The Effects of Flash Animation Facilitated Oral Self Care Education on the Incidence of Oral Mucositis and Performance of Self-Care in Pediatric Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of oral self-care education on the oral mucositis and oral self-care performance in pediatric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: We conducted the study using the nonequivalent control group and non-synchronized design, and invited pediatric cancer patients, admitted to a university hospital for chemotherapy, to participate in the study. Data collection was completed for the control group first and proceeded to the experimental group. The data were collected from September 24 to November 5, 2015. Twenty children were enrolled in the study and divided into two groups: experimental (n=10) and control (n=10) groups. The children in the experimental group, along with their parents, were provided with a 10-minute flash animation and a brochure, both explaining oral self-care practices. Children in the groups were evaluated for the status of oral mucositis and their ability to perform oral self-care before chemotherapy, as well as at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after the administration of chemotherapy. Descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and repeated measures ANOVA were utilized to test the homogeneity of variance between the two groups and examine the effectiveness of the oral self-care education. RESULTS: Children in the experimental group showed significant improvement in oral self-care performance compared to the control group post oral self-care education. CONCLUSION: Promoting oral self-care practices is an important nursing intervention in the prevention of oral mucositis in pediatric cancer patients. Inclusion of advanced smart technology, such as the use of flash animation, to facilitate nursing intervention could enhance the effectiveness of the intervention in young cancer patients. Broader application of smart technology in patient education is warranted.

Comparison of Injection of Intravitreal Drugs with Standard Care in Macular Edema Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

PURPOSE: To compare the long-term efficacy and safety of intravitreal triamcinolon with or without rescue laser therapy (intravitreal triamcinolone injection [IVTA] group), bevacizumab with or without rescue laser treatment (intravitreal bevacizumab injection [IVB] group), or a combination of both with or without rescue laser therapy (IVTA + IVB group), with standard care for patients with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 151 patients treated with intravitreal injection with or without rescue laser for treatment of macular edema caused by BRVO, and who were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. During the observation period, rescue grid laser or repeated intravitreal injection with initial drug was performed if recurrence of macular edema was confirmed. Visual acuity, change in visual acuity, and intraocular pressure were compared in each phase. RESULTS: Totals of 16%, 5.6%, and 0% of participants in the three groups showed significant visual loss of more than three lines of the Snellen chart at last follow-up. The IVTA group was the least effective treatment modality, with statistical significance. The development rates of elevated intraocular pressure were similar among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although IVTA yielded effects similar to those of standard grid photocoagulation based on the Standard Care vs Corticosteroid for Retinal Vein Occlusion study, IVB or IVTA + IVB with or without rescue laser treatment resulted in improvement in visual acuity at 24 months after the start of treatment and was associated with few serious adverse side effects. Thus, these approaches could be useful for treating macular edema arising secondary to BRVO.

Comparison of Injection of Intravitreal Drugs with Standard Care in Macular Edema Secondary to Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

PURPOSE: To compare the long-term efficacy and safety of intravitreal triamcinolon with or without rescue laser therapy (intravitreal triamcinolone injection [IVTA] group), bevacizumab with or without rescue laser treatment (intravitreal bevacizumab injection [IVB] group), or a combination of both with or without rescue laser therapy (IVTA + IVB group), with standard care for patients with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 151 patients treated with intravitreal injection with or without rescue laser for treatment of macular edema caused by BRVO, and who were followed up at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. During the observation period, rescue grid laser or repeated intravitreal injection with initial drug was performed if recurrence of macular edema was confirmed. Visual acuity, change in visual acuity, and intraocular pressure were compared in each phase. RESULTS: Totals of 16%, 5.6%, and 0% of participants in the three groups showed significant visual loss of more than three lines of the Snellen chart at last follow-up. The IVTA group was the least effective treatment modality, with statistical significance. The development rates of elevated intraocular pressure were similar among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although IVTA yielded effects similar to those of standard grid photocoagulation based on the Standard Care vs Corticosteroid for Retinal Vein Occlusion study, IVB or IVTA + IVB with or without rescue laser treatment resulted in improvement in visual acuity at 24 months after the start of treatment and was associated with few serious adverse side effects. Thus, these approaches could be useful for treating macular edema arising secondary to BRVO.