scholarly journals Beneficial effects of auricular acupressure on preventing constipation in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: evidence from systematic review and meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su-Hua Zheng ◽  
Min Yan ◽  
Tiffany Field ◽  
Xiao Xu
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Care Group ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Auricular Acupressure

Abstract Objective To evaluate the available evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of auricular acupressure (AA) therapy for preventing constipation in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods The following databases were searched from their inception until August 2017: Ovid Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Allied and Alternative Medieine (AMED). We also searched four Chinese databases: Chinese BioMedical Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WANFANG Data, and Chinese VIP Database. Only the RCTs related to the effects of AA therapy on preventing constipation in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were included in this study. Quantitative syntheses of data from RCTs were conducted using RevMan 5.3 software. Study selection, data extraction, and validation were performed independently by two authors. Cochrane criteria for risk of bias were used to assess the methodological quality of the trials. Results Four RCTs met the inclusion criteria, and most were of low methodological quality. Study participants in the AA plus routine care group showed significantly greater improvements in the response rate (risk ratio [RR] = 1.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.14,1.42], P < 0.01) with low heterogeneity χ2 = 2.31, P = 0.31, l2 = 14%). In addition, when compared with routine care alone, one RCT suggested favorable statistically significant effects of AA plus routine care on Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS; mean difference [MD] = -5.07,95% CI [-6.86, -3.28], P < 0.01). Furthermore, when compared with routine care alone, one RCT suggested positive statistically significant effects of AA plus routine care on Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality of Life (PAC-QOL; MD = -1.26,95% CI [-1.59, -0.93], P < 0.01). Conclusions Overall, as a potential safety therapy, only weak evidence can support the hypothesis that AA can effectively prevent constipation in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

scholarly journals Arts Therapies for Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Boehm ◽  
Holger Cramer ◽  
Thomas Staroszynski ◽  
Thomas Ostermann
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Dance Movement ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Background. Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. However, only a few trials assess the effects of arts therapies.Material and Methods. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and Google Scholar from their start date to January 2012. We handsearched reference lists and contacted experts. All randomized controlled trials, quasi-randomized trials, and controlled clinical trials of art interventions in breast cancer patients were included. Data were extracted and risk of bias was assessed. Meta-analyses were performed using standardized mean differences.Results. Thirteen trials with a total of 606 patients were included. Arts therapies comprised music therapy interventions, various types of art therapy, and dance/movement therapies. The methodological quality ranged from poor to high quality with the majority scoring 3 of 4 points on the Jadad scale. Results suggest that arts therapies seem to positively affect patients’ anxiety (standardized mean difference: −1.10; 95%, confidence interval: −1.40 to −0.80) but not depression or quality of life. No conclusion could be drawn regarding the effects of arts therapy on pain, functional assessment, coping, and mood states.Discussion. Our review indicates that arts interventions may have beneficial effects on anxiety in patients with breast cancer.

scholarly journals Efficacy of a Tailored Moisturizer for Reducing Chemotherapy-Induced Skin Dryness in Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danbee Kang ◽  
Nayeon Kim ◽  
Young Hyuck Im ◽  
Yeon Hee Park ◽  
Ji Yeon Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Care Group ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Abstract Introduction: While up to 60% of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience skin side effects reducing quality of life, it was unclear which individual product was beneficial. To evaluate the effectiveness of a tailored moisturizer with a high content (1.5%) of pseudo-ceramides on skin dryness due to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Methods: Randomized controlled trial conducted from February 2015 to October 2018. 204 breast cancer patients experiencing skin dryness after 1 cycle of chemotherapy were randomly assigned to 3 groups (tailored moisturizer with high pseudo-ceramide content; general moisturizer; and usual care). Skin dryness, dullness, quality of life, and changes in sebum level were assessed at baseline, 3 weeks, and 1 month after completion of chemotherapy. The primary objective of the trial was to compare the tailored moisturizer group to usual care.Results: At 1 month after completion of chemotherapy, the tailored moisturizer group was significantly less likely to report severe skin dryness compared to the usual care group (8.5 vs. 27.9%, respectively, P < 0.01). The tailored moisturizer group reported significantly lower levels of skin dullness and lower levels of impairment of dermatological quality of life compared with the other two groups. Conclusions: A tailored moisturizer with a high content of pseudo-ceramides improved skin dryness, dullness and dermatological quality of life compared to usual care in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

scholarly journals Health-related quality of life in breast cancer patients: review of reviews from 2008 to 2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Parisa Mokhatri-Hesari ◽  
Ali Montazeri
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Breast cancer still is a topic. This overview of the literature aimed to update the current knowledge on quality of life in breast cancer patients. Methods A review of literature in MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Google Scholar were carried out to identify review papers on health-related quality of life in breast cancer during the 2008 to 2018. All publications were screened using the PRISMA guideline. The methodological quality of reviews was assessed using the AMSTAR. The findings were summarized and tabulated accordingly. Results Within over a decade, a total of 974 review papers were identified which according to the study selection criteria finally we have evaluated 82 reviews. Of these about 85% had a reasonable methodological quality. The findings were mainly summarized on several headings including instruments used to measure quality of life, treatment, supportive care, psychological distress, and symptoms. Questionnaires had a good performance to quantify quality of life in breast cancer patients. Most reviews were focused on the impact of treatment including endocrine therapy as well as integrating complementary and alternative medicine into the current practice. According to the reviews, yoga was the most recommended exercise to improve quality of life in breast cancer patients. Conclusion Overall, the findings from this overview indicated that quality of life in breast cancer patients enhanced during the last decade. Several simple but effective interventions such as physical activity and psychosocial interventions proved to be effective in improving quality of life in this population. However, management of symptoms such as pain, and lymphedema, issues related to worry, sexual function especially for young patients, and the future outlooks all are among topics that deserve further consideration. Also, this overview indicated that methodological issues in measuring quality of life in breast cancer patients improved greatly, but still there is a long way to go to understand what really matter to patients.

PSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION AND SCREENING OF EMOTIONAL STRESS IN CANCER PATIENTS

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 316-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Chulkova ◽  
Tatyana Semiglazova ◽  
Margarita Vagaytseva ◽  
Andrey Karitskiy ◽  
Yevgeniy Demin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Emotional Stress ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Psychological Study ◽  
Psychological Assistance

Psychological rehabilitation is an integral part of rehabilitation of a cancer patient. Psychological rehabilitation is aimed at a patient adaptation in the situation of the disease and improvement his quality of life. Understanding of an oncological disease is extreme and (or) crisis situation and monitoring dynamics of the psychological statement of a patient allows using differentiated approach in the provision of professional psychological assistance. The modified scale of self-esteem level of distress (IPOS) was used for screening of mental and emotional stress of cancer patients. There were selected groups of cancer patients who were most in need of professional psychological assistance. Results of a psychological study of one of these groups - breast cancer patients - are presented.

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