Patient and family caregiver perceptions of a cancer-related in-home Reiki experience.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 174-174
Author(s):  
Hossam Alhawatmeh ◽  
Yea-Jyh Chen ◽  
Rosanne M. Radziewicz
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Physical Symptom ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Cancer Support ◽  
Practice Methods

174 Background: Complementary care modalities are needed for residential patients and family caregivers, in addition to traditional cancer treatments, to effectively alleviate associated symptoms. Reiki is one of the biofield energy modalities which is generally known to provide non-invasive, non-pharmacological, and beneficial relaxation. It has been commonly practiced to cancer patients in clinical and cancer support facilities. However, little is known about providing Reiki at home especially by informal caregivers. This study aims to describe and understand the perceptions of an in-home Reiki practice as experienced by patients with cancer and their family caregivers. Research Question: What are the perceptions of patients and caregivers of their experiences with an in-home Reiki practice? Methods: A descriptive phenomenological approach (Husserl) was used to explore the perceptions of cancer patients and family caregivers of an in-home Reiki practice through narratives of six dyads of participants; six patients with active cancer and six family caregivers were interviewed. Participants were recruited at three sites in Northeast Ohio. Participants’ narratives were analysed according to Colaizzi’s thematic analysis method. Bracketing, peer debriefing, and external audits were performed to enhance the trustworthiness of findings. Results: Seven major themes were identified: 1) exchange of emotional energies, 2) sensory experiences of energy exchange, 3) physical symptom relief, 4) detachment from stressful circumstances, 5) restoration of spiritual wellbeing, 6) recognition of a valued technique, and 7) lifestyle accommodation. Conclusions: Study participants perceived that in-home Reiki was a beneficial self-care practice that improved the health of patients with cancer. An understanding of patient and caregiver perceptions of Reiki practice in home settings may lead to the development of stand practice and guidelines for a successful patient–caregiver intervention, suitable for a daily schedule or lifestyle. Further study is needed to understand the process underlying in-home Reiki in connection with health outcomes related to cancer.

Psychosocial Care for Family Caregivers of Patients With Cancer

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 1227-1234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurel Northouse ◽  
Anna-leila Williams ◽  
Barbara Given ◽  
Ruth McCorkle
Keyword(s):  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Cancer Support ◽  
Recommendations For Practice

Purpose To understand family caregivers' needs for better preparation and care, this state-of-the-science review examines the effect of caregiving on the health and well-being of caregivers, the efficacy of research-tested interventions on patient and caregiver outcomes, implications of the research on policy and practice, and recommendations for practice and future research. Methods We reviewed research that described the multiple effects of cancer on caregivers' well-being. Five meta-analyses were analyzed to determine the effect of interventions with caregivers on patient and caregiver outcomes. In addition, we reviewed legislation such as the Affordable Care Act and the Family Leave Act along with current primary care practice to determine whether family caregivers' needs have been addressed. Results Research findings indicate that caregiver stress can lead to psychological and sleep disturbances and changes in caregivers' physical health, immune function, and financial well-being. Research-tested interventions delivered to caregivers of patients with cancer or other chronic illnesses can reduce many of these negative effects and improve caregivers' coping skills, knowledge, and quality of life. Although these interventions also decrease patients' symptoms, reduce mortality (non-dementia patients), and improve patients' physical and mental health, they are seldom implemented in practice. Conclusion Recommendations for practice include development of standardized guidelines that address caregiver assessment, education, and resources; identification of “caregiver champions” in practice settings; provision of referrals to established support organizations for caregivers (eg, Cancer Support Community, Cancer Care); and collaboration among caregiving, professional, and cancer-related organizations to advocate policy and practice changes for family caregivers.

FOCUS

2019 ◽  
pp. 130-148
Author(s):  
Laurel Northouse ◽  
Clayton Shuman ◽  
Moira Visovatti ◽  
Bonnie Dockham ◽  
Marita Titler
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Cancer Support ◽  
Different Types

This chapter describes the development and testing of the FOCUS program with patient-caregiver dyads (i.e., pairs) as the unit of care. The chapter reviews studies that examined (1) the efficacy of the FOCUS program when tested in randomized clinical trials, (2) the effectiveness of the program when implemented in Cancer Support Community affiliates in three states, and (3) outcomes when translated to a tailored, web-based program. Results indicate that FOCUS consistently produced positive outcomes for cancer patients and their caregivers in these studies. The program also improved patient and caregiver outcomes when delivered to patients with different types and stages of cancer, to spousal and nonspousal family caregivers, and in various intervention doses (three-, five-, and six-session programs). The chapter concludes with plans for further implementation of FOCUS and existing dissemination activities.

scholarly journals SUFFERING AMONG PATIENTS WITH CANCER UNDERGOING NEUROTOXIC CHEMOTHERAPY: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL APPROACH

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Braga Mendonça ◽  
Eliane Ramos Pereira ◽  
Carinne Magnago ◽  
Rose Mary Costa Rosa Andrade Silva ◽  
Adriana de Oliveira Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Comprehensive Model ◽  
Patients With Cancer

ABSTRACT Objective: reveal experiences of cancer patients undergoing neurotoxic chemotherapy. Method: phenomenology-based, qualitative study, carried out with nine adult patients in antineoplastic neurotoxic treatment, interviewed in June and July 2018. The testimonies were analyzed using an empirical comprehensive model. Results: the following categories were delineated: nerves on edge: perception of limitations caused by neuropathic pain induced by chemotherapy; chemotherapy drains me of energy; the suffering of starting again; the suffering of enduring it; alone in a desert, I heard the cry of my silence; chemotherapy: an infusion of hope; and there is no suffering on earth that heaven cannot heal. Conclusion: the study presented various meanings of suffering that emerge from experiences with neurotoxic treatment and found that many dimensions of suffering interpenetrate, making it impossible to disassociate them.

The Burden of Cancer Caregivers

2019 ◽  
pp. 20-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara A. Given ◽  
Charles W. Given
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
The United States ◽  
Coping Resources ◽  
Dyadic Relationship ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Care Situation ◽  
Negative Appraisals

Caregiver burden is the “stress” perceived by family caregivers who care for patients and results from the imbalance between demands (objective and subjective) and their coping resources. Approximately 1.7 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer each year. There are an estimated 4 million caregivers of cancer patients in the United States. This chapter focuses on caregiver burden stemming from family caregivers’ negative appraisals (burden) of the care they provide to patients with cancer. This resulting burden may threaten the patient-caregiver dyadic relationship and result in negative physical, psychological, and social outcomes for the caregiver as well as negatively impact the patient. The balance between demands and resources determines the level of burden and the consequences on the care situation.

Treatment and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients

2012 ◽  
Vol 03 (03) ◽  
pp. 121-125
Author(s):  
I. Pabinger ◽  
C. Ay
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
New Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Potential Use

SummaryCancer is a major and independent risk factor of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In clinical practice, a high number of VTE events occurs in patients with cancer, and treatment of cancerassociated VTE differs in several aspects from treatment of VTE in the general population. However, treatment in cancer patients remains a major challenge, as the risk of recurrence of VTE as well as the risk of major bleeding during anticoagulation is substantially higher in patients with cancer than in those without cancer. In several clinical trials, different anticoagulants and regimens have been investigated for treatment of acute VTE and secondary prophylaxis in cancer patients to prevent recurrence. Based on the results of these trials, anticoagulant therapy with low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) has become the treatment of choice in cancer patients with acute VTE in the initial period and for extended and long-term anticoagulation for 3-6 months. New oral anticoagulants directly inhibiting thrombin or factor Xa, have been developed in the past decade and studied in large phase III clinical trials. Results from currently completed trials are promising and indicate their potential use for treatment of VTE. However, the role of the new oral thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors for VTE treatment in cancer patients still has to be clarified in further studies specifically focusing on cancer-associated VTE. This brief review will summarize the current strategies of initial and long-term VTE treatment in patients with cancer and discuss the potential use of the new oral anticoagulants.

Thrombosis in Cancer Patients Treated with Hematopoietic Growth Factors - A Meta-Analysis

1996 ◽  
Vol 75 (02) ◽  
pp. 368-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Barbul ◽  
G Finazzi ◽  
A Grassi ◽  
R Marchioli
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Hematopoietic Growth Factors ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Cytotoxic Treatment ◽  
Pertinent Data ◽  
Thrombotic Complications ◽  
Vascular Occlusions

SummaryHematopoietic colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) are largely used in patients with cancer undergoing cytotoxic treatment to accelerate neutrophil recovery and decrease the incidence of febrile neutropenia. Clinical practice guidelines for their use have been recently established (1), taking into account clinical benefit, but also cost and toxicity. Vascular occlusions have been recently reported among the severe reactions associated with the use of CSFs, in anedoctal case reports (2, 3), consecutive case series (4) and randomized clinical trial (5, 6). However, the role of CSFs in the pathogenesis of thrombotic complications is difficult to ascertain, because pertinent data are scanty and widely distributed over a number of heterogenous investigations. We report here a systematic review of relevant articles, with the aims to estimate the prevalence of thrombosis associated with the use of CSFs and to assess if this rate is significantly higher than that observed in cancer patients not receiving CSFs.

COVID-19 in patients suffering from Cancer: Review article

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 1494-1499
Author(s):  
Shahid Ahmad Siddiqui
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Immune Status ◽  
Review Article ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Corona Virus ◽  
Cancer Review ◽  
Ideal System ◽  
Lethal Infection ◽  
Set Up

The episode of Covid19 (CORONA VIRUS) has become one of the greatest worldwide dangers around the world, which has now tainted over 1.7 million individuals with deaths of over 100,000 lives far & wide. Under these extraordinary conditions, there are no entrenched rules for cancer patients. The danger for genuine infection & passing in CORONA VIRUS cases increments with propelling age & existing co-morbid medical issue. After the rise of primary suspects in China during last month of 2019, enormous exploration endeavors have been in progress to comprehend the instruments of infectivity & contagiousness of coronavirus, a lethal infection liable for wretched endurance results. To limit the death rate, it gets judicious to distinguish indications quickly & utilize medicines suitably. Despite the fact that no fix has been set up, different clinical preliminaries are in progress to decide the most ideal system. Overseeing patients with cancer in these conditions is a fair task, considering their weak immune status & their ill health. Through this thorough audit, we talk about the effect of CORONA VIRUS on wellbeing & the immune system of who are infected, assessing the most recent care plan draws near & progressing clinical preliminaries. Also, we talk about difficulties confronted while treating cancer patients & propose possible ways to deal with these weak populace during pandemic.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document