Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Aug 2007
Comparative StudyA non-randomized comparison of mindfulness-based stress reduction and healing arts programs for facilitating post-traumatic growth and spirituality in cancer outpatients.
The aim of this study was to compare a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program and a healing through the creative arts (HA) program on measures of post-traumatic growth (PTGI-R), spirituality (FACIT-Sp), stress (SOSI), and mood disturbance (POMS) in cancer patients. ⋯ Both programs may improve facilitation of positive growth after traumatic life experiences for those who choose to participate. MBSR may be more helpful than HA in enhancing spirituality and reducing stress, depression, and anger.
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Support Care Cancer · Jul 2007
ReviewElective removal of cuffed central venous catheters in children.
Subcutaneously tunneled, cuffed central venous catheters (CVCs) are commonly used in children undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. When their use is no longer indicated or precluded by mechanical or infectious complications, CVCs have to be removed. General instructions on how cuffed CVC should be removed are available in the medical texts but none is adapted for use in children. ⋯ Further studies are needed to define the optimal management of CVC removal in pediatric patients. A sequence of positioning the child, use of sedation, dissecting out the cuff, pulling off the catheter, closing the exit wound, and handling of the removed catheter is suggested.
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Support Care Cancer · Jul 2007
The current status of palliative care teams in Japanese university hospitals: a nationwide questionnaire survey.
Although the importance of the palliative care team (PCT) to university hospitals is widely accepted, the issues of palliative care at the national level have not been clarified. We conducted a nationwide survey of the current status of PCTs in all (123) Japanese university hospitals. ⋯ The entire system of palliative care in Japanese university hospitals is currently insufficient. The lack of physicians and nurses who specialize in palliative care is a significant barrier, and therefore, the initiation of a formal training system for these health care professionals is a high priority issue.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2007
Telephone consultation in palliative care for cancer patients: 5 years of experience in The Netherlands.
To analyze cancer patient-related consultations of a telephone helpdesk (TH) for palliative care over a period of 5 years in the region of Utrecht, The Netherlands. ⋯ After more than 5 years, the 24-h telephone consultation service fulfills a need for general practitioners dealing with daily dilemmas in palliative care treatment for cancer patients at home during the last period of their life.
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Support Care Cancer · Jun 2007
Dexamethasone for the prophylaxis of radiation-induced pain flare after palliative radiotherapy for bone metastases: a pilot study.
To investigate the efficacy of dexamethasone as a prophylactic adjuvant analgesic to decrease pain flare and to assess its safety and tolerance of dexamethasone. ⋯ Dexamethasone might be effective in the prophylaxis of radiation-induced pain flare after palliative radiotherapy for bone metastases. Randomized trials are required to confirm the finding.