Self-Management of Cancer

Author(s):  
Amy Deckert ◽  
Gerald M. Devins

Cancer self-management aims to minimize the physical and psychosocial suffering that people can experience due to cancer and its treatment. The self-management of cancer is important in light of changes to the cancer-care system that rely on the affected person to administer and follow treatments (e.g., chemotherapy) and to initiate changes to lifestyle (e.g., physical activity) or health behavior (e.g., smoking cessation) to maximize treatment benefits and prevent complications or recurrence. This chapter highlights distinctions between chronic medical conditions and cancer. It describes the essential elements of self-management programs and the application of self-management skills to the problems introduced by cancer. It reviews and critiques the cancer self-management literature in relation to four categories of self-management targets and offers suggestions for future research.

2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 206-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baukje Miedema ◽  
Andrea Bowes ◽  
Ryan Hamilton ◽  
Stacey Reading

Purpose: This study reports on the effect of a group-based nutrition and physical activity intervention program on nutrition knowledge and eating habits in a cohort of people with obesity. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-test measures. The intervention consisted of physical activity led by certified exercise physiologists and a nutritional education component led by registered dietitians over a 6-month period followed by 6 months of self-management. Participants’ nutrition knowledge and eating habits were assessed using the modified Nutrition Assessment, the Nutrition Knowledge Survey, and the Food Choice Questionnaires at baseline, after the 6-month intervention, and after 6 months of self-management. Results: Complete data were available for 59 (40%) of participants after 12 months because of attrition. Nutritional knowledge and behaviours improved. Participants reported increasing their consumption of healthy foods during the active intervention and maintained these changes through the self-management phase. Knowledge of healthy foods was improved and a greater likelihood of choosing food for weight control and health properties was reported. Conclusions: Knowledge and reported consumption of healthier nutrition improved during the active intervention and was maintained during the self-management period for individuals who completed the program. Registered dietitians can play an important role in managing patients with obesity in group settings.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghada Alhussein ◽  
Leontios Hadjileontiadis

BACKGROUND Osteoporosis is the fourth most common chronic disease in the world. Adopting preventative measures and effective self-management interventions help in improving bone health. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies can play a key role in osteoporosis patient care and self- management. OBJECTIVE This study presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of the currently available mHealth applications targeting osteoporosis self-management, aiming to determine the current status, gaps and challenges the future research could address, proposing appropriate recommendations. METHODS In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, Web of Science, and IEEExplore databases between Jan 1, 2010 and May 31, 2021, for all English publications that describe apps dedicated to or being useful for osteoporosis, targeting self-management, nutrition, physical activity, risk assessment, delivered on smartphone devices for young and older adults. In addition, a survey of all osteoporosis-related apps available in iOS and Android app stores as of May 31, 2021 was also conducted. Primary outcomes of interest were the prevention or reduction of unhealthy behaviours or improvement in healthy behaviours of the six behaviours. Outcomes were summarised in a narrative synthesis and combined using random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS In total, 3906 unique articles were identified. Of these, 32 articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed in depth. The 32 studies were comprising 14 235 participants, of whom on average 69.5% were female, with a mean age of 49.8 years (SD 17.8). The app search identified 23 relevant apps for osteoporosis self-management. The meta-analysis revealed that mHealth supported interventions resulted in a significant reduction in pain (Hedge’s g -1.09, 95%CI -1.68 to -0.45) and disability (Hedge’s g -0.77, 95%CI -1.59 to 0.05). The post-treatment effect of the digital intervention was significant for physical function (Hedge’s g 2.54, 95%CI -4.08 to 4.08); yet nonsignificant for wellbeing (Hedge’s g 0.17, 95% CI -1.84 to 2.17), physical activity (Hedges’ g 0.09, 95%CI -0.59 to 0.50), anxiety (Hedge’s g -0.29, 95%CI -6.11 to 5.53), fatigue (Hedge’s g -0.34, 95%CI -5.84 to 5.16), calcium (Hedge’s g -0.05, 95%CI -0.59 to 0.50) and vitamin D (Hedge’s g 0.10, 95% CI -4.05 to 4.26) intake, and trabecular score (Hedge’s g 0.06, 95%CI -1.00 to 1.12). CONCLUSIONS Osteoporosis apps have the potential to support and improve the management of the disease and its symptoms; they also appear to be a valuable tool for patients and health professionals. However, the majority of the apps that are currently available lack clinically validated evidence of their efficacy and they most focus on a limited number of symptoms. A more holistic and personalized approach, within a co-creation design ecosystem, is needed.


2002 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles B. Corbin

In recent years evidence has accumulated to document the importance of physical activity to lifelong health and fitness. This paper is based on the assumption that a primary goal of physical education is to promote lifetime physical activity. Common misconceptions are described and alternatives for change are proposed: (a) recognizing the unique physical activity needs of youth; (b) promoting opportunities for girls; (c) changing our focus from fitness to physical activity; (d) promoting self-esteem and feelings of competence among youth; (e) narrowing the scope of our objectives; and (f) emphasizing self-management skills in high school to help youth adopt active living as adults. The suggestions are based on scientific evidence and the author’s own experience.


Author(s):  
Antra Randoha

At the pre-scool age, playing is the main key to the child’s way to express them selfs in drawing process. In order to ensure the self-directed drawing, there is a need for the availability of diverse naterials throughout of the day, enabling the child to act and play in accordance with his intentions. In a drawing process, trying out different techniques, tools,mixing colors, trying to discover new ways of expression, observing and imitating other (children’s or adult) actions, provides the basic conditions for meaningful activity of a child. The aim of the thesis is to find out theoretically and practically the essence of self-directed drawing activity of preschool children and possibilities of the improvement of it in the pedagogical process. Materials and methods. Used the analysis of pedagogical and psychological literature on the possibilities of self-management skills development in the pedagogical process - drawing and accomplished pegogical observation. Results. The essence of self-directed drawing activity of preschool children was updated and possibilities of improvement reviewed .


1987 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline M Fowler ◽  
Penelope L Hoskins ◽  
S M Dunn ◽  
Thyra M Bolton ◽  
D K Yue ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
pp. 016264342093357
Author(s):  
Kinga Balint-Langel ◽  
Chengan Yuan ◽  
Youjia Hua

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) often have difficulties with self-management skills such as scheduling daily tasks for educational, vocational, and leisure purposes. In this study, we used a multiple probe across participant design to evaluate the effects of constant time delay in teaching young adults with IDD the necessary steps to schedule events and set reminders using the Calendar application (app). Three students with IDD in a postsecondary education setting participated in this study and acquired the steps required for programming events and their reminders in the Calendar app. In addition, two participants independently attended the scheduled events without additional reminders from adults. Limitations, future research, and practical implications are discussed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 344-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaclynn Hawkins ◽  
Daphne C. Watkins ◽  
Edith Kieffer ◽  
Michael Spencer ◽  
Gretchen Piatt ◽  
...  

This study explores gender values and beliefs among Latino and African American men with diabetes and examines how these values and beliefs may influence their health behaviors. Participants were recruited from individuals who participated in one of three Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health Detroit Partnership diabetes self-management interventions. One focus group was conducted with African American men ( n = 10) and two focus groups were conducted with Latino men ( n = 12) over a 3-month period. Sessions lasted 90 minutes, were audiotaped, and analyzed using thematic content analysis techniques. Two themes emerged that characterize gender identity and its relationship to health behavior in men: (a) men’s beliefs about being men (i.e., key aspects of being a man including having respect for themselves, authority figures, and peers; fulfilling the role as breadwinner; being responsible for serving as the leader of the family; and maintaining a sense of chivalry) and (b) influence of gender values and beliefs on health behavior (i.e., the need to maintain a strong image to the outside world, and the need to maintain control of themselves served as barriers to seeking out and engaging in diabetes self-management behaviors). Results suggest that gender values and beliefs may have implications for how health behaviors among men with diabetes. Future research should study the direct impact masculine identity has on health behaviors among men with diabetes.


2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (3S) ◽  
pp. 272-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill E. Preminger ◽  
Ann M. Rothpletz

PurposeHearing impairment (HI) is a chronic condition; thus, even with treatment, residual participation restrictions and activity limitations typically remain. Individuals must learn to self-manage their HI. The purpose of this research note is to review components of successful Internet-based self-management programs and to evaluate group auditory rehabilitation (AR) programs with varying content, in order to make recommendations for the design of future Internet-based self-management programs.MethodEffect sizes for changes in HI-specific quality of life following group AR activities from 4 published studies were calculated to determine if effect size varied systematically as a function of group activities. These findings are described using a self-management framework.ResultsSuccessful group AR activities include (a) psychosocial activities to promote role management, emotional management, and social support; (b) informational lectures and group discussion to promote education; (c) communication strategy exercises to promote self-efficacy and self-management skills; and (d) the inclusion of a frequent communication partner to promote social support and self-tailoring.ConclusionsIt is recommended that future Internet-based self-management programs focus on the mechanisms of social support and education to promote learning and self-management skills. Future research will determine if these AR activities may be implemented effectively via the Internet.


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