Symptom Distress In Cancer Patients Research Articles

Effect of Flexibility Exercise on Symptom Distress of Cancer Patient Undergoing Chemotherapy

Background: Cancer is a growing disease and a leading cause of death globally. Cancer can be treatedwith chemotherapy treatment which causes side effects like symptom distress. Symptom distress can beovercome by non-pharmacological, one of which is flexibility exercise.Object: to identify effect of flexibility exercise on symptom distress in cancer patients undergoingchemotherapy.Methods: The study design used a quasi-experimental design with an equivalent control group. There were40 respondents of cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy which were divided into two groups,20 intervention, and 20 control groups. The sampling technique was consecutive sampling. The data werecollected by the Symptom Distress Scale. The data were analyzed by a paired t-test in the intervention groupbefore and after the intervention and control group.Results: The results obtained were differences in symptoms distress in the intervention group after flexibilityexercise (t=13.24, p=0.00). The study was also analyzed by an independent t-test showing that therewere differences in symptoms distress between the intervention and the control group of cancer patientsundergoing chemotherapy (t=-2.42, p=0.02).Conclusion: The flexibility exercise can be a non-pharmacological measure to help reduce symptoms ofcancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Research progress of treatment-related symptom in cancer patients

This paper introduced the concepts of symptom as well as the symptom cluster, and analyzed the reasons of treatment-related symptom in cancer patients, and also systematically reviewed the assessment tools, epidemiology and management of treatment-related symptom among cancer patients. This paper also put forward problems and suggestions of management for treatment-related symptom among cancer patients to provide a reference for clinical symptom management so as to relieve the symptom distress of cancer patients. Key words: Review; Neoplasms; Treatment-related symptom; Symptom distress; Symptom management

Construct Validity of the Spanish Versions of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale Short Form and Condensed Form: Rasch Analysis of Responses in Oncology Outpatients

ContextThe Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) is a self-rating instrument for the assessment of symptom distress in cancer patients. The Spanish version of the MSAS has recently been validated. However, we lack evidence of the internal construct validity of the shorter versions (short form [MSAS-SF] and condensed form [CMSAS]). In addition, rigorous testing of these scales with modern psychometric methods is needed. ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the internal construct validity and reliability of the Spanish versions of the MSAS-SF and CMSAS in oncology outpatients using Rasch analysis. MethodsData from a convenience sample of oncology outpatients receiving chemotherapy (n = 306; mean age 60 years; 63% women) at a university hospital were analyzed. The Rasch unidimensional measurement model was used to examine response category functioning, item hierarchy, targeting, unidimensionality, reliability, and differential item functioning by age, gender, and marital status. ResultsThe response category structure of the symptom distress items was improved by collapsing two categories. The scales were adequately targeted to the study patients, showed overall Rasch model fit (mean Infit MnSq ranged from 0.98 to 1.05), met criteria for unidimensionality, and the reliability of scores was good (person reliability > 0.80), except for the CMSAS prevalence scale. Only four items showed differential item functioning. ConclusionThe present study demonstrated that the Spanish versions of the MSAS-SF and CMSAS have adequate psychometric properties to evaluate symptom distress in oncology outpatients. Additional studies of the CMSAS are recommended.

방사선 치료 중인 암환자의 주관적 행복감 향상을 위한 탐색적 연구

본 연구는 방사선 치료 중인 암환자의 주관적 행복감을 향상시키기 위한 서비스를 탐색하기 위한 것이다. 백 한 명의 방사선 치료중인 암환자를 대상으로 설문조사하여 주관적 행복감에 영향을 줄 수 있는 자기의식과 증상 불편감을 파악하여, SPSS 20.0 프로그램을 이용하여 독립표본검정, 일원분산분석, 피어슨 상관분석을 시행하였다. 방사선 치료중인 암환자의 불편감은 피로감, 외모변화, 현기증, 식욕저하, 수면장애의 순으로 높게 나타났으며, 암환자의 주관적 행복감은 증상불편감이 낮을수록, 그리고 개인의 내면적인 의식이 높을수록 향상됨을 나타냈다. 따라서 방사선 치료기간 동안 주관적 행복감을 향상시키기 위해서는 증상불편감은 감소시키고, 개인의 의식수준을 향상시킬 수 있는 신체적 심리적 정서적 측면을 고려한 통합적 서비스가 필요하다. 이를 위해서는 기존의 서비스 프로그램의 보완과 환자의 편의를 고려한 치료병원과 지역암센터나 보건기관을 연계할 수 있는 시스템이 준비되어야 할 것이다. This study is to find a service that improves the subjective happiness of cancer patients that receive radiation therapy. One hundred and one cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy were enrolled in the survey to verify the self-consciousness and symptom distress that could affect the subjective happiness. Independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation were conducted with the SPSS 20.0 program. Symptom distress of cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy showed highest in the order of fatigue, appearance changes, dizziness, loss of appetite, and sleep disorders. And lower symptom distress, higher private self-consciousness were significantly correlated with higher subjective happiness among patients receiving radiation therapy for cancer. Study findings reflect the necessity of an integrative approach combining physical, psychological and emotional interventions during a radiotherapy period. For this cause, it would be necessary to supplement previously existing service programs and organize a patient-friendly system that could affiliate regional cancer centers or Public health centers with the hospitals in which the patients are being treated.

Outpatient massage impact on symptom distress in cancer patients and caregivers.

e20651 Background: Massage as a manual therapy has shown benefit for symptomatic relief in cancer patients and their caregivers. We explored the impact of a single massage session on self-reported symptoms in an outpatient setting at a large academic cancer center. Methods: Data were reviewed from massage sessions (30 or 60 minute duration) at our Integrative Medicine Center outpatient clinic from May, 2011 through December, 2013. Participants completed a pre- and post-massage symptom assessment instrument, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS; 10 symptoms, scale from 0-10, where 10 is most severe). Global symptom distress (GSD; range 0-100) was calculated as the sum of individual symptom scores. ESAS subscales analyzed included Physical Distress (PHS; range 0-70) and Psychological Distress (PSS; range 0-30). Data were analyzed examining the pre and post scores using paired t-tests. Results: Our analysis included data collected from 1478 massage visits for 555 participants (mean 2.7 visits/person) ...

Assessment of Symptom Distress in Cancer Patients Before and After Radiotherapy

Previous literature revealed that cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy commonly experience physical and psychological symptom distress. Except lack of medical information, inadequate communication with physicians also affected patients' willingness and preparation toward radiotherapy. The prognosis consequently becomes worse. This study aimed to evaluate the change in symptom distress in cancer patients after radiotherapy and its predisposing factors. A longitudinal design was conducted on 164 cancer patients who underwent radiotherapy at a medical center in southern Taiwan. The structured questionnaire included sections on demographics, medical conditions, and a symptom distress scale. Of the cancer patients, 35.9% reported an increase in the overall figures of symptom distress after radiotherapy, whereas 32.2% experienced a decrease. Cancer patients 20 to 39 years old or who received radiotherapy on the head and neck reported the greatest increase in bleeding and the overall figure of symptom distress. Patients after radiotherapy on the head and neck experienced significant increase in bowel disturbance. Radiotherapy did not necessarily increase symptom distress in all patients. The development of bleeding and the overall figure of symptom distress were closely related to younger age and site of radiotherapy. For those cancer patients 20 to 39 years old or who received radiotherapy on the head and neck, nurses may strengthen health education before radiotherapy and pay more attention after radiotherapy, especially in bleeding distress, and remind their families of the correct steps for nursing a wound after radiotherapy and the harmful effects of wound odor on patients' interpersonal relations.

Assessing symptom distress in cancer patients. The M.D. Anderson symptom inventory. (The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas) Cancer 2000;89:1634-1646.

The purpose of this project was to develop the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), a brief measure of the severity and impact of cancer-related symptoms. A list of symptoms was generated from symptom inventories and by panels of clinicians. Twenty-six symptoms and 6 interference items were rated by a validation sample of 527 outpatients, a sample of 30 inpatients from the blood and bone marrow transplantation service, and a cross-validation sample of 113 outpatients. Clinical judgement and statistical techniques were used to reduce the number of symptoms. Reliability, validity, and sensitivity of the MDASI were examined. Cluster analysis, best subset analysis, and clinical judgement reduced the number of symptoms to a “core” list of 13 that accounted for 64% of the variance in symptom distress. Factor analysis demonstrated a similar pattern in both outpatient samples, and two symptom factors and the interference scale were reliable. Expected differences in symptom pattern and severity were found between patients with “good” versus “poor” performance status and between patients in active therapy and patients who were seen for follow-up. Patients rated fatigue-related symptoms as the most severe. Groups of patients classified by disease or treatment had severe symptoms that were not on the “core” list. Conclude the core items of the MDASI accounted for the majority of symptom distress reported by cancer patients in active treatment and those who were followed after treatment. The MDASI should prove useful for symptom surveys, clinical trials, and patient monitoring, and its format should allow Internet or telephone administration.

Assessing symptom distress in cancer patients: the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory.

The purpose of this project was to develop the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), a brief measure of the severity and impact of cancer-related symptoms. A list of symptoms was generated from symptom inventories and by panels of clinicians. Twenty-six symptoms and 6 interference items were rated by a validation sample of 527 outpatients, a sample of 30 inpatients from the blood and bone marrow transplantation service, and a cross-validation sample of 113 outpatients. Clinical judgment and statistical techniques were used to reduce the number of symptoms. Reliability, validity, and sensitivity of the MDASI were examined. Cluster analysis, best subset analysis, and clinical judgment reduced the number of symptoms to a "core" list of 13 that accounted for 64% of the variance in symptom distress. Factor analysis demonstrated a similar pattern in both outpatient samples, and two symptom factors and the interference scale were reliable. Expected differences in symptom pattern and severity were found between patients with "good" versus "poor" performance status and between patients in active therapy and patients who were seen for follow-up. Patients rated fatigue-related symptoms as the most severe. Groups of patients classified by disease or treatment had severe symptoms that were not on the "core" list. The core items of the MDASI accounted for the majority of symptom distress reported by cancer patients in active treatment and those who were followed after treatment. The MDASI should prove useful for symptom surveys, clinical trials, and patient monitoring, and its format should allow Internet or telephone administration.

Self-reported symptom distress in cancer patients: Reflections of disease, illness or sickness?

This article examines the relationships between symptom distress in a heterogeneous group of cancer patients and a number of possible explanatory variables, categorized as demographic, medical/clinical, individual/psychosocial and variables related to patients' views of care provided by the health care system. A series of explorative multiple regression analyses were undertaken to this end. The data are derived from a cross-sectional study of cancer patients diagnosed in 1987 at one general hospital in the greater Stockholm area, using semi-structured interviews in conjunction with McCorkle and Young's Symptom Distress Scale, Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence Questionnaire, Cutrona and Russell's Social Provisions Scale and Smilkstein's Family APGAR. Symptom distress is studied as a cumulative index, as well as in terms of the sub-indexes of pain, appetite/nausea, functional aspects, psychological aspects and social aspects. When the four categories of explanatory variables are combined, considerably higher levels of variance are explained for all 6 indexes of the Symptom Distress Scale, than when the regression analyses are performed separately with each distinct category of explanatory variables. This provides a statistical illustration of the multifaceted and complex nature of symptom distress. The data are presented in the context of a conceptual discussion about the meaning of symptoms. Symptom distress, in this study, appears to reflect both personal and cultural experiences, that is ‘illness’ and ‘sickness’ processes, rather than primarily medical/clinical variables, or ‘disease’. Antonovsky's salutogenic model is suggested as a fruitful framework for further analysis.