European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society
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To develop assessment criteria for evaluating and documenting status of external lymphedema and fibrosis in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). ⋯ Validation of the modified HN-ELAF Assessment Criteria in larger sample sizes is ongoing.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A clinical randomized controlled trial of music therapy and progressive muscle relaxation training in female breast cancer patients after radical mastectomy: results on depression, anxiety and length of hospital stay.
To examine effects of music therapy and progressive muscle relaxation training on depression, anxiety and length of hospital stay in Chinese female breast cancer patients after radical mastectomy. ⋯ Music therapy and progressive muscle relaxation training can reduce depression, anxiety and length of hospital stay in female breast cancer patients after radical mastectomy.
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Caregiving burden affects the lives of family members providing care to patients with advanced cancer, with a host of factors possibly contributing to this. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of patient and caregiver variables on the perceptions of burden in families caring for a loved one living with advanced cancer in Greece. ⋯ Greek family caregivers reporting greater depressive mood and difficulty with caregiving tasks, those married, those not employed, and those who cared for patients who had not undergone surgery were found at greater distress and disadvantage. Systematic assessment and intervention strategies are required to identify these vulnerable carers and help them cope when sharing in patient's cancer experience.
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The aim of this sequential mixed methods study was to develop a PRO-CTCAE (Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events)-based measure of the symptom experience of late effects in German speaking long-term survivors of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT), and to examine its content validity. ⋯ Qualitative and quantitative data provide preliminary evidence supporting the content validity of PROVIVO and identify a PRO-CTCAE item bundle for use in SCT survivors. A study to evaluate the measurement properties of PROVIVO and to examine its capacity to improve survivorship care planning is underway.
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Pain is an unpleasant human experience, often associated with underlying medical conditions, and a key reason for individuals experiencing pain to seek medical advice. However, the pain experience is unique and subjective, and affects people's quality of life, as well as impacting on their concerned family members. Optimal pain management requires adequate knowledge, a positive attitude, and competent pain assessment measures. It has been reported that oncology nurses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) have inadequate knowledge, assessment skills and management of pain. ⋯ The results indicate the urgency needed to reform pain management education for oncology nurses in the KSA.