Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialImpact of Prophylactic Fentanyl Pectin Nasal Spray on Exercise-Induced Episodic Dyspnea in Cancer Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.
Episodic breathlessness is common and debilitating in cancer patients. ⋯ FPNS was safe, reduced dyspnea at rest, and increased walk distance in before-after comparison. The placebo effect was substantial, which needs to be factored in future study designs.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialDignity through integrated symptom management: lessons from the Breathlessness Support Service.
Dignity is poorly conceptualized and little empirically explored in end-of-life care. A qualitative evaluation of a service offering integrated palliative and respiratory care for patients with advanced disease and refractory breathlessness uncovered an unexpected outcome, it enhanced patients' dignity. ⋯ Dignity is an integrated concept and can be affected by influences from other areas such as illness-related concerns. The intervention shows that targeting the symptom holistically and equipping patients with the means for self-care realized the outcome of dignity.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2016
High levels of geriatric palliative care needs in hip fracture patients before the hip fracture.
Most hip fracture care models are grounded in curative models where the goal is to return the patient to independent function. In many instances, however, hip fractures contribute to continued functional decline and mortality. Although the negative impact of hip fractures is appreciated once they have occurred, what is less understood is what proportion of older adults have high illness burden before experiencing hip fracture and might benefit from geriatric palliative care. ⋯ A significant proportion of older adults have evidence of functional and medical vulnerability before hip fracture. For these individuals, integration of geriatric palliative care may be particularly important for optimizing quality of life and addressing the high morbidity experienced by this population.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2016
Nordic Walking as an Exercise Intervention to Reduce Pain in Women with Aromatase Inhibitor Associated Arthralgia: A Feasibility Study.
Women taking aromatase inhibitors as treatment for breast cancer commonly experience joint pain and stiffness (aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgia [AIAA]), which can cause problems with adherence. There is evidence that exercise might be helpful, and Nordic walking could reduce joint pain compared to normal walking. ⋯ Our findings indicate that women with AIAA are prepared to take up Nordic walking, complete a six-week supervised course and maintain increased activity levels over a 12-week period with no adverse effects.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2016
Walls and Barriers. Polish Achievements and the Challenges of Transformation: Building a Hospice Movement in Poland.
In this review, the authors discuss the creation and development of hospice-palliative care in Poland and present attempts to move from religious care into spiritual companionship, using examples of concrete activities and challenges, which-like subsequent walls and barriers-have appeared inside and around us.