Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2017
Associations Between Neurotransmitter Genes and Fatigue and Energy Levels in Women Following Breast Cancer Surgery.
Fatigue is a common problem in oncology patients. Less is known about decrements in energy levels and the mechanisms that underlie both fatigue and energy. ⋯ Molecular findings support the hypothesis that fatigue and energy are distinct, yet related symptoms. Results suggest that a large number of neurotransmitters play a role in the development and maintenance of fatigue and energy levels in breast cancer patients.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialImpact of different exercise programs on severe fatigue in patients undergoing anticancer treatment - a randomized controlled trial.
Physical exercise can alleviate cancer-related fatigue. Randomized controlled trials in patients with advanced cancer are scarce. ⋯ Our results imply that tumor-patients' severe general fatigue can be reduced when patients conduct appropriate physical exercise. This study amends previous knowledge, as it describes the impact of outpatient physical exercise on fatigue in a heterogeneous patient cohort with various advanced cancer entities. Furthermore, this trial differentiates between patients with only a self-directed exercise program versus those receiving additional partially professional supervision.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialImpact of Adding a Pictorial Display to Enhance Recall of Cancer Patient Histories: A Randomized Trial.
Current health care delivery models have increased the need for safe and concise patient handover. Handover interventions in the literature have focused on the use of structured tools but have not evaluated their ability to facilitate retention of patient information. ⋯ Most studies examining the institution of handover protocols in the health care setting have failed to harness the power of pictures and other representative images. This study demonstrates the ability of pictorial displays to improve both immediate and delayed recall of patient histories without increasing review time. These types of displays may be amenable to generation by software programs and have the potential to enhance information transfer in various settings.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialMindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Post-Treatment Breast Cancer Patients: Immediate and Sustained Effects across Multiple Symptom Clusters.
Breast cancer survivors (BCS) face adverse physical and psychological symptoms, often co-occurring. Biologic and psychological factors may link symptoms within clusters, distinguishable by prevalence and/or severity. Few studies have examined the effects of behavioral interventions or treatment of symptom clusters. ⋯ Our results provide clinical effectiveness evidence that MBSR(BC) works to improve symptom clusters, particularly for psychological and fatigue symptom clusters, with the greatest improvement occurring during the six-week program with sustained effects for several weeks after MBSR(BC) training.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2017
Remaining lifetime after recognition of terminal illness depends on diagnosis: a nationwide population-based cohort study.
Timely recognition of the terminal phase of life will benefit patients and caregivers as it may facilitate advance care planning and support. ⋯ This study found a median remaining lifetime of 55 days after recognition of terminal illness. Remaining lifetime differed between cancer and noncancer patients and according to age and gender. Increased attention should be directed toward timely recognition of the transition into the terminal phase, especially for patients with noncancer disease.