Psycho-oncology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Spiritual quality of life in advanced cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.
The aim of this randomized controlled trial for patients with advanced cancer receiving radiation therapy was to determine the effect of a multidisciplinary intervention on spiritual quality of life (QOL) at the end of the intervention (week 4) and at two follow-up time points (weeks 26 and 52). ⋯ The results indicate that a multidisciplinary intervention which includes a spiritual component can maintain the spiritual QOL of patients with advanced cancer during radiation therapy.
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Meta Analysis
Prevalence of depression in cancer patients: a meta-analysis of diagnostic interviews and self-report instruments.
We aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression in cancer patients assessed by diagnostic interviews and self-report instruments, and to study differences in prevalence between type of instrument, type of cancer and treatment phase. ⋯ Pooled mean prevalence of depression in cancer patients ranged from 8% to 24% and differed by the type of instrument, type of cancer and treatment phase. Future prospective studies should disentangle whether differences in prevalence of depression are caused by differences in the type of instrument, type of cancer or treatment phase. © 2013 The Authors. Psycho-Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Although spouses bereaved after cancer are considered vulnerable people, there have been few empirical studies to explore grief specifically in this context. ⋯ Few empirical studies (20 of 76) target spousal bereavement specifically after cancer. The process of adaptation to loss is usually decontextualized, removing any consideration of the relationship to the deceased or the experience of caregiving and dying. Our findings suggest that this topic warrants more studies that use both prospective and mixed methodologies, as well as explore typical grief needs and experiences of bereaved spouses.
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We aimed to assess whether awareness of a terminal illness can affect care decision making processes and the achievement of a good death in advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care services. ⋯ Awareness of the terminal illness had beneficial effect on the harmonious decision making, patient autonomy, and patient's quality of death. Disclosure of terminal illness should be encouraged.
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Review Meta Analysis
The psychological experience of living with head and neck cancer: a systematic review and meta-synthesis.
To summarise patients' experiences of head and neck cancer (HNC) by examining the findings of existing qualitative studies ⋯ This review supports further specific research into these emerging themes and provides a context for future work, informing interventions to improve patients' experiences.