Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2022
"Only I know now, of course, how to deal with it, or better to deal with it": A mixed methods phase II study of a cognitive and behavioral intervention for the management of episodic breathlessness.
Episodic breathlessness is characterized by increased breathlessness intensity, and it is burdensome for patients. A vicious cycle of breathlessness-anxiety/panic-breathlessness leads to emergencies that can rarely be alleviated by drugs. Non-pharmacological interventions seem to be beneficial: Can a brief cognitive and behavioral intervention help patients to better manage episodic breathlessness? ⋯ The brief cognitive and behavioral intervention and the study procedures are feasible, safe, and well accepted. We can describe a change for better management of episodic breathlessness in patients after the intervention, still, this needs to be evaluated in a Phase III trial for inclusion in the management of episodic breathlessness.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2022
Observational StudyIntelligent Palliative Care Based on Patient-Reported Outcome Measures.
The growth of patient reported outcome measures data in palliative care provides an opportunity for machine learning to identify patterns in patient responses signifying different phases of illness. ⋯ These preliminary results, when coupled with the latest technological developments in mobile apps and wearable technology, could point the way to increased use of digital therapeutics in continuous palliative care monitoring.
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The International Narcotics Control Board's (INCB) opioids consumption data are often cited in the literature and by policy makers to benchmark the adequacy of pain management among different countries. This practice may be inaccurate as INCB data does not account for variations in disease burden and use of other pain medications and only controls for population sizes differences among countries. ⋯ INCB data should not be utilized to benchmark the adequacy of pain management among different countries without taking into consideration variations in disease burden and the use of tramadol and other pain drugs.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2022
Multicenter StudyPalliative and End-of-Life Care After Severe Stroke.
The distinct illness trajectory after acute ischemic stroke demands a better understanding of the utilization of palliative care consultations (PCC) for this patient cohort. This study sought to determine the prevalence, predictors, and outcomes associated with PCC for patients hospitalized with severe ischemic stroke. ⋯ Most patients with severe stroke do not receive PCC, even among those who experience in-hospital death. The results of this study indicate there are missed opportunities for PCC to help reduce suffering after severe stroke.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2022
International standards for pediatric palliative care: from IMPaCCT to GO-PPaCS.
Since the publication of the IMPaCCT project in 2007, much effort has been made to develop new approaches to pediatric palliative care (PPC). Fifteen years later, it is time to redefine the standards in PPC. ⋯ The present document, developed with the contribution of an international group of experts from different countries, experiences and models of care, provides fundamental points and standards for a wider implementation of PPC worldwide.