Comparison of Outcome Measures for Traditional and Online Support Groups for Breast Cancer Patients: An Integrative Literature Review

Author(s):  
Mary Clare Houlihan, MS, RN ◽  
Joseph D. Tariman, PhD, ANP-BC
2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eilis McCaughan ◽  
Kader Parahoo ◽  
Irene Hueter ◽  
Laurel Northouse

Author(s):  
Bryan McLaughlin ◽  
Shawnika Hull ◽  
Kang Namkoong ◽  
Dhavan Shah ◽  
David H. Gustafson

In the United States, women with breast cancer often find their identity confined by a sociocultural context that encourages them to adopt an overly optimistic outlook while hiding signs of their physical illness. Online social support groups offer a promising venue for breast cancer patients to take control of their self-definition and connect with individuals going through similar experiences. During the analysis of discussion board posts for an online breast cancer support group, ice cream unexpectedly emerged as a central component of group discussions. This included frequent sexual jokes about the deliverymen that brought the women ice cream. A grounded theory analysis revealed that ice cream symbolized the pursuit of everyday, physical desires, which allowed group members to construct a joyful, but forthright, shared identity. This paper demonstrates how online support groups can enable individuals facing a health crisis to use seemingly trivial symbols to take control over their self-definition.


Author(s):  
AJAY MEHTA ◽  
SUCHITRA MEHTA ◽  
PRASAD THAKURDESAI

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of IND02 (standardized Cinnamon bark extract) supplementation for the prevention of side effects of cancer chemotherapy in female patients with breast cancer. Methods: The study was conducted using double-blind, placebo-controlled design in 34 female breast cancer patients during the first 4 consecutive 21-day cycles of the standard chemotherapy regimen. The active treatment (IND02 capsules, 400 mg, one capsule, and thrice a day) or matching placebo was orally administrated in randomized (1:1 ratio) patients. The efficacy outcome measures were reduction in chemotherapy-induced weight loss, alopecia (hair fall), and other side effects. The safety outcome measures were hematology, ECG, vital signs, adverse event monitoring, and laboratory safety measurements. Results: The patients on the treatment with IND02 had shown significant protection from chemotherapy-induced severe weight loss (cachexia) and alopecia (reduced hair density and % hairs in the anagen phase, and increased % hairs in telogen phase) which was seen in the placebo group. IND02 treatment was found safe and well-tolerated during the study. Conclusion: Concomitant use of IND02 in breast cancer patients during breast cancer chemotherapy showed a clinical promise regarding efficacy and safety in preventing chemotherapy-induced weight loss and alopecia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Henri Setiawan ◽  
Heri Ariyanto ◽  
Reffi Nantia Khaerunnisa ◽  
Fidya Anisa Firdaus ◽  
Ade Fitriani

Yoga was a therapy that combined breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques and stretching exercises. The benefits of yoga in general could increase strength, flexibility, train balance, reduce pain, train breathing, smooth organ function, inner calm and improve quality of life. Several differences in the results of studies can influence the decisions of patients and health providers in planning appropriate interventions for breast cancer patients. This literature review aimed to explain the effectiveness of yoga on the quality of life of patients with breast cancer. The research data were identified from five journal databases including PubMed, JSTOR, Willey Online Library, Sage Journal and Taylor Francis Online by using the PIOS (Participant, Intervention, Outcomes and Study Design) method and MeSH term on the advanced search engine. Articles that became research data were articles published in 2007 to 2020 in the English version, open access and full text in the form of original articles or research articles. Of the 1,645 articles found, a screening process was carried out using PRISMA flowchart to eliminate articles that did not meet the criteria. In this literature review study, 9 articles were found that prove that the use of yoga interventions could improve the quality of life of patients. This study reinforced the findings of previous research which showed that yoga could be used effectively in the process of treating patients with breast cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-74
Author(s):  
Yodang Yodang ◽  
Nuridah Nuridah

Currently, cancer includes breast cancer is a predominant disease treated in palliative care services. Breast cancer incidence increased significantly during the last decade and can progress to a late or advanced stage. At this advanced stage, the incidence of the fungating wound occurs in 5-10% of breast cancer patients. The study aims to identify assessment and symptoms management of fungating breast cancer in the palliative care setting. This study applied a literature review method. Searching for articles using 4 journal databases including DOAJ, Google Scholar, Proquest, and Science Direct. 17 articles that met the inclusion criteria of the study. The literature review identifies that the assessment tools are holistic assessment methods, wound assessment charts, and time framework assessments. The major symptoms are mal-odor, pain, exudation, peri-wound maceration and bleeding, psychological and spiritual issues. The studies, which focus on assessment and symptoms management of fungating breast cancer was limited. This affects the comprehensiveness of the review study. Investigation on quality of life among fungating breast cancer patients shortly is needed.   


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e23129-e23129
Author(s):  
L. Leigh Leibel ◽  
Kashinath G. Metri ◽  
Rajendra Prasad ◽  
J. Gregory Mears

e23129 Background: AI therapy causes joint pain in up to half of women, and up to 20% become non-compliant with treatment due to pain and discomfort. This pilot study investigated the efficacy of sukshma vyayama in improving AI-induced joint pain and evaluated the feasibility of delivering the intervention on Facebook. Methods: Breast cancer patients undergoing treatment with AI's with self-reported arthralgia were recruited via an IRB-approved announcement posted in two closed breast cancer support groups on Facebook to participate in a yoga study delivered on Facebook. Participants completed BPI, DASH, PRAI and WOMAC questionnaires before and after the study. Intervention consisted of 12 joint loosening exercises performed in a chair, once daily for 12 minutes, Monday-Friday for 4 weeks. Asynchronous video demonstrations were available in a secret Facebook group and viewing confirmed by typing "done" (time-stamped) in comments. Results: 200 women responded. 38 met the inclusion criteria/consent, 26 completed the online consent, interventions and pre/post questionnaires. Paired simple t tests results showed significant (P < 0.05) improvement in all the pain measures and quality of life parameters after yoga intervention compared to baseline. Conclusions: This study provides the first evidence that it is feasible to teach sukshma vyayama to patients on Facebook and that the intervention significantly improves AI-induced arthralgia. Teaching yoga via social media may provide better access to this therapeutic modality to patients at all points in the cancer care continuum globally. [Table: see text]


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