scholarly journals mHealth Supportive Care Intervention for Parents of Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Quasi-Experimental Pre- and Postdesign Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingting Wang ◽  
Doris Howell ◽  
Nanping Shen ◽  
Zhaohui Geng ◽  
Fulei Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Observation Group ◽  
Uncertainty In Illness ◽  
Care Intervention ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Supportive Care Intervention

BACKGROUND Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood malignancy. Caring for children with ALL is challenging for parents. A mobile health (mHealth) supportive care intervention was developed to meet parents’ needs. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the potential effectiveness of this mHealth supportive care intervention on emotional distress, social support, care burden, uncertainty in illness, quality of life, and knowledge. METHODS We conducted a quasi-experimental pre- and postdesign study from June 2015 to January 2016. In total, 101 parents were enrolled in the study, with 50 in the observation group and 51 in the intervention group. Parents in the observation group received the standard health education and were observed for 3 months. Parents in the intervention group received the mHealth supportive care intervention, in addition to the standard health education. The intervention consisted of 2 parts—an Android smartphone app “Care Assistant (CA)” and a WeChat Official Account. The CA with 8 modules (Personal Information, Treatment Tracking, Family Care, Financial and Social Assistance, Knowledge Center, Self- Assessment Questionnaires, Interactive Platform, and Reminders) was the main intervention tool, whereas the WeChat Official Account was supplementary to update information and realize interaction between parents and health care providers. Data of parents’ social support, anxiety, depression, care burden, uncertainty in illness, quality of life, their existing knowledge of ALL and care, and knowledge need were collected before and after the 3-month study period in both groups. For the intervention group, parents’ experience of receiving the intervention was also collected through individual interviews. RESULTS Overall, 43 parents in the observation group and 49 in the intervention group completed the study. Results found that the intervention reduced parents’ anxiety (Dint(Post-Pre)=−7.0 [SD 13.1], Dobs(Post-Pre)=−0.4 [SD 15.8], t90=−2.200, P=.03) and uncertainty in illness (Dint(Post-Pre)=−25.0 [SD 8.2], Dobs(Post-Pre)=−19.8 [SD 10.1], t90=−2.761, P=.01), improved parents’ social function (Dint(Post-Pre)=9.0 [SD 32.8], Dobs(Post-Pre)=−7.5 [SD 30.3], t90=2.494, P=.01), increased parents’ knowledge of ALL and care (Dint(Post-Pre)=28.4 [SD 12.4], Dobs(Post-Pre)=17.2 [SD 11.9], t90=4.407, P<.001), and decreased their need for knowledge (Dint(Post-Pre)=−9.9 [SD 11.6], Dobs(Post-Pre)=−1.9 [SD 6.4], t90=−4.112, P<.001). Qualitative results showed that parents were satisfied with the intervention and their role in the caregiving process. CONCLUSIONS The mHealth intervention in supporting parents of children with ALL is effective. This study is informative for other future studies on providing mHealth supportive care for parents of children with cancer.

scholarly journals The Effect of Self-Care Education on the Quality of Life in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Abiz ◽  
Hasan Robabi ◽  
Alireza Salar ◽  
Farshid Saeedinezhad
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Self Care ◽  
T Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Care Education ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) affects various aspects of quality of life (QoL), and self-care is the most important form of primary care and one of the main factors involved in the process of treating chronic diseases and improving the patients’ QoL. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of self-care education on the QoL of TB patients. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 110 TB patients referred to the TB coordinating Center in Zahedan, Southeastern Iran, in 2018, are studied. Participants were selected using convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 55) and control (n = 55) groups. Data were collected using the tuberculosis quality of life-version 2 (TBQol-v2). For the intervention group, first, patients and their caregivers were divided into groups compromising of 4 to 6 members, and then three sessions of self-care education, including lectures and questions and answers meetings, each lasted for 30 minutes (in total 90 minutes) were provided to each group. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 21 using descriptive statistical tests, independent t-test, paired t-test, and chi-squared test. Results: Mean of the total QoL score of the two groups before the intervention was 67.56 ± 5.99 and 67.09 ± 5.03, respectively, indicating no significant difference (P = 0.65). But after providing the intervention, the mean score of patients QoL in the intervention group (74.84 ± 4.90) was significantly higher than the control group (67.98 ± 0.68) (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Since self-care education can effectively enhance the QoL of TB patients, it is recommended to provide such educations for both treatment and follow-up of these patients along with directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS).

Effect of activity monitoring on quality of life in patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing chemoradiation.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18671-e18671
Author(s):  
Kristine N Kim ◽  
Nishant Shah ◽  
Amardeep S. Grewal ◽  
Elissa Klinger ◽  
Edgar Ben-Josef ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Activity Monitoring ◽  
Step Count ◽  
Observation Group ◽  
Gastrointestinal Malignancies ◽  
Eortc Qlq C30 ◽  
Eortc Qlq

e18671 Background: Patients undergoing concurrent radiation therapy and systemic therapy often experience significant toxicities, which can adversely affect their quality of life. We sought to determine if activity monitoring and early outpatient intervention could lead to improved quality of life (QoL) in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies undergoing chemoradiotherapy. Methods: In this prospective randomized trial, patients with gastrointestinal malignancies undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy were randomized to activity monitoring versus standard of care (observation). Each group was provided a commercially available fitness tracker but only the intervention group was actively monitored. If a patient in the intervention arm had a 20% decrease in step count or 20% increase in heart rate from their baseline, a triage visit was triggered to further evaluate and manage symptoms. In the observation group, step count and heart rate were recorded but no triage visit was triggered. All patients had weekly on treatment visits and access to standard communication methods for symptom management during and after-hour business hours. The primary endpoint was the rate of completed triage visits. QoL was a secondary endpoint and was collected from both arms at radiation simulation (baseline) and weekly during treatment using the EORTC QLQ-C30 (v.3). The mixed model for repeated measures was used for longitudinal analysis of global health status (GHS) and overall QoL scores (range 1-7) to determine the impact of intervention and time on QoL. Results: A total of 40 patients were evaluable in this study: 22 in the intervention group and 18 in the observation group. The primary endpoint was met with an increased rate of triage visits in the active monitoring group compared to the observation group (86.4% vs 39.9%, OR 9.95, 95% CI 2.12 -46.56, p = 0.015). EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires were completed by 97.5% of patients. The baseline QoL scores were similar in both arms (mean GHS 5.06 vs 5.50, p = 0.28 and mean QoL 4.98 vs 5.73, p = 0.09 in observation vs intervention group, respectively). There was a trend towards improved mean GHS, and QoL scores in the intervention group at all timepoints, although it did not reach statistical significance. Overall, GHS and QoL scores deteriorated from week 1 to week 6 during treatment in both groups (mean QoL 5.06 to 4.46, p = 0.16 in observation; mean QoL 5.55 to 5.03, p = 0.16 in intervention group). Conclusions: This study supports the feasibility of using activity monitor to actively track step count and heart rate to successfully trigger triage visits for patients at high risk for toxicity. Early outpatient intervention with the use of activity monitoring may improve quality of life in patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy.

scholarly journals Psychoeducational Intervention Benefits the Quality of Life of Patients with Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Hongyan Xu ◽  
Qiao Teng ◽  
Yan Zeng ◽  
Chunping Tian ◽  
Bowen Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Psychoeducational Intervention ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Observation Group ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Psychoeducational Interventions

Objectives. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex and relapsing autoimmune disease and worsens the quality of life (QOL) of patients by affecting their physical and psychological status. The effectiveness of psychoeducational interventions on patients with active SLE was investigated. Methods. Eight-five patients with active SLE were randomly assigned to an observation group or a control group; patients in the observation group received psychoeducational interventions. The following variables were evaluated within a week after admission, 3 and 6 months after psychoeducational intervention: the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument- (WHOQOL-) BREF scores, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) scores, the Beck Depression Inventory, and Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results. We found that scores of all four domains of the WHOQOL-BREF scale were remarkably increased 3 months after psychoeducational intervention in the intervention group and significantly higher than the control group ( P < 0.05 ); 6 months after psychoeducational intervention, psychological and social domain scores of the WHOQOL-BREF scale were remarkably higher in the intervention group than those in the control group, while other scores of three domains were not. PF, RP, BP, GH, RE, and MH scores of the SF-36 scale were remarkably increased 3 months after psychoeducational intervention in the intervention group rather than VT and SF, while all scores of subscales were notably higher in the intervention group than those in the control group ( P < 0.05 ). Six months after psychoeducational intervention, PF, RP, BP, GH, and RE scores of the SF-36 scale were remarkably higher in the intervention group than those in the control group, while VT, SF, and MH scores were not. Three months after psychoeducational intervention, the levels of depression and anxiety of SLE patients were reduced and significantly lower than those in the control group ( P < 0.05 ). Six months after psychoeducational intervention, the level of depression was still reduced, while the level of anxiety was not. Compared with the control group, the levels of depression and anxiety of SLE patients were remarkably declined in the observation group 6 months after psychoeducational intervention ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion. These data suggest psychoeducational interventions can significantly improve and maintain the QOL of patients with active SLE.

scholarly journals Effect of a Mobile App for the Pharmacotherapeutic Follow-Up of Patients With Cancer on Their Health Outcomes: Quasi-Experimental Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Collado-Borrell ◽  
Vicente Escudero-Vilaplana ◽  
Almudena Ribed ◽  
Cristina Gonzalez-Anleo ◽  
Maite Martin-Conde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Adherence To Treatment ◽  
Quasi Experimental

BACKGROUND Oral antineoplastic agents (OAAs) have revolutionized cancer management. However, they have been reported with adverse side effects and drug-drug interactions. Moreover, patient adherence to OAA treatment is critical. Mobile apps can enable remote and real-time pharmacotherapeutic monitoring of patients, while also promoting patient autonomy in their health care. OBJECTIVE The primary objective was to analyze the effect of using a mobile app for the follow-up of patients with oncohematological malignancies undergoing treatment with OAAs on their health outcomes. The secondary objectives were to analyze the role of the app in communication with health care professionals and patient satisfaction with the app. METHODS We performed a comparative, quasi-experimental study based on a prepost intervention with 101 patients (control group, n=51, traditional pharmacotherapeutic follow-up vs intervention group, n=50, follow-up through e-OncoSalud, a custom-designed app that promotes follow-up at home and the safety of patients receiving OAAs). The effect of this app on drug safety, adherence to treatment, and quality of life was evaluated. RESULTS With regard to drug safety, 73% (37/51) of the patients in the control group and 70% (35/50) of the patients in the intervention group (<i>P</i>=.01) presented with drug-related problems. The probability of detecting an insufficiently treated health problem in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group (<i>P</i>=.04). The proportion of patients who presented with side effects in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (<i>P</i>&gt;.99). In the control group, 49% (25/51) of the patients consumed some health resources during the first 6 months of treatment compared with 36% (18/50) of the patients in the intervention group (<i>P</i>=.76). Adherence to treatment was 97.6% (SD 7.9) in the intervention group, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (92.9% [SD 10.0]; <i>P</i>=.02). The EuroQol-5D in the intervention group yielded a mean (SD) index of 0.875 (0.156), which was significantly higher than that in the control group (0.741 [0.177]; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). Approximately 60% (29/50) of the patients used the messaging module to communicate with pharmacists. The most frequent types of messages were acknowledgments (77/283, 27.2%), doubts about contraindications and interactions with OAAs (70/283, 24.7%), and consultations for adverse reactions to treatment (39/283, 13.8%). The satisfaction with the app survey conducted in the intervention group yielded an overall mean (SD) score of 9.1 (0.4) out of 10. CONCLUSIONS Use of e-OncoSalud for the real-time follow-up of patients receiving OAAs facilitated the optimization of some health outcomes. The intervention group had significantly higher health-related quality of life and adherence to treatment than the control group. Further, the probability of the intervention group presenting with side effects was significantly lower than that of the control group.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Psychosocial Supportive Care Trial on Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Patients: An Interventional Study at the National Cancer Institute, Egypt

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (E) ◽  
pp. 779-788
Author(s):  
Mona Ibrahim Ellawindi ◽  
Tarek Hamed Shoman ◽  
Eman Taher ◽  
Sherif Gohar ◽  
Samah Shehata
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Care Model ◽  
Emotional Coping ◽  
Health Care Model

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) patients suffer from many psychosocial problems due to their health condition and treatment side effects so they are in great need for psychosocial supportive care. AIM: The aim of the study was to provide a comprehensive psych-social supportive health-care model for BC patients a step toward improving their quality of life (QOL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Random assignment was done for 185 patients with primary operated BC to a control or an intervention group. The researcher offered five daily successive psychosocial supportive care sessions for the patients in the intervention group. All patients were followed up for coping ability, mood and QOL 8 weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: The intervention had statistically significant effects on psychological distress, depression, problem focused, and active emotional coping domain, while had not any statistically significant effects on avoidant emotional coping domain. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial supportive developed health-care model decreased psychological distress, depression, and improved QOL among patients with primary BC.

scholarly journals The Effect of Skill-based Sexual Enhancement Counseling Program in Quality of life in Women with Multiple Sclerosis–a quasi-experimental study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Negin Sayari ◽  
Katayon Vakilian ◽  
Zohre Khalajinia ◽  
Seyyed Amir Hejazi ◽  
Mostafa Vahedian
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Medical Procedure ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Counseling Program ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Abstract Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the world’s most common neurologic disorders and the leading cause of neurologic disability in young adults. This study aimed to investigate skill-based sexual enhancement counseling on Quality of Life (QLI) of women with Multiple Sclerosis.Methods: the present study is a quasi-experimental design with two groups. Forty-two patients with multiple sclerosis and their spouses (N=88) voluntarily participated in this study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After obtaining the written consent forms, the couples were randomly assigned in two groups. The subjects in the intervention group (N=22 couples) received the skill-based sexual enhancement counseling program in six sessions (each for 90 minutes). The control group just received routine medical procedure during this period. Both groups completed three stages of pretest-posttest, and the standard MSQOL54 questionnaire 3 months later. Data were analyzed by SPSS-20 using descriptive and inferential statistics (repeated measures ANOVA, chi-square, Friedman and t-test).Results: The results showed that the participants' overall quality of life in the intervention group in pretest was 55.32±9.140 which increased to 73.89± 13.39 in posttest and to 92.59±20.45, 3 months later. Also, the physical quality of life showed a significant difference between the two groups 3 months after the intervention (P <0.05). There was a significant difference between the two groups in psychological quality of life, too. The subscales of physical and mental QLI such as sexual satisfaction, sexual function, emotional wellbeing, social function and energy in post-test and follow-up were significantly different (P<0.05).Conclusions: According to the findings, skill-based sexual enhancement counseling program is effective in quality of life enhancement. Therefore, it is recommended to health care providers to use enhancement program alongside the other rehabilitation and medical services to improve the patients' quality of life.

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