scholarly journals Effects and Implementation of a Mindfulness and Relaxation App for Cancer Patients: Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Mikolasek ◽  
Claudia Margitta Witt ◽  
Jürgen Barth
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Standard Medical Care ◽  
Related Quality

BACKGROUND A cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment can cause high levels of distress, which is often not sufficiently addressed in standard medical care. Therefore, a variety of supportive non-pharmacological treatments have been suggested to reduce cancer patients’ distress. However, not all patients use those interventions because of limited access or being unaware. To overcome these barriers, mHealth might be a promising way to deliver respective supportive treatments. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate effects and the implementation of a mindfulness and relaxation app intervention for cancer patients as well as patients’ adherence to such an intervention. METHODS In this observational feasibility study with a mixed-methods approach, cancer patients were recruited online and through hospitals in Switzerland. All enrolled patients received access to a mindfulness and relaxation app. Patients completed self-reported outcomes (general health, health-related quality of life, anxiety, depression, distress, mindfulness, and fear of progression) at baseline, week 4, 10, and 20. The frequency of app exercise usage was gathered directly through the app in order to assess the adherence of patients. In addition, we conducted interviews with 5 health professionals for their thoughts on the implementation of the app intervention into standard medical care. We analyzed patients’ self-reported outcomes with linear mixed models (LMM) and qualitative data with content analysis. RESULTS A total of 100 cancer patients (74 female) with a mean age of 53.2 (SD 11.6) participated in the study, of which 25 patients used the app regularly until week 20. LMM analyses revealed an improvement in anxiety (P=.04), distress (P<.001), fatigue (P=.01), sleep disturbance (P=.02), quality of life (P=.03), and mindfulness (P<.001) over the course of 20 weeks. Further LMM analyses revealed a larger improvement of distress (P<.001), a moderate improvement of anxiety (P=.001), and depression (P=.03) in patients with high symptom levels at baseline in the respective domains. The interviews revealed that the health professionals perceived the app as a helpful addition to standard care. They also made suggestions for improvements, which could facilitate the implementation and adherence to such an app. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that a mindfulness and relaxation app for cancer patients can be a feasible and effective way to deliver a self-care intervention, especially for highly distressed patients. Future studies should investigate if the appeal of the app can be increased with more content and the effectiveness of such an intervention needs to be tested in a randomized controlled trial. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals Health-related Quality of Life of Macedonian Families Experiencing Cystic Fibrosis in Pediatric Practice

Folia Medica ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoran Nikola Nakov ◽  
Stojka Naceva Fushtikj ◽  
Jasmina Tonikj-Ribarska ◽  
Suzana Trajkovikj Jolevska
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Social Aspect ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Standard Medical Care ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background: : Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a parameter that is examined in the area of clinical effectiveness. Like other chronic health conditions, paediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) impacts not only children but also their families. Aim: The present study investigates for the first time the HRQoL of children and parents in the Republic of North Macedonia. Materials and methods: The survey included 22 children (6 to 13 years of age) and their parents and 7 parents of children under 6 years of age by using the CFQ Revised and questions for current medical treatment. Results: Children (6-13 years) reported the highest score for the digestive condition (84.85), while the lowest score was given for social activity (59.74). The highest score for digestive condition was also obtained from the parents of children from 6-13 years and under age of 6. The parents of children (6-13 years) reported the lowest score (60.56) for treatment burden activity, while the lowest score (50.0) for eating condition was obtained from the parents of children under 6 years. Conclusion: Nationality and gender have no significant impact on the HRQoL parameters. The highest scores for the digestive condition, respiratory function and physical condition are in a positive correlation with the fact that enzyme, antibiotic and physical therapy are given as a standard medical care. The lowest scores of the social aspect of the CF patients indicate the need for including a psychological support and support of social workers as a part of the standard medical care of these patients.

scholarly journals Effects of Baduanjin Exercise on Cognitive Function and Cancer-related Symptoms in Women With Breast Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy: a Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaolin Wei ◽  
Ruzhen Yuan ◽  
Juan Yang ◽  
Wei Zheng ◽  
Yongmei Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Purpose Cognitive decline is one of the main side effects of breast cancer patients after relevant treatment, but there is a lack of clear measures for prevention and management without definite mechanism. Moreover, postoperative patients also have a need for limb rehabilitation. Whether the cognitive benefits of Baduanjin exercise can improve the overall well-being of this breast cancer patients remains unknown. This study aims to figure out these problems in the under-researched Chinese population.Methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 70 patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy who were randomly assigned and allocated to (1:1) the supervised Baduanjin group (5 times/week, 30 min each time) or the control group for three months. The effects of Baduanjin exercise intervention were evaluated by outcome measures including subjective cognitive function, symptoms (fatigue, depression and anxiety) and health-related quality of life at pre-intervention (T0), 4 weeks (T1), 8 weeks (T2) and 12 weeks (T3). The collected data were analyzed by using an intention-to-treat principle and linear mixed-effects modeling.Results Participants in the Baduanjin group had a significantly greater improvement in terms of FACT-cog (F=14.511; P < 0.001), PCI (F=15.915; P < 0.001), PCA (F=2.767; P= 0.047), and health-related quality of life (F=8.900; p = 0.004) compared with the control group over the time. The exercise-cognition relationship was significantly mediated by reduced fatigue (indirect effect: β= 0.132; 95% CI: 0.046, 0.237) and improved anxiety (indirect effect: β=-0.075; 95% CI: -0.165, -0.004).Conclusions This pilot study revealed the benefits and outlined the underlying mediating mechanism of Baduanjin exercise to the subjective cognition and health-related quality of life of Chinese breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. The findings provided insights into the development of public health initiatives to promote brain health and improve quality of life among breast cancer patients.Trial registration number ChiCTR 2000033152

Health-related quality of life after heart and lung transplantation with prolonged intensive medical care

2010 ◽  
Vol 58 (S 01) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Azhari ◽  
G Marggraf ◽  
Y Erim ◽  
M Beckmann ◽  
M Pennewiß ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Lung Transplantation ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related
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