Effects of exercise interventions on social and cognitive functioning of men with prostate cancer: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Exercise is beneficial for prostate cancer patients' physical functioning; however, effects on social and cognitive functioning are inconsistent. This meta-analysis of exercise interventions for prostate cancer patients had two aims: the primary aim was to evaluate the effects of exercise interventions on social functioning; the secondary aim was to consider additional outcomes of cognitive functioning as well as adverse events. METHODS: Electronic databases (Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, PsycINFO, and the Chinese database Airti Library) were searched for relevant papers (1987-2019), which included hand searching. After careful inspection, 10 relevant randomized controlled trials were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software; pooled means determined social and cognitive functioning. RESULTS: Meta-analysis of summary scores (fixed-effects model) showed an overall beneficial effect of exercise on social functioning (Hedges' g = 0.35, 95% CI [0.193, 0.515], p < 0.001) and cognitive functioning (Hedges' g = 0.35, 95% CI [0.123, 0.575], p < 0.01) in men with prostate cancer when compared to controls. Intervention durations of 12-16 and 24-48 weeks that provided supervised aerobic exercise combined with resistance exercise sessions had a small to medium effect on social functioning compared to controls. One exercise group experienced one serious, but non-fatal, adverse event due to a higher exercise intensity (50-75% VO2max). DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis to examine the effects of exercise interventions on cognitive functioning among prostate cancer patients. We suggest further research be conducted to confirm these findings.

Psychological distress, social support, self-management ability and utilization of social resources for female patients with cancer in Oncology Outpatient Settings in Taiwan.

Oncology outpatient care centers generally subjugate patients' psychosocial needs to their physical care requirements. Consequently, the patients' self-management (SM) ability and utilization of social resources are essential in regulating their psychological distress (anxiety and depression). The study aims were (1) to examine the prevalence and severity of psychological distress in female cancer patients in outpatient settings in Taiwan and (2) to identify the major factors of psychological distress. Female cancer patients were recruited from oncology outpatient settings in Taiwan. Patients completed the questionnaires of anxiety, depression, social support, and utilization of social resources, and SM ability. In total, 116 patients were included. A total of 17.2% and 21.6% of the patients were at risk of anxiety and depression, respectively. Patients' mean anxiety and depression scores were 4.2 (SD = 4.1) and 4.1 (SD = 4.0), respectively. The patients' physical function, attendance of social support groups, degree of social support, and SM ability had a significant effect on their anxiety and depression. Patients' anxiety was intensified by the presence of comorbidity. Health professionals in oncology outpatient care centers should assess the patients' physical function, comorbidity, SM ability, and social support/engagement in order to reduce their psychological distress and devise appropriate follow-up interventions.

Characteristics and risk factors of oxaliplatin-related hypersensitivity reactions.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Hypersensitivity reactions during oxaliplatin infusion are a major problem associated with its use. In this study, we investigated the characteristics and risk factors of these events. METHODS: All patients who had received oxaliplatin in outpatient settings from January 2006 to March 2007 in a medical center were enrolled in this retrospective study. All the oxaliplatin infusions were reviewed. Manifestations of hypersensitivity reactions and clinicopathological variables were collected from medical records. RESULTS: Three hundred and eighty-three patients with 3648 oxaliplatin infusions were reviewed. Forty-seven patients (12.7%) developed hypersensitivity reactions, which occurred after a median of 10 infusions. The median time of onset from start of infusion was 40 minutes. Most presentations (90.7%) were mild to moderate, but rechallenge with oxaliplatin led to a high chance of further reactions (71.4%). Cutaneous symptoms were the most prevalent manifestation, followed by respiratory symptoms. With each repeated infusion, the incidence of hypersensitivity reactions increased. Higher oxaliplatin dose per infusion was an independent risk factor for such reactions. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with oxaliplatin for an extended period have a greater risk of oxaliplatin-related hypersensitivity reactions.