Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialGabapentin as an Adjuvant Therapy for Prevention of Acute Phantom-Limb Pain in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Amputation for Malignant Bone Tumors: A Prospective Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.
Gabapentin is reported to have an analgesic effect of reducing phantom-limb pain (PLP) in adult patients. There is no study on preoperative use of gabapentin in pediatric population in terms of PLP prevention. ⋯ In pediatric patients, gabapentin shows the effect of preventing PLP and reducing postoperative pain intensity in acute period after amputation. Initiation of gabapentin therapy as an adjuvant to opioids before amputation is beneficial with no severe adverse effect.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialCauses of hospital admissions in Domus: a randomized controlled trial of specialized palliative cancer care at home.
Avoidable hospital admissions are important negative indicators of quality of end-of-life care. Specialized palliative care (SPC) may support patients remaining at home. ⋯ The intervention did not prevent hospital admissions. Likely, any intervention effects were outweighed by increased identification of problems in the intervention group leading to hospital admissions. Overall, patients and caregivers felt safe in their current place of care.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialMeasuring the psychosocial dimensions of quality of life in advanced cancer patients: Psychometrics of the German Quality of Life at the End of Life-Cancer-Psychosocial (QUAL-EC-P) Questionnaire.
Quality of life (QoL) is a central focus of care in advanced cancer. Specialized instruments, such as the Quality of Life at the End of Life-Cancer (QUAL-EC), may be useful to assess psychosocial issues associated with QoL unique to this population. ⋯ The QUAL-EC-P questionnaire may be used to assess the psychosocial aspects of QoL and promote their clinical discussion in patients with advanced cancer.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Mar 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of Tai Chi Exercise on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Undergoing Chemoradiotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Tai Chi exercise has been shown to improve cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) balance in some cancer patients or survivors; however, such effects are yet to be verified in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy. ⋯ Tai Chi exercise is conducive to alleviate CRF in NPC patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy. The improvement in ANS balance might fit into the process of Tai Chi for CRF management in this population.