Impact of Self-Acupressure on Co-Occurring Symptoms in Cancer Survivors

AbstractBackgroundCancer survivors with fatigue often experience depressive symptoms, anxiety, and pain. Previously, we reported that self-acupressure improved fatigue; however, its impact on other co-occurring symptoms and their involvement in treatment action has not been explored.MethodsChanges in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and pain were examined prior to and following two formulas of self-acupressure and usual care using linear mixed models in 288 women from a previously reported clinical trial. Participants were categorized by random assignment into one of three groups: 1) relaxing acupressure, 2) stimulating acupressure, or 3) usual care. Moderators investigated were body mass index, age, depressive symptoms, anxiety, sleep and pain, and mediators were change in these symptoms.ResultsFollowing treatment, depressive symptoms improved statistically significantly for the relaxing acupressure group (41.5%) compared with stimulating acupressure (25%) and usual care (7.7%). Both acupressure groups were associated with greater improvements in anxiety than usual care, but only relaxing acupressure was associated with greater reductions in pain severity, and only stimulating acupressure was associated with greater reductions in pain interference. There were no statistically significant moderators of sleep quality, anxiety, or depressive symptoms. Fatigue statistically significantly moderated pain, and age statistically significantly modified fatigue. Changes in depressive symptoms and sleep quality statistically significantly mediated the relationship between relaxing acupressure and usual care on fatigue; however, the effect was small.ConclusionsAcupressure was associated with greater improvements than usual care in anxiety, pain, and symptoms of depression in breast cancer survivors with troublesome fatigue. These findings warrant further evaluation in suitably controlled randomized trials.

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Coping Strategies and Benefit-finding in the Relationship between Non-disclosure and Depressive Symptoms among Breast Cancer Survivors in China

American Journal of Health Behavior ◽

10.5993/ajhb.41.4.1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (4) ◽

pp. 368-377 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Minsun Lee ◽

Yuan Song ◽

Lin Zhu ◽

Grace X. Ma

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Benefit Finding ◽

The Relationship

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Examining the relationship between social cognitive processing and depressive symptoms in long-term breast cancer survivors and their partners.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2016.34.3_suppl.191 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽

pp. 191-191

Author(s):

Andrea A Cohee ◽

Victoria Champion

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Cognitive Processing ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Social Cognitive ◽

Social Constraints ◽

Social Cognitive Processing ◽

The Relationship

191 Background: Breast cancer survivors (BCS) and their partners frequently report distress, including depressive symptoms after diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. The Social Cognitive Processing Theory (SCPT) has been useful in identifying predictors of both BCS and partner distress, although most studies have occurred early in survivorship. Relationships between SCPT variables and depressive symptoms in long-term BCS and their partners have not been well explored. The purpose of this study is to test relationships between SCPT variables and depressive symptoms in long-term BCS and their partners. Methods: In a large cross-sectional study, BCS (N = 222), who were 3-8 years from diagnosis, and their partners completed a survey assessing demographic characteristics, social constraints, cognitive processing (intrusive thoughts and cognitive avoidance), and depressive symptoms. Mediation analyses were conducted for survivors and partners separately to determine if cognitive processing would mediate the relationship between social constraints and depressive symptoms. Results: Cognitive processing mediated the relationship between social constraints and depressive symptoms both for BCS [F(5,209) = 16.373, R2= .281, p < .001] and partners [F(4, 216) = 8.281, R2= .133, p < .001), controlling for age, education, and survivors’ time since diagnosis. Although included in the model, demographic variables did not significantly predict depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Relationships in the SCPT were confirmed; cognitive processing mediated the relationship between social constraints and depressive symptoms for both long-term BCS and their partners. Results expand the utility of the SCPT in long-term survivors and their partners by supporting its use in intervention design.

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Supplemental Material for Improvements in Emotion Regulation Following Mindfulness Meditation: Effects on Depressive Symptoms and Perceived Stress in Younger Breast Cancer Survivors

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology ◽

10.1037/ccp0000186.supp ◽

2017 ◽

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Emotion Regulation ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Mindfulness Meditation

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Disparities in access to mobile devices and e-health literacy among breast cancer survivors

Supportive Care in Cancer ◽

10.1007/s00520-021-06407-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Zoe Moon ◽

Mira Zuchowski ◽

Rona Moss-Morris ◽

Myra S. Hunter ◽

Sam Norton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Mobile Devices ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Social Deprivation ◽

Logistic Regressions ◽

Widespread Access ◽

The Relationship ◽

Questionnaire Pack

Abstract Background The number of e-health interventions developed for breast cancer survivors continues to increase. However, issues with engagement and retention are common. This study aimed to explore e-health literacy rates and access to smartphones and tablets in a large sample of breast cancer survivors. Methods In study 1, women were recruited from outpatient breast clinics across England and Wales. Eligible women were asked to complete a questionnaire pack to assess their access to devices and their e-health literacy. Multiple regression analyses were run to assess the relationship between technology access and e-health literacy with sociodemographic variables such as age, social deprivation, and education. Study 2 presents a smaller sample recruited through social media who answered a questionnaire relating to use of mobile devices and e-health, and apps. Results Two thousand nine women participated in the study. Seventy-one percent had access to a smartphone, 54% had access to a tablet, and 20% did not have access to either device. Multiple logistic regressions showed that women who were younger, had higher levels of education, and who were from less deprived areas were more likely to have access to either device. Poorer e-health literacy was associated with being older, having less education, and not having access to a mobile device. Conclusions Whilst the results show relatively widespread access to mobile devices, there is evidence of a digital divide across some groups. Online interventions should be developed with consideration of individuals who are less e-health-literate and less technologically adept in order to increase the likelihood of engagement.

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Understanding the relationship between positive and negative social support and the quality of life among African American breast cancer survivors

Supportive Care in Cancer ◽

10.1007/s00520-021-06098-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shaila M. Strayhorn ◽

Nyahne Q. Bergeron ◽

Desmona C. Strahan ◽

Dana Villines ◽

Veronica Fitzpatrick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Support ◽

African American ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

The Relationship

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Fatigue among Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors: A Controlled Cross-Sectional Study

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13061301 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 1301

Author(s):

Saskia W. M. C. Maass ◽

Daan Brandenbarg ◽

Liselotte M. Boerman ◽

Peter F. M. Verhaak ◽

Geertruida H. de Bock ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

General Practitioner ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Reference Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Symptoms Of Depression

Background: Fatigue is the most common and persistent symptom among women in the first five years after a breast cancer diagnosis. However, long-term prevalence of fatigue, among breast cancer survivors, needs further investigation. Aim: To compare fatigue experienced by long-term breast cancer survivors with that in a reference population and to evaluate the determinants of that fatigue. Design and Setting: A cross-sectional cohort study of 350 breast cancer survivors ≥5 years after diagnosis and a reference population of 350 women matched by age and general practitioner. Method: Fatigue was measured using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), and a sum score of >60 (multidimensional fatigue) was the primary outcome. Logistic regression was applied to compare the prevalence of multidimensional fatigue between the survivor and reference populations, adjusted for body mass index (BMI) and for cardiovascular and psychological variables. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were estimated. Logistic regression was applied to evaluate the determinants of multidimensional fatigue among the survivors. Results: Breast cancer survivors (median 10 years after diagnosis), more often experienced multidimensional fatigue than the reference population (26.6% versus 15.4%; OR, 2.0 [95%CI, 1.4–2.9]), even after adjusting for confounders. The odds of multidimensional fatigue were also higher among survivors with symptoms of depression (32.2% versus 2.7%; OR, 17.0 [95%CI, 7.1–40.5]) or anxiety (41.9% versus 10.1%; OR, 6.4 [95%CI, 3.6–11.4]). Conclusion: One in four breast cancer survivors experience multidimensional fatigue and fatigue occurs more frequently than in women of the same age and general practitioner. This fatigue appears to be associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety.

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The gray matter volume of the right insula mediates the relationship between symptoms of depression/anxiety and sleep quality among college students

Journal of Health Psychology ◽

10.1177/1359105319869977 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 135910531986997 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Huazhan Yin ◽

Li Zhang ◽

Dan Li ◽

Lu Xiao ◽

Mei Cheng

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Gray Matter ◽

Emotional Processing ◽

Gray Matter Volume ◽

Critical Role ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Matter Volume ◽

The Right ◽

The Relationship

This study investigated the neuroanatomical basis of the association between depression/anxiety and sleep quality among 370 college students. The results showed that there was a significant correlation between sleep quality and depression/anxiety. Moreover, mediation results showed that the gray matter volume of the right insula mediated the relationship between depression/anxiety and sleep quality, which suggested that depression/anxiety may affect sleep quality through the right insula volume. These findings confirmed a strong link between sleep quality and depression/anxiety, while highlighting the volumetric variation in the right insula associated with emotional processing, which may play a critical role in improving sleep quality.

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Randomized Exercise Trial of Aromatase Inhibitor–Induced Arthralgia in Breast Cancer Survivors

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2014.57.1547 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 33 (10) ◽

pp. 1104-1111 ◽

Cited By ~ 145

Author(s):

Melinda L. Irwin ◽

Brenda Cartmel ◽

Cary P. Gross ◽

Elizabeth Ercolano ◽

Fangyong Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Strength Training ◽

Aerobic Exercise ◽

Usual Care ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Joint Pain ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Pain Scores ◽

The Impact

Purpose Arthralgia occurs in up to 50% of breast cancer survivors treated with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and is the most common reason for poor AI adherence. We conducted, in 121 breast cancer survivors receiving an AI and reporting arthralgia, a yearlong randomized trial of the impact of exercise versus usual care on arthralgia severity. Patients and Methods Eligibility criteria included receiving an AI for at least 6 months, reporting ≥ 3 of 10 for worst joint pain on the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and reporting < 90 minutes per week of aerobic exercise and no strength training. Participants were randomly assigned to exercise (150 minutes per week of aerobic exercise and supervised strength training twice per week) or usual care. The BPI, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire were completed at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Intervention effects were evaluated using mixed-model repeated measures analysis, with change at 12 months as the primary end point. Results Over 12 months, women randomly assigned to exercise (n = 61) attended 70% (± standard deviation [SD], 28%) of resistance training sessions and increased their exercise by 159 (± SD, 136) minutes per week. Worst joint pain scores decreased by 1.6 points (29%) at 12 months among women randomly assigned to exercise versus a 0.2-point increase (3%) among those receiving usual care (n = 60; P < .001). Pain severity and interference, as well as DASH and WOMAC pain scores, also decreased significantly at 12 months in women randomly assigned to exercise, compared with increases for those receiving usual care (all P < .001). Conclusion Exercise led to improvement in AI-induced arthralgia in previously inactive breast cancer survivors.

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