Art therapy and social function in palliative care patients: a mixed-method pilot study

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2019-001974
Author(s):  
Cédric Lefèvre ◽  
Guillaume Economos ◽  
Colombe Tricou ◽  
Élise Perceau-Chambard ◽  
Marilene Filbet

ObjectivesTo evaluate the influence of art therapy in reducing palliative symptoms, on social availability and on perceptions of aesthetics in hospitalised palliative care patients. The secondary objective was to evaluate its influence on bereaved families.MethodsA mixed-method quasi-experimental before and after study comprising a follow-up postal survey of bereaved families. All patients who were keen to have art therapy sessions were eligible. We used patient-reported outcome scales 5 min before and after the session. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale has been used for pain, anxiety, well-being, fatigue and depression. Ten-point visual analogue scales were used for social availability, lack of desire and wishes, and perceptions of aesthetics based on the Beautiful–Well–Good model. A postal survey was sent to bereaved families. Correlations and data mining analyses were performed.ResultsIn all, 24 patients were recruited for a total of 53 art therapy sessions analysed. Seven families completed the survey. Art therapy significantly reduced the assessed symptoms and overall symptom distress by 54.4% (p <0.001, d = 1.08). It also decreased the feeling of social unavailability (−59%, d = 0.67) and the lack of desire and wishes (−60%, d=0.86). The analysis of the family questionnaires indicates the positive effects regarding support, artwork and feelings during illness and grief.ConclusionOur results suggest an overall improvement in the symptoms experienced and social functioning of palliative patients. Based on our findings, we propose a model for the potential mechanism of action of art therapy.

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sriram Yennurajalingam ◽  
Yu Jung Kim ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Jichan Park ◽  
Joseph Arthur ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTObjective:The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with a feeling of well-being using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS)–Feeling of Well-Being item (ESAS–FWB; where 0 = best and 10 = worst) among advanced lung or non-colonic gastrointestinal cancer patients who were referred to an outpatient palliative care clinic (OPCC). We also examined the association of performance on the ESAS–FWB with overall survival (OS).Method:We reviewed the records of consecutive patients with incurable advanced lung cancer and non-colonic gastrointestinal cancer presenting to an OPCC from 1 January 2008 through to 31 December 2013. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize patient characteristics. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with ESAS–FWB severity. We also examined the association of ESAS–FWB scores and survival using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis.Results:A total of 826 evaluable patients were analyzed (median age = 62 years, 57% male). Median ESAS–FWB scores were five times the interquartile range (5 × IQR; 3–7). ESAS–FWB score was found to be significantly associated with ESAS fatigue (OR = 2.31, p < 0.001); anxiety (OR = 1.98, p < 0.001); anorexia (OR = 2.31, p < 0.001); cut down, annoyed, guilty, eye opener (CAGE) score (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.80, p = 0.008); and family caregiver distress (HR = 1.93, p = 0.002). A worse ESAS–FWB score was significantly associated with decreased OS (r = –0.18, p < 0.001). However, ESAS–FWB score was not independently associated with OS in the final multivariate model (p = 0.35), which included known major clinical prognostic factors.Conclusions:Worse ESAS–FWB scores were significantly associated with high scores on ESAS fatigue, anorexia, anxiety, CAGE, and family caregiver distress. More research is necessary to understand how palliative care interventions are capable of improving the contributory factors related to ESAS–FWB score.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karina Pedersen ◽  
Linda Björkhem-Bergman

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tactile massage (TM) on palliative care patients.MethodAn observational study at a hospice ward in Sweden was carried out. Forty-one palliative patients were offered TM, at an average of three treatments per patient. Before and after every treatment, self-assessed pain, well-being and anxiety according to the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (0–10) were recorded. In addition, the number of rescue doses for pain and anxiety was monitored 24 hours before and after the treatment and in two consecutive days before the patients were offered TM (control data).ResultsTM resulted in improvement of self-assessed pain by 1.7 points (SD 1.6), anxiety by 2.3 points (SD 2.0) and well-being by 2.6 points (SD 1.4). The number of rescue doses for pain was reduced from 1.6 to 0.84 doses/patient (P<0.001) and for anxiety from 0.52 to 0.24 doses/patient (P<0.01). The number of rescue doses was not changed in the same patients in two consecutive days before the patients were offered TM. The effect was evident already after the first treatment and did not increase further with repeated treatments. No patients reported any harmful effects of the treatment.ConclusionTM reduced the need for administration of rescue doses for pain and anxiety and improved well-being in palliative care patients. Larger randomised studies with parallel control groups are needed to confirm the findings from this observational pilot study.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1266.2-1266
Author(s):  
E. Vanautgaerden ◽  
M. Kaerts ◽  
W. Dankaerts ◽  
K. De Vlam ◽  
T. Swinnen

Background:Patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) encounter limitations during daily activities and societal participation which seriously impart health-related quality of life. Optimal management of axSpA consists of combined pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment modalities, including the encouragement of exercise and the consideration of physical therapy given the latter’s superior efficacy1. Few studies investigated the use of physical therapy and the alignment of treatment content with practice recommendations among patients with axSpA.Objectives:1) To estimate physical therapy use in patients with axSpA in a real life cohort; 2) to quantitatively and qualitatively describe the content of these physical therapy sessions; 3) explore possible determinants of physical therapy use and content.Methods:This cross-sectional study included 197 patients diagnosed with axSpA (Males/Females: 62.4/37.6%; mean±SD, age 42.6±12.0, BASDAI 3.7±2.1, BASFI 3.6±2.4, BASMI 3.1±1.8) and recruited during their routine consultation. The mixed-method approach included questionnaires (physical therapy use and content, medication, depression/anxiety (HADS), fear (TSK), physician global disease activity (PGDA)) and an in-depth qualitative interview (content of physical therapy). Interviews were analyzed using the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven by two physical therapists. Spearman’s Rho correlations guided the exploration of determinants of physical therapy use and content.Results:Less than half (42.6%, n=84) of the axSpA of patients were in treatment with a physiotherapist. Most patients (40.0%) reported a physical therapy frequency of 1x/week. Session duration was typically 30 minutes (51.7% of the sample) and longer in fewer cases (30.0%). Exercise was in only 31.7% the cornerstone of their sessions. The majority of subjects (53.3%) were classified as receiving ‘passive therapy only’, with 10% of cases in the ‘exercise only’ and 36.7% in the ‘combination therapy’ groups. Interviews also revealed a lack of clear patient-centered treatment goals. We found moderate associations between physical therapy use/content parameters and medication, spinal mobility, fear, anxiety, depression, physician’s global disease activity versus (p<.05), but no relationship with patient-reported pain or disease activity.Conclusion:Despite the importance of exercise and the added value of physical therapy in axSpA, few patients engaged in physical therapy sessions that include exercise training of adequate dosage. Remarkably, physical therapy utilization seems to be predominantly guided by psychological factors. Professional education for physical therapists should therefore include skills training in the management of complex clinical presentations2. Last, future research should prepare the evidence-based implementation of state-of-the-art physical therapy guidelines in axSpA.References:[1]van der Heijde D, et al. 2016 update of the ASAS-EULAR management recommendations for axial spondyloarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017 Jun;76(6):978-991.[2]Swinnen TW, et al. Widespread pain in axial spondyloarthritis: clinical importance and gender differences. Arthritis Res Ther. 2018 Jul 27;20(1):156.Disclosure of Interests:Evelyne Vanautgaerden: None declared, Marlies Kaerts: None declared, Wim Dankaerts: None declared, Kurt de Vlam Grant/research support from: Celgene, Eli Lilly, Pfizer Inc, Consultant of: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, UCB, Thijs Swinnen: None declared


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest Güell ◽  
Adelaida Ramos ◽  
Tania Zertuche ◽  
Antonio Pascual

AbstractObjective:We aimed to address the prevalence of desire-to-die statements (DDSs) among terminally ill cancer patients in an acute palliative care unit. We also intended to compare the underlying differences between those patients who make desire-to-die comments (DDCs) and those who make desire-for-euthanasia comments (EUCs).Method:We conducted a one-year cross-sectional prospective study in all patients receiving palliative care who had made a DDC or EUC. At inclusion, we evaluated symptom intensity, anxiety and depression, and conducted a semistructured interview regarding the reasons for these comments.Results:Of the 701 patients attended to during the study period, 69 (9.8%; IC95% 7.7–12.3) made a DDS: 51 (7.3%) a DDC, and 18 (2.5%) an EUC. Using Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) DDC group showed higher percentage of moderate-severe symptoms (ESAS > 4) for well-being (91 vs. 25%; p = 0.001), depression (67 vs. 25%; p = 0.055), and anxiety (52 vs. 13%; p = 0.060) than EUC group. EUC patients also considered themselves less spiritual (44 vs. 84%; p = 0.034). The single most common reason for a DDS was pain or physical suffering, though most of the reasons given were nonphysical.Significance of results:Almost 10% of the population receiving specific oncological palliative care made a DDC (7.3%) or EUC (2.5%). The worst well-being score was lower in the EUC group. The reasons for both a DDC and EUC were mainly nonphysical. We find that emotional and spiritual issues should be identified and effectively addressed when responding to a DDS in terminally ill cancer patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 490-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Austin ◽  
Roderick MacLeod

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this review was to investigate and review the concept of “peace” and the role it plays in the spiritual well-being and care of people with a chronic or terminal illness. Our objectives were, first, to examine the importance of peace in palliative care as a measure of acceptance and in chronic illness settings as a predictor of improved survival. Second, we explored the dimensions of peace and their relationships with spiritual well-being. We further examined how the constructs of peace are assessed both within valid spiritual well-being measures and as individual items related solely to peace. Finally, we examined therapies aimed at promoting peace and emotional well-being in palliative and chronic illness settings. Despite much being written about different constructs of peace and the positive effects of being at peace during times of illness, the effects of therapies on the feeling of peace are not well-studied.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 864-870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Reiser ◽  
Margaret Rosenzweig ◽  
Ann Welsh ◽  
Dianxu Ren ◽  
Barbara Usher

Background: Women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) experience unique symptom management and psychosocial needs due to aggressive, yet palliative treatment with a progressive, chronic illness. Objective: This article describes the effect of a quality improvement project for coordination of supportive care in MBC. Program evaluations included referral rates for supportive services, patient-reported outcomes of symptom distress, generalized anxiety, and overall well-being. Design: An interdisciplinary Support, Education and Advocacy Program (MBC-SEA) was developed. The 1-hour, weekly, patient review included collaborative assessments to determine needs for social service, psychological counseling, and palliative care. A prospective pre- and postexperimental cohort design with convenience sampling was used. Analysis was conducted with paired t test analysis of pre- and postimplementation outcomes. Setting/Participants: Program outcomes of 118 women with MBC visiting an urban outpatient breast cancer clinic during September 2016 to November 2016 (pre) and January 2017 to March 2017 (post) were evaluated. Measurements: Referral rates to social work and palliative care, symptom, anxiety, and overall well-being scores. Results: Following program implementation, referrals to palliative care and social work supportive services increased significantly including patient-reported outcomes symptom distress scores mean difference 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.4306-2.6428), P = .004; generalized anxiety scores mean difference 1.5 (95% CI: 0.5406-2.5781), P = .003; and overall well-being mean difference of −0.7 (95% CI: −1.3498 to −0.0570), P = .03. Conclusions: Purposeful nurse-led assessment for social service and palliative care needs increases referrals with improvement in patient-reported outcomes.


2020 ◽  
pp. 026921632095682
Author(s):  
Anne-Floor Q Dijxhoorn ◽  
Linda Brom ◽  
Yvette M van der Linden ◽  
Carlo Leget ◽  
Natasja JH Raijmakers

Background: In recent years there has been increasing attention for the prevalence and prevention of burnout among healthcare professionals. There is unclarity about prevalence of burnout in healthcare professionals providing palliative care and little is known about effective interventions in this area. Aim: To investigate the prevalence of (symptoms of) burnout in healthcare professionals providing palliative care and what interventions may reduce symptoms of burnout in this population. Design: A systematic literature review based on criteria of the PRISMA statement was performed on prevalence of burnout in healthcare professionals providing palliative care and interventions aimed at preventing burnout. Data sources: PubMed, PsycInfo and Cinahl were searched for studies published from 2008 to 2020. Quality of the studies was assessed using the method of Hawkers for systematically reviewing research. Results: In total 59 studies were included. Burnout among healthcare professionals providing palliative care ranged from 3% to 66%. No major differences in prevalence were found between nurses and physicians. Healthcare professionals providing palliative care in general settings experience more symptoms of burnout than those in specialised palliative care settings. Ten studies reported on the effects of interventions aimed at preventing burnout. Reduction of one or more symptoms of burnout after the intervention was reported in six studies which were aimed at learning meditation, improving communication skills, peer-coaching and art-therapy based supervision. Conclusion: The range of burnout among healthcare professionals providing palliative care varies widely. Interventions based on meditation, communication training, peer-coaching and art-therapy based supervision have positive effects but long-term outcomes are not known yet.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 160940692093339
Author(s):  
Yu-Te Huang

In 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. Such an historic shift in the legal landscape toward marriage equality in Taiwan presents a timely and unique opportunity to investigate the interplay of a lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB)-affirmative policy (i.e., marriage equality) and the well-being of LGB people. Existing quantitative studies on same-sex marriage have yielded compelling evidence about its positive effects on LGB individuals’ psychosocial health. However, no research has examined the relational dimension of the effect associated with same-sex marriage policy. Furthermore, a relational focus requires a researcher to solicit narratives from LGB young adults’ significant others (e.g., parents). This research project seeks to address these gaps by addressing whether legalization of same-sex marriage in Taiwan will improve Taiwanese LGB young adults’ relational well-being. Qualitative data were collected from 30 in-depth, dyadic interviews with 15 LGB young Taiwanese adults aged between 18 and 39 years and their parents. Each participant took part in two interviews conducted before and after the passage of the legalization of same-sex marriage, respectively. Transcribed interviews will be analyzed following an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) where we seek insight into a social actor’s inner perceptions in a wider context of social relationships. Multiple measures will be undertaken to ensure study rigor. Findings from this study will add to the evaluative endeavors of marriage equality policy enacted in Taiwan by highlighting relational well-being and the perspectives of LGB young adults’ relevant others.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 19-19
Author(s):  
YuJung Kim ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Ji Chan Park ◽  
David Hui ◽  
Gary B. Chisholm ◽  
...  

19 Background: The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) is one of the most commonly used assessment tools among oncologists and palliative care specialists caring advanced cancer patients. However, the inter-observer difference between the oncologist and palliative care specialist has never been reported. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who were first referred to an outpatient palliative care clinic in 2013 and identified 278 eligible patients. The ECOG PS assessments by palliative care specialists, nurses, and oncologists, and the symptom burden measured by Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) were analyzed. Results: According to the pairwise comparisons using Sign tests, palliative care specialists rated the ECOG PS grade significantly higher than oncologists (median 0.5 grade, P<0.0001) and nurses also rated significantly higher (median 1.0 grade, P<0.0001). The assessments of palliative care specialists and nurses were not significantly different (P=0.10). Weighted kappa values for inter-observer agreement were 0.26 between palliative care specialists and oncologists, and 0.61 between palliative care specialists and nurses. Palliative care specialists’ assessments showed a moderate correlation with fatigue, dyspnea, anorexia, feeling of well-being, and symptom distress score measured by ESAS. The ECOG PS assessments by all three groups were significantly associated with survival (P<0.001), but the assessments by oncologists could not distinguish survival of patients with PS 2 from 3. Independent predictors of discordance in PS assessments between palliative care specialists and oncologists were the presence of an effective treatment option (odds ratio [OR] 2.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-5.23) and poor feeling of well-being (≥4) by ESAS (OR 2.38, 95% CI 1.34-4.21). Conclusions: ECOG PS assessments by the palliative care specialists and nurses were significantly different from the oncologists. Systematic efforts to increase regular interdisciplinary meetings and communications might be crucial to bridge the gap and establish a best care plan for each advanced cancer patients.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Elhussein ◽  
Philip Benson

Abstract Background The objectives of this study were to investigate relationships between change in the aesthetic appearance before and after orthodontic treatment and patient-reported change in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and to assess the responsiveness of two OHRQoL measures to any changes from orthodontic treatment. Methods Two hundred and ten participants in a multicentre (two teaching hospitals and four specialist orthodontic practices), single blinded, randomised clinical trial with 2 parallel groups, were administered one of two age-specific questionnaires, either the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11-14-ISF-16) or the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ), before and after orthodontic treatment. Clinical photographs were assessed by two groups of laypeople and orthodontists using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need Aesthetic Component (IOTN-AC). Results Two hundred and ten participants were randomised, and 197 completed the trial. Before and after OHRQoL data were successfully obtained from 110 participants. There was a mean reduction in the total CPQ11-14-ISF-16 scores of 3.9 (SD = 8.0), and a mean reduction of 34.2 (SD = 18.5) in the total PIDAQ score. CPQ11-14-ISF-16 demonstrated poor longitudinal construct validity (p = 0.155). Correlations between the change in total CPQ11-14-ISF-16 scores and change in IOTN-AC assessments were small for both orthodontists (r=-0.084; p = 0.516) and laypeople (r=-0.140; p = 0.225). There were higher associations between the improvement in the Social well-being (SWB) subdomain and improvement in IOTN-AC. Correlations between the changes in total PIDAQ scores and the IOTN-AC assessments, were higher in comparison to the correlations with CPQ11-14-ISF-16 (orthodontists; r = 0.223, laypeople; r = 0.025). There were no adverse effects. Conclusion CPQ11-14-ISF-16 and IOTN-AC measure different attributes. This demonstrated the role of SWB on children OHRQoL. Condition-specific measures (PIDAQ) are more responsive to change in self-reported OHRQoL than generic measures (CPQ11-14-ISF-16) after treatment. Trial Registration: The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01925924.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document