Psycho-oncology
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The short form of the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-SF34) is a 34-item instrument for assessing the perceived needs of people diagnosed with cancer. This research is aimed at developing a brief screening tool for administration to patients in the clinical setting, by identifying the minimum number and optimal combination of item(s) to measure each of the SCNS-SF34 domains with high sensitivity and specificity. ⋯ Our very brief screening tool can be implemented in a clinical setting to reliably screen for unmet needs among cancer patients, with considerable savings in time and expense, increasing its potential for wide-scale adoption in clinical settings.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Initial evaluation of an Internet intervention to improve the sleep of cancer survivors with insomnia.
Insomnia is a common complaint among cancer survivors. Fortunately, cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has been shown to be an effective treatment in this population. However, it is rarely implemented given its limited availability. To address this barrier, we examined the ability of an easily accessible online CBT-I program to improve insomnia symptoms in cancer survivors. ⋯ CBT-I delivered through an interactive, individually tailored Internet intervention may be a viable treatment option for cancer survivors experiencing insomnia.
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This study examines the relationships between methods of coping with advanced cancer, completion of advance care directives, and receipt of intensive, life-prolonging care near death. ⋯ Positive religious coping and behavioral disengagement are important determinants of completion of advance care directives and receipt of intensive, life-prolonging care near death.
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To date, there is no validated questionnaire to assess fear of movement in cancer survivors. We aim to validate the modified Tampa scale of kinesiophobia-fatigue (TSK-F) in Dutch cancer survivors participating in a rehabilitation programme. We first select the optimal model for cancer survivors. Subsequently, stability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the optimal model is tested. ⋯ The adjusted 11-item TSK-F consisting of two subscales 'somatic focus' and 'activity avoidance' seems to be a robust and valid tool in measuring fear of movement in cancer survivors with an acceptable internal consistency. Further psychometric testing of the TSK-F in cancer survivors is recommended. In the future, TSK-F scores may be used to customise rehabilitation programmes in cancer survivors.
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The difficult decisions encountered by family caregivers in the process of care for patients with terminal cancer are seldom studied. Investigating their experiences with difficult decisions may help relieve their psychological distress. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and difficulty of decisions experienced in end-of-life care and to identify related factors. ⋯ Families frequently encountered difficult decisions while caring for terminally ill loved ones. Better communication with family members, particularly the main caregiver, to diminish negative perceptions of the Natural Death Act could help to decrease psychological distress.