Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effectiveness of acupressure for the control and management of chemotherapy-related acute and delayed nausea: a randomized controlled trial.
Both positive and negative results have been reported in the literature from the use of acupressure at the P6 point, providing evidence of highly suggestive but not conclusive results. ⋯ No clear recommendations can be made about the use of acupressure wristbands in the management of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting as results did not reach statistical significance. However, the study provided evidence of encouraging signals in relation to improved nausea experience and warrants further consideration in both practice and further clinical trials.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Dec 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyTraining intervention for health care staff in the provision of existential support to patients with cancer: a randomized, controlled study.
When a patient receives a cancer diagnosis, existential issues become more compelling. Throughout the illness trajectory, patients with cancer are cared for in oncology wards, by home care teams or in hospices. Nurses working with these patients are sometimes aware of the patients' existential needs but do not feel confident when discussing these issues. ⋯ This study shows that short-term training with reflection improves the confidence of health care staff when communicating, which is important for health care managers with limited resources. Further studies are needed to explore how patients experience the communication skills of health care staff after such training.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Nov 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialExploring oral literacy in communication with hospice caregivers.
Low oral literacy has been identified as a barrier to pain management for informal caregivers who receive verbal instructions on pain medication and pain protocols. ⋯ As the grade level of talk with caregivers and hospice teams increased, associated caregiver anxiety increased. Caregivers with higher anxiety also experienced greater difficulty in understanding pain medication and its management. Specific adjustments that hospice teams can make to improve caregiver experiences are identified.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialCaffeine as an adjuvant therapy to opioids in cancer pain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Opioid therapy often shows insufficient efficacy and substantial adverse events in patients with advanced cancer. ⋯ Caffeine infusion significantly reduced pain and drowsiness, but the reduction did not reach clinical significance in patients with advanced cancer undergoing opioid therapy. Further investigations are warranted.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialHigh-flow oxygen and bilevel positive airway pressure for persistent dyspnea in patients with advanced cancer: a phase II randomized trial.
Dyspnea is one of the most distressing symptoms for cancer patients. The role of high-flow oxygen (HFO) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) in the palliation of dyspnea has not been well characterized. ⋯ HFO and BiPAP alleviated dyspnea, improved physiologic parameters, and were safe. Our results justify larger randomized controlled trials to confirm these findings.