Journal of psychosomatic research
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The phenomenology of delirium in childhood is understudied. ⋯ Childhood delirium has a different course and symptom profile than adult and geriatric delirium. Adult and geriatric delirium differ only in the severity of cognitive symptoms.
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To determine whether the strength of personal coping capability, the sense of coherence (SOC), makes a unique contribution in explaining the extent of depressive symptoms experienced by family caregivers of terminally ill cancer patients. ⋯ This study confirms that, among the independent variables examined in this study, variations in SOC are comparatively important in explaining the variation of depressive symptoms experienced by Taiwanese family caregivers. Developments and evaluations of the effectiveness of clinical interventions aimed at augmenting caregivers' coping capability (such as SOC) to facilitate positive appraisal and finding meaning, to improve understanding of the demands and challenges of caregiving, and to mobilize resources available to manage caregiving tasks are highly recommended.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A shared decision-making communication training program for physicians treating fibromyalgia patients: effects of a randomized controlled trial.
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a condition of chronic widespread pain that is difficult to control and is associated with strains in physician-patient interaction. Shared decision making (SDM) can be a potential solution to improve interaction. We evaluated the effects of an SDM intervention, including an SDM communication training program for physicians, in a randomized controlled trial with FMS patients. The main objective was to assess whether SDM improves the quality of physician-patient interaction from patients' perspective. ⋯ SDM with FMS patients might be a possible means to achieve a positive quality of physician-patient interaction. A specific SDM communication training program teaches physicians to perform SDM and reduces frustration in patients.
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Psychometric properties of the DASS-Depression scale among a Brazilian population with chronic pain.
Depression is a common contributor to suffering and disability in people with chronic pain. However, the assessment of depression in this population has been hampered by the presence of a number of somatic symptoms that are shared between chronic pain, treatment side-effects and traditional concepts of depression. As a result, the use of depression measures that do not contain somatic items has been encouraged. ⋯ The DASS-Depression scale has adequate psychometric properties and its further use with Brazilian chronic pain populations can now be supported.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Relaxation and guided imagery program in patients with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy is not associated with neuroimmunomodulatory effects.
Treatment of breast cancer is usually associated with significant psychological stress. In this study, we examined the effects of relaxation and visualization therapy (RVT) on psychological distress, cortisol levels, and immunological parameters of breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. ⋯ We conclude that the psychological intervention was capable to attenuate the emotional distress presented during radiotherapy treatment. A longer RVT or worse psychological morbidity at baseline may be necessary to translate psychological into biological changes.