Symptom Experiences: Perceptual Accuracy Between Advanced-Stage Cancer Patients and Family Caregivers in the Home Care Setting

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (16) ◽  
pp. 3495-3507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle M. Lobchuk ◽  
Lesley F. Degner
Keyword(s):  
Home Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Care Setting ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Absolute Difference ◽  
Advanced Stage ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Symptom Experiences ◽  
Advanced Stage Cancer

PURPOSE: This study used a comparative descriptive design to compare family caregivers’ and advanced-stage cancer patients’ perceptions of patients’ multidimensional symptom experiences on presence, frequency, severity, and distress. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A convenience sample of 98 dyads, composed of advanced-stage heterogeneous cancer patients and their caregivers, completed the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale in the home care setting on a one-time basis. This scale is a 32-item Likert-type scale for assessing the presence, frequency, severity, and distress arising from symptoms in cancer patients. RESULTS: There was confirmation of trends previously described in related studies where, for example, caregivers tend to overreport on symptom experiences. However, the degree of absolute difference between patient and caregiver responses was normally around 1 unit (on a theoretical range of 0 to 4 units). Levels of patient-caregiver agreement were better on more concrete questions related to symptom frequency, severity, and distress than on broad questions related to the presence of a symptom. Patients and caregivers achieved better levels of agreement on physical versus psychological symptoms. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that family caregivers can provide reasonable proxy or complementary reports on patient symptom experiences of frequency, severity, and distress. However, family caregivers have greater difficulty in achieving high levels of accuracy on psychological versus physical symptoms.

The conjoint use of music therapy and reflexology with hospitalized advanced stage cancer patients and their families

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 289-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucanne Magill ◽  
Susan Berenson
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Advanced Stage ◽  
Spiritual Struggles ◽  
Patients Experience ◽  
Advanced Stage Cancer

ABSTRACTAdvanced stage cancer patients experience debilitating physical symptoms as well as profound emotional and spiritual struggles. Advanced disease is accompanied by multiple changes and losses for the patient and the family. Palliative care focuses on the relief of overall suffering of patients and families, including symptom control, psychosocial support, and the meeting of spiritual needs. Music therapy and reflexology are complementary therapies that can soothe and provide comfort. When used conjointly, they provide a multifaceted experience that can aid in the reduction of anxiety, pain, and isolation; facilitate communication between patients, family members, and staff; and provide the potential for a more peaceful dying experience for all involved. This article addresses the benefits of the combined use of music therapy and reflexology. Two case studies are presented to illustrate the application and benefits of this dual approach for patients and their families regarding adjustment to the end of life in the presence of anxiety and cognitive impairment.

A Pilot Study Evaluating the Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Psychological Status, Physical Status, Salivary Cortisol, and Interleukin-6 Among Advanced-Stage Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 170-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecile A. Lengacher ◽  
Kevin E. Kip ◽  
Michelle Barta ◽  
Janice Post-White ◽  
Paul B. Jacobsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
Salivary Cortisol ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Advanced Stage ◽  
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
Advanced Stage Cancer

Purpose: To investigate whether a mindfulness-based stress reduction program for cancer (MBSR-C) improved psychological and physical symptoms, quality of life (QOL), and stress markers among advanced-stage cancer patients and caregivers. Design: A pilot within-subject design was used. Method: Patients previously diagnosed with advanced-stage breast, colon, lung, or prostate cancer and on treatment were recruited from the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. Twenty-six patient–caregiver dyads completed a modified 6-week, self-study MBSR-C program based on the Kabat–Zinn model. Psychological and physical symptoms and QOL were compared pre– and post–MBSR-C sessions. Salivary cortisol and interleukin-6 were assessed pre– and post–MBSR-C session at 1, 3, and 6 weeks. Findings: Following the 6-week MBSR program, patients showed improvements in stress and anxiety (p < .05); caregivers’ psychological and QOL also improved but were not statistically significant. Both patients and caregivers had decreases in cortisol at Weeks 1 and 3 (p < .05) but not at Week 6. Similar to cortisol levels at Week 6, salivary interleukin-6 levels were lower overall (before/after an MBSR-C session), compared with Week 1 for patients and caregivers. Conclusions: MBSR-C may be a beneficial intervention for reducing stress, anxiety, cortisol levels, and symptoms in advanced-stage cancer patients and may also benefit caregivers.

scholarly journals Is early integration of palliative home care in oncology treatment feasible and acceptable for advanced cancer patients and their health care providers? A phase 2 mixed-methods study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Dhollander ◽  
Tinne Smets ◽  
Aline De Vleminck ◽  
Lore Lapeire ◽  
Koen Pardon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Home Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Palliative Home Care ◽  
Early Integration

Abstract Background: To support the early integration of palliative home care (PHC) in cancer treatment, we developed the EPHECT intervention and pilot tested it with 30 advanced cancer patients in Belgium using a pre post design with no control group. We aim to determine the feasibility, acceptability and perceived effectiveness of the EPHECT intervention.Methods: Interviews with patients (n=16 of which 11 dyadic with family caregivers), oncologists and GPs (n=11) and a focus group with the PHC team. We further analyzed the study materials and logbooks of the PHC team (n=8). Preliminary effectiveness was assessed with questionnaires EORTC QLQ C-30, HADS and FAMCARE and were filled in at baseline and 12, 18 and 24 weeks.Results: In the interviews after the intervention period, patients reported feelings of safety and control and an optimized quality of life. The PHC team could focus on more than symptom management because they were introduced earlier in the trajectory of the patient. Telephone-based contact appeared to be insufficient to support interprofessional collaboration. Furthermore, some family caregivers reported that the nurse of the PHC team was focused little on them.Conclusion: Nurses of PHC teams are able to deliver early palliative care to advanced cancer patients. However, more attention needs to be given to family caregivers as caregiver and client. Furthermore, the home visits by the PHC team have to be further evaluated and adapted. Lastly, professionals have to find a more efficient way to discuss future care.

scholarly journals Clinical outcomes of advanced stage cancer patients treated with sequential immunotherapy in phase 1 clinical trials

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1198-1206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dylan J. Martini ◽  
Yuan Liu ◽  
Julie M. Shabto ◽  
Colleen Lewis ◽  
Meredith R. Kline ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Advanced Stage ◽  
Advanced Stage Cancer

Development of predictive models to identify advanced-stage cancer patients in a US healthcare claims database

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. 30-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daina B. Esposito ◽  
Leo Russo ◽  
Dina Oksen ◽  
Ruihua Yin ◽  
Vibha C.A. Desai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Predictive Models ◽  
Advanced Stage ◽  
Claims Database ◽  
Advanced Stage Cancer

scholarly journals Glioblastoma Multiforme: Novel Therapeutic Approaches

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arsenio M. Fialho ◽  
Prabhakar Salunkhe ◽  
Sunil Manna ◽  
Sidharth Mahali ◽  
Ananda M. Chakrabarty
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Glioblastoma Multiforme ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Current Therapy ◽  
Complete Regression ◽  
Advanced Stage ◽  
Glioblastoma Cells ◽  
Neisseria Meningitides ◽  
High Cytotoxicity ◽  
Advanced Stage Cancer

The current therapy for glioblastoma multiforme involves total surgical resection followed by combination of radiation therapy and temozolomide. Unfortunately, the efficacy for such current therapy is limited, and newer approaches are sorely needed to treat this deadly disease. We have recently described the isolation of bacterial proteins and peptides with anticancer activity. In phase I human clinical trials, one such peptide, p28, derived from a bacterial protein azurin, showed partial and complete regression of tumors in several patients among 15 advanced-stage cancer patients with refractory metastatic tumors where the tumors were no longer responsive to current conventional drugs. An azurin-like protein called Laz derived from Neisseria meningitides demonstrates efficient entry and high cytotoxicity towards glioblastoma cells. Laz differs from azurin in having an additional 39-amino-acid peptide called an H.8 epitope, which allows entry and high cytotoxicity towards glioblastoma cells. Since p28 has been shown to have very little toxicity and high anti-tumor activity in advanced-stage cancer patients, it will be worthwhile to explore the use of H.8-p28, H.8-azurin, and Laz in toxicity studies and glioblastoma therapy in preclinical and human clinical trials.

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