, adverse events and participant feedback via a questionnaire and focus group/individual interview. Secondary outcomes on insomnia severity and sleep quality were measured using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at baseline, mid, post-intervention and follow-up. Results: Seven participants were recruited and two withdrew from the study. The participant retention rate was 71.4% with an overall attendance rate of more than 84% and participants were able to complete all required assessments. An adverse event relating to the worsening of existing musculoskeletal condition was reported. Qualitative analysis of participant feedback identified 4 emerging themes: (1) experience from Qigong intervention; (2) class preferences; (3) barriers to participation; and (4) recommendation for improvement. Participants reported increased relaxation, improved sleep and energy level, better upper body flexibility and reduced stress. Both ISI and PSQI scores improved significantly ( P < .05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that it is feasible to employ the current clinical trial design using Qigong intervention on insomnia in cancer patients. Preliminary data suggest that the intervention may improve sleep outcomes, however, these findings need to be confirmed by future robust randomized controlled trials. Trial registration: The trial was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12618001670268) http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12618001670268.aspxon10October2018 .

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“I wish I’d told them”: A qualitative study examining the unmet psychosexual needs of prostate cancer patients during follow-up after treatment

Patient Education and Counseling ◽

10.1016/j.pec.2010.07.006 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 84 (2) ◽

pp. 200-207 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

Rosaleen O’Brien ◽

Peter Rose ◽

Christine Campbell ◽

David Weller ◽

Richard D. Neal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Cancer Patients

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A qualitative study of home visiting as a palliative care strategy to follow‐up cancer patients by nurses in clinical setting in a developing country

Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences ◽

10.1111/scs.12619 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 185-196

Author(s):

Akon Ndiok ◽

Busisiwe Ncama

Keyword(s):

Palliative Care ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Developing Country ◽

Clinical Setting ◽

Home Visiting

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Impact of an exercise programme on sustaining physical activity for recovering cancer patients: A qualitative study.

European Journal for Person Centered Healthcare ◽

10.5750/ejpch.v4i1.1077 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 230

Author(s):

Martyn Queen ◽

Saul Bloxham ◽

Phil Brown ◽

Melissa Coyle ◽

Ben Jane

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Exercise Programme ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Physically Active ◽

Physical Activity Programme ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

The Impact

Background Pedometers have been shown to improve adherence to exercise programmes. Evidence suggests that PA can improve physical function, wellbeing and reduce the negative impact of some cancer related side-effects. Yet, there are limited PA guidelines for cancer patients in the UK. The aim was to examine the impact of an 8-week exercise programme on sustaining physical activity (PA) at 3-month follow-up. Method A qualitative study with 12 mixed site cancer patients aged 43-70 (10 women, 2 men), involved in an 8-week exercise programme. The Programme took place at a University in the South West of England, UK. Semi-structured interviews with patients took place 3 times over 6 months. A grounded theory approach was used to analyse the data. Results We found that the number of patients perceived to be physically active prior to take-up of the physical activity programme were low (20%). At completion, most patients reported being physically active (84%), sustained but to a lesser extent (67%) at 3-month follow-up. Explanations for sustained PA at follow-up included application of knowledge gained from the Programme in relation to walking technique and use of pedometers and perceived health and fitness gains. Explanations for those not physically active included new diagnosis, reduced mobility following surgery and lack of clear exit route or progression to another structured opportunity. Conclusion Our study has provided valuable insight into how a supervised multi-modal physical activity programme can enable recovering cancer patients to develop a physically active lifestyle.

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Access to Palliative Care for Critically Ill Cancer Patients in Mexico

Journal of Palliative Care ◽

10.1177/08258597211014365 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 082585972110143

Author(s):

Silvio A. Ñamendys-Silva ◽

Adán R. López-Zamora ◽

Bertha M. Córdova-Sánchez ◽

Luis A. Sánchez-Hurtado ◽

Francisco J. García-Guillén ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Palliative Care ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Critically Ill ◽

Palliative Care Team ◽

Care Team ◽

Incurable Cancer ◽

Qsofa Score

Objective: To determine the outcomes of hospitalized cancer patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) intervention and receiving palliative care. Materials and Methods: An observational retrospective study was completed at a single academic critical care unit in Mexico City. All hospitalized cancer patients who were evaluated by the intensive care team to assess need for ICU were included between January and December 2018. Results: During the study period, the ICU group made 408 assessments of critically ill cancer patients in noncritical hospitalized areas. In total, 24.2% (99/408) of the patients in this population were consulted by the palliative care team. Of the patients evaluated, 46.5% (190/408) had advanced stage, but only 28.4% were receiving care by the palliative care team. The only risk factor for hospital mortality in the multivariate analysis was the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) score at the time of the consultation by the ICU group (HR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.34-3.29, p = 0.001). The median time between palliative care consultation and death was 3 days (IQR = 2-22). A total of 63% (37/58) of patients who were discharged from the hospital died during follow-up. The median follow-up time was 55 days (95% CI = 26.9-83.0). The overall mortality rate for the entire group during hospitalization and after hospital discharge was 80.8% (80/99). Conclusion: Fewer than 3 out of 10 hospitalized cancer patients requiring admission to the ICU were evaluated by the palliative care team despite having incurable cancer. The qSOFA score of patients at the time of the ICU consultation was the only risk factor for mortality during hospitalization. Future research efforts in Mexico should focus on earlier integration of palliation care with usual oncology care in incurable cancer patients.

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