Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2016
ReviewSickle Cell Disease: A Review of Non-Pharmacological Approaches for Pain.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a life-threatening condition that affects more than seven million people worldwide. The most common complication experienced by persons living with SCD is pain. Evidence supports the use of nonpharmacologic therapies in managing psychological and social complications of pain in persons with SCD, but there is little consensus if these approaches can also be applied for the treatment of pain in SCD. ⋯ Approximately half of the studies reviewed demonstrated success in alleviating pain, suggesting that patients are able to use nonpharmacological interventions to reduce pain with some degree of success. Questions still remain regarding the efficacy and generalizability of these interventions for persons with SCD.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2016
Multicenter StudyEstablishing Cut-off Points for Defining Symptom Severity Using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Revised Japanese Version.
Symptom screening is important for appropriate symptom management. It remains uncertain as to which scores on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Revised (ESAS-r) comprise the optimal cutoff points to determine symptom severity for Japanese cancer patients. ⋯ The ESAS-r Japanese version can accurately represent the severity of many symptoms. The cutoff points established for determining the level of symptom severity using ESAS-r provides a guide for symptom management in Japanese cancer patients.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2016
Multicenter StudyQuality of Care and Satisfaction with Care on Palliative Care Units.
There is little research on quality of care specific to palliative care units (PCUs). ⋯ The elements identified support the delivery of quality care. They may act as a guide for those planning to develop PCUs and form the basis for measures of satisfaction with care.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialThe Social Convoy for Family Caregivers Over the Course of Hospice.
Family caregivers play a central role in the care of those in hospice care. Little is known about the social support networks for those providing this day-to-day care without training. ⋯ This result illustrates the potential importance of ongoing comprehensive assessment of caregiver networks and attention to interventions that may assist in capitalizing on both the quantity of support (numbers of individuals asked to help) and the quality of social support (attending to issues of support burden).
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Feb 2016
POST Forms More Than Advance Directives Associated with Out-of-Hospital Death: Insights from a State Registry.
Patients' end-of-life care outcomes often do not reflect their preferences. Ninety-two percent of West Virginians prefer to die outside the hospital, yet only 58.8% do. ⋯ A prospective study is needed to validate that a statewide POST program and registry provide a more effective way than ADs to express, document, and honor patients' preferences for an OHD.