Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Levels and Cancer-related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors: Effects of an Exercise Adherence Program / 한국유방암학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to determine the effect of an exercise intervention on subjective cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in breast cancer survivors (BCS). @*Methods@#BCS with greater than moderate CRF (≥ 4) were recruited and randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. The experimental group participated in a 12-week exercise adherence program (Better Life after Cancer - Energy, Strength, and Support; BLESS). Interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were determined at 3 time points (M1: baseline, M2: post-intervention, and M4: 6 months after intervention). Subjective fatigue was measured using the Korean version of the revised Piper Fatigue Scale. @*Results@#In this analysis of participants with physiological fatigue measures available (19 experimental, 21 control), there were no statistically significant differences in IL-6 (F = 1.157, p = 0.341), TNF-α levels (F = 0.878, p = 0.436), and level of fatigue (F = 2.067, p = 0.118) between the 2 groups at baseline. Fatigue in the experimental group showed statistically significant improvement compared to the control only at M2 (p = 0.022). There was no significant relationship between subjective and physiological fatigue at the 3 measurement points. @*Conclusion@#The BLESS intervention improved CRF in BCS immediately at post-intervention, and this study presents clinical feasibility for the management of CRF in BCS in the early survivorship phase who are already experiencing fatigue.

The Development of the Integrated Nursing Practicum Education Matrix based on Learning Outcomes / 한국간호교육학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop an integrated nursing practicum education matrix based on the learning outcomes of each stage. METHODS: In this Delphi technique study, 10 experts, consisting of six professors and four nurses, participated in the development of the matrix. The first step was an in-depth review for the composition of the questionnaire and the second step was the Delphi technique. The Delphi survey was conducted two times in order to complete the components of the matrix. The survey data was analyzed for statistical averages and standard deviations to decide the order of priority. RESULTS: According to each stage (i.e. fundamental stage, competent stage, and proficient stage), the matrix was composed of education contents, methods, evaluation methods, and curriculum outcomes. CONCLUSION: The integrated nursing practicum education matrix of Y University was completed. The developed matrix will result in a reduction in the gap between nursing education and clinical practice and an improvement in nursing competency.