Implementing virtual mind-body programming to support cancer patients during COVID-19.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1585-1585
Author(s):  
Jun J. J. Mao ◽  
Kin Wai (Tony) Hung ◽  
Nicholas Emard ◽  
Fernanda C. G. Polubriaginof ◽  
Kathleen Lynch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Integrative Medicine ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Psychological Symptom ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Popular Classes ◽  
Cancer Experience

1585 Background: Despite growing evidence of mind-body therapies for physical and psychological health among patients with cancer, their access remains limited. The COVID-19 pandemic has further disrupted the delivery of necessary cancer and supportive care; thus, the need to support patients with cancer is unprecedented. To expand the reach and access of mind-body therapies, we developed, implemented, and evaluated a novel virtual mind-body program for patients with cancer. Methods: We rapidly developed a 7-day a week virtual mind-body program, Integrative Medicine at Home (IM@Home), for patients with cancer (ages ≥18 years) and deployed it on April 1st, 2020. IM@Home included mind-body group therapy classes in fitness, meditation, yoga, dance, tai chi, and music delivered using Zoom video conferencing. Classes ranged from 30-45 minutes and were led by an integrative medicine clinician. Patients had the option to register for a 1-month, 3-month, or 6-month membership to gain unlimited access to all virtual mind-body classes. Multi-method evaluation was conducted using the RE-AIM conceptual framework to guide surveys and qualitative interviews. Surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics and interviews were analyzed using grounded theory. Results: Between April 2020 and January 2021, IM@Home registered over 32,000 class participants, with a weekly average attendance of 700-800 participants. In a 4-month post-deployment survey (n = 131), nearly all participants were satisfied with IM@Home (93.9%) and would recommend the program to friends and family (95.4%). A majority of participants also found IM@Home to be simple to use (87.0%) and said the program had a variety of classes that interested them (93.1%). Three-quarters of participants (74.8%) were taking 3 to 7 classes a week (range: 1 to 15 classes), among which the most popular classes were fitness (88.7%), chair yoga (37.1%), and tai chi (33.1%). Most participants preferred a 3-month membership (51.6%), followed by a 6-month membership (19.5%). In qualitative interviews (n = 30), participants reported IM@Home helped them to: 1) maintain structured routines and stay motivated to exercise; 2) cope with COVID-19-related and cancer-related stressors; and 3) connect with their fellow cancer patient community and foster social relationships during a time of isolation. Conclusions: Virtual mind-body programming, through IM@Home, reached many patients with cancer to address their physical and psychological challenges during COVID-19. As patients with cancer experience high physical and psychological symptom burden following diagnosis, future clinical trials are needed to evaluate the specific effects of IM@Home when integrated into active treatment and survivorship care.

scholarly journals Counter-talk as symbolic boundary drawing: Challenging legitimate cultural practices in individual and focus group interviews in the lower regions of social space

2021 ◽  
pp. 003802612110144
Author(s):  
Riie Heikkilä ◽  
Anu Katainen
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Moral Boundaries ◽  
Popular Classes ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Symbolic Boundary

In qualitative interviews, challenges such as deviations from the topic, interruptions, silences or counter-questions are inevitable. It is debatable whether the researcher should try to alleviate them or consider them as important indicators of power relations. In this methodological article, we adopt the latter view and examine the episodes of counter-talk that emerge in qualitative interviews on cultural practices among underprivileged popular classes by drawing on 49 individual and focus group interviews conducted in the highly egalitarian context of Finland. Our main aim is to demonstrate how counter-talk emerging in interview situations could be fruitfully analysed as moral boundary drawing. We identify three types of counter-talk: resisting the situation, resisting the topic, and resisting the interviewer. While the first type unites many of the typical challenges inherent to qualitative interviewing in general (silences, deviations from the topic and so forth), the second one shows that explicit taste distinctions are an important feature of counter-talk, yet the interviewees mostly discuss them as something belonging to the personal sphere. Finally, the third type reveals how the strongest counter-talk and clearest moral boundary stemmed from the interviewees’ attitudes towards the interviewer herself. We argue that counter-talk in general should be given more importance as a key element of the qualitative interview. We demonstrate that all three types of counter-talk are crucial to properly understanding the power relations and moral boundaries present in qualitative interviews and that cultural practices are a particularly good topic to tease them out.

scholarly journals Cooking for Vitality: Pilot Study of an Innovative Culinary Nutrition Intervention for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Cancer Survivors

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2760
Author(s):  
Cheryl Pritlove ◽  
Geremy Capone ◽  
Helena Kita ◽  
Stephanie Gladman ◽  
Manjula Maganti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Cooking Skills ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Cancer Related Fatigue ◽  
Poor Nutritional Status

(1) Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most prevalent and distressing side effects experienced by patients with cancer during and after treatment, and this negatively impacts all aspects of quality of life. An increasing body of evidence supports the role of poor nutritional status in the etiology of CRF and of specific diets in mitigating CRF. We designed a group-based two session culinary nutrition intervention for CRF, Cooking for Vitality (C4V), aimed at increasing understanding of how food choices can impact energy levels and establishing basic food preparation and cooking skills as well as the application of culinary techniques that minimize the effort/energy required to prepare meals. The purpose of this pilot mixed-method study was to evaluate: Feasibility of the experimental methods and intervention; acceptability and perceived helpfulness of intervention; and to obtain a preliminary estimate of the effectiveness of the intervention on fatigue (primary outcome), energy, overall disability, and confidence to manage fatigue (secondary outcomes). (2) Methods: Prospective, single arm, embedded mixed-methods feasibility study of cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue was conducted. Participants completed measures at baseline (T0), immediately following the intervention (T1), and three months after the last session (T2). Qualitative interviews were conducted at T2. (3) Results: Recruitment (70%) and retention (72%) rates along with qualitative findings support the feasibility of the C4V intervention for cancer survivors living with CRF (program length and frequency, ease of implementation, and program flexibility). Acceptability was also high and participants provided useful feedback for program improvements. Fatigue (FACT-F) scores significantly improved from T0–T1 and T0–T2 (p < 0.001). There was also a significant decrease in disability scores (WHO-DAS 2.0) from T0–T2 (p = 0.006) and an increase in POMS-Vigor (Profile of Mood States) from T0–T1 (p = 0.018) and T0–T2 (p = 0.013). Confidence in managing fatigue improved significantly from T0–T1 and T0–T2 (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that the C4V program was acceptable and helpful to patients and may be effective in improving fatigue levels and self-management skills. A randomized controlled trial is required to confirm these findings.

scholarly journals Trends in Psychological Symptoms among Canadian Adolescents from 2002 to 2014: Gender and Socioeconomic Differences

2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (12) ◽  
pp. 797-802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geneviève Gariépy ◽  
Frank J. Elgar
Keyword(s):  
Symptom Score ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Psychological Symptom ◽  
Socioeconomic Differences ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Canadian Youth ◽  
Canadian Health ◽  
Specific Symptoms

Objective: To describe trends in psychological health symptoms in Canadian youth from 2002 to 2014 and examine gender and socioeconomic differences in these trends. Method: We used data from the Canadian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. We assessed psychological symptoms from a validated symptom checklist and calculated a symptom score (range, 0-16). We stratified our analyses by gender and affluence tertile based on an index of material assets. We then plotted trends in symptom score and calculated the probability of experiencing specific symptoms over time. Results: Between 2002 and 2014, psychological symptom score increased by 1.01 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73 to 1.41), 1.08 (95% CI, 0.79 to 1.37), and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.55 to 1.13) points in girls in the low-, middle-, and high-affluence tertiles, respectively. In boys, psychological symptoms decreased by –0.39 (95% CI, –0.66 to –0.12) and –0.12 (95% CI, –0.43 to 0.19) points in the high- and middle-affluence tertiles, respectively, and increased by 0.30 (95% CI, –0.04 to 0.63) points in the low-affluence tertile. The probability of feeling anxious and having sleep problems at least once a week notably increased in girls from all affluence groups, while the probability of feeling depressed and irritable decreased among boys from the high-affluence tertile. Conclusion: Psychological symptoms increased in Canadian adolescent girls across all affluence groups while they remained stable in boys from low and middle affluence and decreased in boys from high affluence. Specific psychological symptoms followed distinct trends. Further research is needed to uncover the mechanisms driving these trends.

Integrative medicine and plasma cell disorders.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e20044-e20044
Author(s):  
Onyemaechi Okolo ◽  
Betsy C. Wertheim ◽  
Ashley Larsen ◽  
Nathan W. Sweeney ◽  
Krisstina L. Gowin
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Integrative Medicine ◽  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Plasma Cell Disorders

e20044 Background: Recent advancements in the treatment of plasma cell disorders (PCD) have led to a revolution in treatment options. Despite improved outcomes, patients have unmet symptom management needs. Integrative medicine (IM) is a method for addressing symptoms in cancer, but its use and efficacy is poorly defined in PCD patients. This analysis describes the utilization of IM among myeloma patients and explores associations with symptom burden. Methods: For 3 months, a 70-question online survey was hosted on HealthTree.org, an online resource for myeloma patients and researchers created by the HealthTree Foundation. The survey included questions about demographics, PCD type, disease stage, complementary practice use, PHQ-2 score (depression screen), and quality of life (sum of 6 interference items; possible score range 0-6). Mean outcome values were compared between IM users and non-users using two-sample t-tests. Proportions of supplement users and IM users were compared between patients currently on myeloma-specific treatment and patients not currently on treatment using chi-square tests. Results: Of 195 total respondents, 17 were excluded for not completing the survey section on IM practices. Median age range was 60-69 years old, 61% were female, 91% were non-Hispanic white, and 57% were overweight or obese. Plasma cell subtypes were active myeloma (81%), smoldering myeloma (12%), MGUS (3%), amyloidosis (2%), and plasmacytoma (1%), and 72% of patients were currently on cancer-specific treatment. On a scale of 1-10 (1=very uncomfortable; 10=very comfortable), patients reported a mean score of 3.7 when discussing IM therapies with their oncologist. The top 10 IM modalities reported were aerobic exercise (83%), nutrition (67%), natural products (60%), strength exercise (52%), support groups (48%), breathing exercises (44%), meditation (42%), yoga (40%), mindfulness-based stress reduction (38%), and massage (38%). Those who participated in meditation had significantly higher PHQ-2 scores (worse depression) than non-participants (1.1 vs. 0.8; p=0.05). Users of support groups (3.4 vs. 2.7; p=0.04), medicinal marijuana (4.0 vs. 2.9; p=0.03), or vitamin C (3.6 vs. 2.7; p=0.01) reported higher mean interference (worse quality of life) than non-users. Compared to patients currently on cancer treatment for PCD, untreated patients were significantly more likely to use curcumin (58% vs. 41%; p=0.04) or green tea (44% vs. 17%; p<0.001), were less likely to use medicinal marijuana (6% vs. 18%; p=0.05), and reported significantly lower fatigue (p=0.02). Conclusions: This international survey-based analysis reveals that most patients participated in IM modalities, though felt uncomfortable discussing them with their oncologist. It is unclear if the use of some IM modalities were due to symptom burden or lead to higher symptom burden. This study provides a foundation in the understanding of IM use in PCD, but more research is needed to evaluate its efficacy.

scholarly journals Use of Anti-angiogenic Drugs Potentially Associated With an Increase on Serum AST, LDH, CK, and CK-MB Activities in Patients With Cancer: A Retrospective Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zheng ◽  
Hanzhou Wang ◽  
Wei Hou ◽  
Ying Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Creatine Kinase ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Muscle Injury ◽  
Lactic Dehydrogenase ◽  
Cardiovascular Risks ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Cancer Types ◽  
Myocardial Muscle

Background: There is a large amount of evidence that anti-angiogenic drugs are effective safe. However, few studies have evaluated the specific effects of anti-angiogenic drugs on myocardial enzyme injury biomarkers: aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB). The purpose of our study was to determine whether anti-angiogenic drugs serum AST, LDH, CK, and CK-MB activities of cancer patients treated with anti-angiogenic drugs.Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 81 cancer patients. Patients who had used anti-angiogenic drugs were selected. Serum AST, LDH, CK, and CK-MB activities were measured before and after treatment with anti-angiogenic drugs for 3 weeks.Results: A total of 16 cancer types were analyzed. The distribution of the cancer types in the patients was mainly concentrated in lung, gastric, and colorectal cancers. The anti-angiogenic treatment markedly increased AST, LDH, CK, and CK-MB activities by 32.51, 7.29, 31.25, and 55.56%, respectively in serum.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that patients, who had used anti-angiogenic drugs were likely to have elevated AST, LDH, and CK, indicators of myocardial muscle injury. Use of anti-angiogenic drugs should not be assumed to be completely safe and without any cardiovascular risks.

Discrepancy in perception of symptoms among patients and medical staff after lung cancer surgery

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing Wei ◽  
Hongfan Yu ◽  
Wei Dai ◽  
Wei Xu ◽  
Qingsong Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Medical Staff ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Lung Cancer Surgery ◽  
Cancer Surgery ◽  
Disturbed Sleep ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Postoperative Symptoms ◽  
Cancer Experience

Abstract Context: Patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer experience a variety of symptoms such as pain and coughing, which interfere patients’ daily function after surgery. However, there may be some differences between the perception of symptoms by medical staff and the actual situation of patients. Objectives This study aimed to investigate patient’s experiences after lung cancer surgery and analyze whether the perception of postoperative symptoms by the medical staff differed from that reported by patients. Methods Semi-structured qualitative interviews concerning in-hospital experiences were conducted from June 2018 to October 2019 in 39 patients undergoing lung cancer surgery at the Sichuan Cancer Hospital. Moreover, 22 thoracic medical staff were instructed to answer open questions about their perception of symptoms related to the lung cancer surgery. Types and frequencies of symptoms from patients and medical staff were compared. Results Thirty-nine patients were interviewed, and 22 medical staff from the Department of Thoracic Surgery were investigated. The most frequent patient-reported symptoms were pain (967 times, 39 patients, 100%), coughing (904 times, 37 patients, 94.87%), shortness of breath (491 times, 35 patients, 89.74%), disturbed sleep (412 times, 34 patients, 87.18%), and interference with walking (347 times, 36 patients, 92.31%). Of the above symptoms, four were perceived by medical staff, whereas interference with walking was replaced by fatigue. Conclusion Although the medical staff and patients had a certain consensus on main symptoms, differences in perception still exist. Medical staff need to pay more attention to postoperative interference with walking.

Integrative Nursing in Sweden

2014 ◽  
pp. 515-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mats Jong ◽  
Miek C. Jong ◽  
Torkel Falkenberg
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Integrative Medicine ◽  
Real World ◽  
Complex Interventions ◽  
Holistic Care ◽  
Nursing Curricula ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Research Complex

In Sweden concepts of holistic care are well integrated in nursing curricula and health care legislation, but terms such as integrative nursing and integrative medicine is unfamiliar. A major challenge in Sweden is to inform and reform stakeholders in healthcare to acknowledge the benefits and value of evidence generated in (pragmatic-real world research) complex systems research since often integrative nursing methods are complex interventions where it is hard to rely on evidence of specific effects from individual elements of interventions. Experience based programs (on evidence informed integrative nursing practices) may be a key to create awareness among university staff, students, and future healthcare professionals of the qualities of integrative practices to promote and maintain health.

scholarly journals Impact of the Cost of Cancer Treatment: An Internet-Based Survey

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurie Markman ◽  
Ryan Luce
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cost Of Care ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Recommended Treatment ◽  
Cancer Experience ◽  
The Cost ◽  
To Receive

Survey suggests many patients with cancer experience distress associated with cost of care. A serious issue for those with modest annual incomes, these costs affect whether patients decide to receive recommended treatment.

Quality of life-related outcomes from a patient-tailored integrative medicine program: experience of Russian-speaking patients with cancer in Israel

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 4345-4355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilanit Shalom Sharabi ◽  
Anna Levin ◽  
Elad Schiff ◽  
Noah Samuels ◽  
Olga Agour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Integrative Medicine ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Integrative Medicine Program
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