scholarly journals Effects of smart-care services program for breast cancer survivors

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-106
Author(s):  
Bok Yae Chung ◽  
Sung Jung Hong

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a smart-care services program for breast cancer survivors on cognitive function and physical health. Methods: A quasi-experimental control group pretest posttest design was used. Subjects were recruited in D city, and data were collected from July 2017 to February 2018. The experimental group (n=24) participated in the smart-care services program, whereas the control group (n=26) received conventional management. The smart-care services program consisted of addressing cognitive function problems arising from chemotherapy, diet, exercise, head/neck massage and self-monitoring using smartphone applications and smart bands. All participants underwent assessments at baseline, at 6 weeks, and at 12 weeks. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation), a chi-squared test, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: After the smart-care services program, significant differences were found between the groups in cognitive function (F=18.91, p<.001) and sleep time (F=9.25, p<.001). No significant differences were found between the groups in caloric consumption after the program. Conclusion: The smart-care services program significantly improved the level of cognitive function and sleep time for breast cancer survivors. The use of this smart-care services program for breast cancer survivors might be an effective nursing intervention tool for improving cognitive function and health behaviors.

2010 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 996-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaowarat Matchim ◽  
Jane M. Armer ◽  
Bob R. Stewart

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a MBSR program on physiological and psychological outcomes among early-stage breast cancer survivors. A quasi-experimental, pre-and posttest control group design was selected. The intervention group received the MBSR intervention. The control group received no MBSR intervention. ANOVA and ANCOVA were used to analyze data. The intervention group demonstrated statistically significant improvement in physiological and psychological outcomes including reduced blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate and increased mindfulness state at the level of p = .05 to p = .001. The effects of MBSR on reducing stress in this sample were statistically significant on the physiological outcome (morning cortisol) at the measurement after the intervention completion, but this effect was not sustained at 1-month follow-up. MBSR showed a trend toward improving psychological outcomes by reducing mood disturbance in this sample.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina M. Dieli-Conwright ◽  
Nathalie Sami ◽  
Mary K. Norris ◽  
Junxiang Wan ◽  
Hiroshi Kumagai ◽  
...  

AbstractMOTS-c is a mitochondrial derived peptide with exercise mimetic activity that elicits beneficial effects on metabolism and exercise capacity. Furthermore, MOTS-c effects in humans are affected by race, potentially via ethnic-specific mtDNA variations. Women treated for breast cancer are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, due to side effects of cancer-treatments. We conducted a secondary analysis of the effects of a 16-week aerobic and resistance exercise intervention on MOTS-c in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White breast cancer survivors (BCS). BCS (Stage I–III) were randomized to exercise or standard care. The intervention promoted aerobic and resistance exercise for 16 weeks. MOTS-c was analyzed in fasting plasma using an in-house ELISA. Within and between group differences were assessed by paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. Pearson’s correlation was computed to assess the association between MOTS-c and metabolic biomarkers at baseline and post-exercise. Twenty-five Hispanic-BCS and 24 non-Hispanic White BCS were included. Hispanic BCS were younger, of greater adiposity, had higher stage cancers, and had worse metabolic profiles at baseline compared to non-Hispanic White BCS (p < 0.001). Post-exercise, MOTS-c levels significantly increased when compared to baseline and the usual care group among non-Hispanic White BCS (p < 0.01) but not among Hispanic breast cancer survivors (p > 0.01). Post-exercise levels of MOTS-c among non-Hispanic White BCS were significantly associated with reductions in fat mass, body weight, HOMA-IR, CRP, and an increase in lean mass (p < 0.01). A 16-week aerobic and resistance intervention increased MOTS-c levels among non-Hispanic White BCS. Trial registration: This trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01140282 as of June 9, 2010. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01140282.


Author(s):  
Roxanne Gal ◽  
Evelyn M. Monninkhof ◽  
Carla H. van Gils ◽  
Rolf H. H. Groenwold ◽  
Sjoerd G. Elias ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose The Trials within Cohorts (TwiCs) design aims to overcome problems faced in conventional RCTs. We evaluated the TwiCs design when estimating the effect of exercise on quality of life (QoL) and fatigue in inactive breast cancer survivors. Methods UMBRELLA Fit was conducted within the prospective UMBRELLA breast cancer cohort. Patients provided consent for future randomization at cohort entry. We randomized inactive patients 12–18 months after cohort enrollment. The intervention group (n = 130) was offered a 12-week supervised exercise intervention. The control group (n = 130) was not informed and received usual care. Six-month exercise effects on QoL and fatigue as measured in the cohort were analyzed with intention-to-treat (ITT), instrumental variable (IV), and propensity scores (PS) analyses. Results Fifty-two percent (n = 68) of inactive patients accepted the intervention. Physical activity increased in patients in the intervention group, but not in the control group. We found no benefit of exercise for dimensions of QoL (ITT difference global QoL: 0.8, 95% CI = − 2.2; 3.8) and fatigue, except for a small beneficial effect on physical fatigue (ITT difference: − 1.1, 95% CI = − 1.8; − 0.3; IV: − 1.9, 95% CI = − 3.3; − 0.5, PS: − 1.2, 95% CI = − 2.3; − 0.2). Conclusion TwiCs gave insight into exercise intervention acceptance: about half of inactive breast cancer survivors accepted the offer and increased physical activity levels. The offer resulted in no improvement on QoL, and a small beneficial effect on physical fatigue. Trial registration Netherlands Trial Register (NTR5482/NL.52062.041.15), date of registration: December 07, 2015.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 1104-1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda L. Irwin ◽  
Brenda Cartmel ◽  
Cary P. Gross ◽  
Elizabeth Ercolano ◽  
Fangyong Li ◽  
...  

Purpose Arthralgia occurs in up to 50% of breast cancer survivors treated with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and is the most common reason for poor AI adherence. We conducted, in 121 breast cancer survivors receiving an AI and reporting arthralgia, a yearlong randomized trial of the impact of exercise versus usual care on arthralgia severity. Patients and Methods Eligibility criteria included receiving an AI for at least 6 months, reporting ≥ 3 of 10 for worst joint pain on the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and reporting < 90 minutes per week of aerobic exercise and no strength training. Participants were randomly assigned to exercise (150 minutes per week of aerobic exercise and supervised strength training twice per week) or usual care. The BPI, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire were completed at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Intervention effects were evaluated using mixed-model repeated measures analysis, with change at 12 months as the primary end point. Results Over 12 months, women randomly assigned to exercise (n = 61) attended 70% (± standard deviation [SD], 28%) of resistance training sessions and increased their exercise by 159 (± SD, 136) minutes per week. Worst joint pain scores decreased by 1.6 points (29%) at 12 months among women randomly assigned to exercise versus a 0.2-point increase (3%) among those receiving usual care (n = 60; P < .001). Pain severity and interference, as well as DASH and WOMAC pain scores, also decreased significantly at 12 months in women randomly assigned to exercise, compared with increases for those receiving usual care (all P < .001). Conclusion Exercise led to improvement in AI-induced arthralgia in previously inactive breast cancer survivors.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 106-106
Author(s):  
Samantha Rose Dewald ◽  
Loki Natarajan ◽  
Irene Su

106 Background: Fertility is important to many young breast cancer survivors (YBCS), who face difficult decisions on whether to undergo fertility preservation prior to treatment. Because few longitudinal data assessing decisional regret are available, the objectives of this study were to assess longitudinal changes in decisional regret on fertility preservation following breast cancer diagnosis; determine if fertility preservation treatment decisions are related to decreased decisional regret. Methods: From 3 academic breast cancer programs, 169 YBCS younger than age 45 were recruited at diagnosis between 2009 and 2012 and followed prospectively for ovarian function. Participants completed questionnaires on fertility preservation choices and the Decisional Regret Scale (DRS) during study visits every 6 months for up to 5 years. DRS is scored 0 (no regret) to 100 (highest regret). DRS was dichotomized as none versus any decisional regret. Generalized linear models estimated the change in DRS over time and the association between patient characteristics and DRS. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 38.7 (SD 4.8). Median total follow-up was 176 days (IQR 84 to 1415 days). Enrollment DRS was available for 89 women; 48% reported decisional regret about fertility preservation (median DRS=20). Participants worried about future fertility were more likely to report decisional regret (p=0.009). 31% underwent fertility preservation, but this was not associated with decisional regret (p=0.65). In repeated measures analysis for the entire cohort, no significant change in DRS occurred over this time period (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.4-1.7). Worry about future fertility remained significantly associated with DRS over time (OR 55.1, 95% CI 7.7-395.1). Conclusions: In a cohort of YBCS, experiencing decisional regret about fertility preservation persists for years after diagnosis. Those worried about future fertility are more likely to experience decisional regret regarding fertility preservation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 013-019
Author(s):  
Mary NB Cheung ◽  
Wings Tjing Yung Loo

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) to improve immune system and decrease pro-metastasis markers in early post-treatment breast cancer survivors. Methods: 130 post-treatment breast cancer survivors were recruited and randomized 1:1 into TCC group and wait-list (control) group. The TCC group practiced for a 60-minutes session once per week, for a total of 52 weeks. 115 forms of Yang-style TCC were taught by a Tai Chi master. Blood samples were taken from each subject and complete blood count was performed. The expressions of NKG2D protein, P-selectin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in plasma were measured. Lymphocyte activity was measured by cell proliferation reagent and ATP assay. Images of lymphocyte colony formation were taken with an inverted microscope. Results: At 52 weeks, TCC group demonstrated a significantly higher WBC (p=0.001) , a significantly higher NKG2D value (p=0.001) and a significantly lower VEGF value (p=0.005) when compared to the wait-list group. However, there was a small, non-significant change for P-selectin values between the breast cancer survivor groups. After 72h incubation, TCC group had a significant increase in lymphocyte proliferation (p=0.001) and greater area of lymphocyte clusters or colonies (p=0.001). Conclusion: The practice of TCC could stimulate tumor immunosurveillance via NKG2D and activate the immune response. VEGF, a marker playing an important role in breast cancer and its metastases, was also reduced in those who practiced TCC. As an alternative for conventional exercise, post-treatment breast cancer survivors may select TCC in their rehabilitation program.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine M. Alfano ◽  
Juan Peng ◽  
Rebecca R. Andridge ◽  
Monica E. Lindgren ◽  
Stephen P. Povoski ◽  
...  

Purpose The sequelae of cancer treatment may increase systemic inflammation and create a phenotype at increased risk of functional decline and comorbidities, leading to premature mortality. Little is known about how this trajectory compares with natural aging among peers of the same age without cancer. This longitudinal study investigated proinflammatory cytokines and comorbidity development over time among breast cancer survivors and a noncancer control group. Methods Women (N = 315; 209 with breast cancer and 106 in the control group) were recruited at the time of their work-up for breast cancer; they completed the baseline questionnaire, interview, and blood draw (lipopolysaccharide-stimulated production of interleukin [IL] -6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-1β). Measures were repeated 6 and 18 months after primary cancer treatment (cancer survivors) or within a comparable time frame (control group). Results There were no baseline differences in comorbidities or cytokines between survivors and the control group. Over time, breast cancer survivors had significantly higher tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-6 compared with the control group. Survivors treated with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy accumulated a significantly greater burden of comorbid conditions and suffered greater pain associated with inflammation over time after cancer treatment than did the control group. Conclusion Survivors who had multimodal treatment had higher cytokines and comorbidities, suggestive of accelerated aging. Comorbidities were related to inflammation in this sample, which could increase the likelihood of premature mortality. Given that many comorbidities take years to develop, future research with extended follow-up beyond 18 months is necessary to examine the evidence of accelerated aging in cancer survivors and to determine the responsible mechanisms.


Author(s):  
Hye-Sun Byun ◽  
Hyenam Hwang ◽  
Gyung-Duck Kim

Background: crying therapy is currently being applied in some countries to treat cancer patients, manage pain, and promote mental health. However, little nursing and medical research on the effects of crying therapy has been conducted in other parts of the world. This study aimed to develop a crying therapy program for breast cancer survivors and assess its effects. Interventions/method: data from 27 breast cancer survivors in South Korea were analyzed. The intervention, employing a single group, pre-post-test quasi-experimental design, was divided into three phases, and effects were verified for emotional (distress, fatigue, and mood conditions) and physiological (cortisol, immunoglobulin G, and blood pressure) variables. Results: there were significant changes in distress, mood changes, and immunoglobulin G and smaller changes in blood pressure postintervention. Fatigue and cortisol showed no significant changes. Conclusions: this study demonstrated the effectiveness of a short-term crying therapy program that can induce positive emotional changes and physiological effects in breast cancer survivors. This intervention can improve quality of life, indicating its value as a self-care program for cancer survivors.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 618-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wonshik Chee ◽  
Yaelim Lee ◽  
Eun-Ok Im ◽  
Eunice Chee ◽  
Hsiu-Min Tsai ◽  
...  

Introduction The necessity of culturally competent Internet Cancer Support Groups (ICSGs) for ethnic minorities has recently been highlighted in order to increase its attractiveness and usage. The purpose of this study was to determine the preliminary efficacy of a culturally tailored registered-nurse-moderated ICSG for Asian American breast cancer survivors in enhancing the women’s breast cancer survivorship experience. Methods The study included two phases: (a) a usability test and an expert review; and (b) a randomized controlled pilot intervention study. The usability test was conducted among five Asian American breast cancer survivors using a one-month online forum, and the expert review was conducted among five experts using the Cognitive Walkthrough method. The randomized controlled pilot intervention study (a pre-test and post-test design) was conducted among 65 Asian American breast cancer survivors. The data were analysed using content analysis and descriptive and inferential statistics including the repeated ANOVA. Results All users and experts positively evaluated the program and provided their suggestions for the display, educational contents, and user-friendly structure. There were significant positive changes in the support care needs and physical and psychological symptoms ( p < 0.05) of the control group. There were significant negative changes in the uncertainty level of the intervention group ( p < 0.10). Controlling for background and disease factors, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements than the control group in physical and psychological symptoms and quality of life ( p < 0.10). Discussion The findings supported the positive effects of ICSGs on support care needs, psychological and physical symptoms, and quality of life.


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