Effects of Telephone Counseling Support on Distress, Anxiety, Depression, and Adverse Events in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

PURPOSE: This study is aimed at identifying the effects of telephone counseling as nursing support on distress, anxiety, depression, and adverse events in cancer patients undergoing their first chemotherapy. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled trial (pretest-posttest design). A total of 70 patients who showed 4 or higher distress scores were selected from the screening process. Four patients dropped out; therefore, 66 patients participated in this research. Thirty-two and 34 patients were randomly assigned to the experimental and the control group, respectively. After a preliminary survey, telephone counseling support was given to the experimental group at three time points. The post survey was done before the second cycle of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Regarding distress, both groups showed a statistically significant decrease in the scores: 3.4 for the experimental group and 1.8 for the control group (p=.002). Furthermore, the experimental group demonstrated a statistically significant decrease relative to the control group. Anxiety and depression showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This study concludes that nursing support through phone counseling is effective in decreasing distress in patients undergoing chemotherapy for the first time.

Trends of Studies Published in Asian Oncology Nursing, 2011~2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze and identify recent trends of published research in Asian Oncology Nursing (AON). METHODS: A total of 140 studies were analyzed using a tool developed by the researchers, focusing on research design, research subject, research themes, and type of interventions and outcome variables of experimental studies. RESULTS: AON lacked studies which were supported by research funds (27.9%), or used an experimental study design (10.0%). In particular, there were only 2 studies (1.4%) conducted with randomized controlled trials (RCT). Research subjects were various, including patients with cancer, family care givers, healthy population, and oncology nurses. Based on a framework of cancer control continuum, most studies addressed issues of the treatment phase, whereas few studies addressed issues of diagnosis, survivorship, or the end-of-life (EOL) phase. Regarding research themes, psychosocial nursing including quality of life, anxiety, and depression was most frequently reported. In the experimental studies, an education program was most frequently applied and psycho-social-spiritual variables and symptoms were most frequently used to evaluate the effects of the intervention. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that further expansion of RCT and studies regarding diagnosis, survivorship, and EOL phases are needed. Also, our findings may contribute toward the development of a Korean oncology nursing research agenda.

Satisfaction with Korean Oncology Advanced Practice Nurses' Role: A Study of Patients, Physicians, and Nurses

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the level of satisfaction with the role of Korean oncology advanced practice nurses (KOAPNs) among cancer patients, physicians, and nurses. METHODS: This study was conducted with 176 patients who had experienced KOPANs' care more than three times, as well as 82 physicians and 190 nurses who have worked with KOAPNs at four hospitals in Korea. RESULTS: The results indicate that 1) Overall satisfaction in the patient group was high (3.61) and they were most satisfied with the 'attentiveness' domain; 2) Overall satisfaction in the physician group was also high (3.61), however, that in the nurse group was relatively low (3.28); 'coordination & cooperation' showed the highest score for satisfaction in both groups, while 'research' domain showed the lowest score; 3) Cancer type in patients, working department in physicians or nurses, and duration working with KOAPNs in nurses showed significant association with satisfaction; and 4) The ratio of KOAPNs-to-patient, time since introduction of the KOAPNs policy, and incentive system were institutional factors showing significant association with it. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the necessity for identification and standardization of the roles of KOAPNs, as well as promotion of awareness of KOAPNs' care.

The Effects of Foot Reflexology on Peripheral Neuropathy, Symptom Distress, Anxiety and Depression in Cancer Patients Treated with Oxaliplatin

PURPOSE: This study was done to clarify the effects of foot reflexology on peripheral neuropathy, symptom distress, anxiety and depression in cancer patients treated with oxaliplatin. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design was employed. Changes in the variables were evaluated to test the effects of foot reflexology. Participants were cancer patients treated with oxaliplatin (experimental group 14 and control group 17). Peripheral neuropathy, symptom distress, anxiety and depression were measured before and after reflexology. Data were collected from October, 2010 to April, 2011. chi2-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The experimental group who received foot reflexology experienced less peripheral neuropathy and symptom distress than the control group. There was no difference in anxiety and depression between the experimental and control group. CONCLUSION: The foot reflexology program adopted in this study was found to be an effective method to reduce peripheral neuropathy and symptom distress. We recommend foot reflexology for patients with chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy.