The American journal of hospice & palliative care
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The number of elderly persons is expected to increase to 55 million by 2020, with the minority population increasing to 12.9 million, yet fewer than 30% of Americans have advance directives in place. Cultural values, religious beliefs, and family support systems are a few of the factors that influence or hinder the completion of advance directives. ⋯ Many primary care providers are reluctant to initiate conversations regarding advance directives for multiple reasons. Nurse practitioners cover more than 600 million office visits per year in the United States and are in a key position to educate, advocate, and assist in the completion of advance directives.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Jun 2012
The effects of Reiki therapy on pain and anxiety in patients attending a day oncology and infusion services unit.
Reiki is a system of natural healing techniques administered by laying of hands and transferring energy from the Reiki practitioner to the recipient. We investigated the role of Reiki in the management of anxiety, pain and global wellness in cancer patients. Building on the results of a pilot project conducted between 2003 and 2005 by a volunteer association at our hospital, a wider, 3-year study was conducted at the same center. ⋯ In the subgroup of 22 patients who underwent the full cycle of 4 treatments, the mean VAS anxiety score decreased from 6.77 to 2.28 (P <.000001) and the mean VAS pain score from 4.4 to 2.32 (P = .091). Overall, the sessions were felt helpful in improving well-being, relaxation, pain relief, sleep quality and reducing anxiety. Offering Reiki therapy in hospitals could respond to patients' physical and emotional needs.
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Am J Hosp Palliat Care · Jun 2012
Review Case ReportsOral ketamine in the palliative care setting: a review of the literature and case report of a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 and glomus tumor-associated complex regional pain syndrome.
Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, has been shown to be effective not only for its anesthetic properties but also for the analgesic and opiate-sparing effects. However, data on efficacy and safety of oral ketamine for the treatment of neuropathic or cancer pain syndromes is limited with most of the evidence based on small clinical trials and anecdotal experiences. In this review, we will analyze the clinical data on oral ketamine in the palliative care setting. ⋯ In addition, we will include a case report of a 38-year-old female with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) with history of chronic, severe pain in her fingertips secondary to multiple glomus tumors which evolved into CRPS resistant to multiple therapies but responsive to oral ketamine. Based on our experience with oral ketamine, this drug should be administered after an intravenous trial to monitor response and side effects in patients with an adequate functional status. However, patients in the palliative care and hospice setting, especially the one at the end of their lives, may also benefit from oral ketamine even if an intravenous trial is not feasible.
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Haloperidol is a butyrophenone neuroleptic agent characterized as a high-affinity dopamine antagonist, originally used for the treatment of schizophrenia. Awareness of the role dopamine plays in many symptoms in palliative care, such as nausea, vomiting, and delirium, has led to the use of dopamine antagonists such as haloperidol for the treatment of these symptoms in the palliative care setting. ⋯ This article will review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and current uses of haloperidol in palliative medicine. There will be an examination of the evidence base for the use of haloperidol in palliative medicine.