A qualitative study of blood and marrow transplant patient experiences participating in art making and music listening.

PURPOSE: To explore patient experiences of engaging in art making or music listening while receiving treatment in a blood and marrow transplant clinic. METHOD: Researchers recruited 25 individuals receiving blood and marrow transplant (BMT) treatment, 12 men and 13 women aged 22 to 74, from a Midwestern outpatient BMT clinic. Participants engaged in a painting activity or listened to music on an iPad using an internet music application for one hour. Researchers interviewed participants after the one-hour activity to gain insight into participants' perceptions of the art making or music listening experience. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and independently coded by members of the research team. Researchers met on several occasions to analyse codes and agree on emerging themes. RESULTS: Nine themes emerged from the data including, Engaging in Activity, Art and Music in Daily Life, Expression, Engaging with Equipment, Novelty, BMT Process, Activity Process, Social Support, and Living Situation. Participants enjoyed art making and music listening and found the activities beneficial during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Participants benefited from art making and music listening because these activities increased the variety of options available during treatment, allowed for self-expression, and could be done alone or with caregivers.

Effects of Making Art and Listening to Music on Symptoms Related to Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To understand the benefits of making art and listening to music and whether those activities may be beneficial for reducing symptoms associated with blood and marrow transplantation. 
. DESIGN: A randomized, three-group, pre-/post-pilot design.
. SETTING: Outpatient Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinic at the University of Kansas Cancer Center in Kansas City.
. SAMPLE: 39 adults aged from 22-74 years receiving blood and marrow transplantations.
. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Therapy-related symptoms, state anxiety, and physiologic distress.
. FINDINGS: Of the 39 participants, 14 were randomized to the control group, 14 to the art group, and 11 to the diversional music group. No significant differences in age, gender, ethnicity, or diagnosis existed between groups. No statistical differences were found between groups on all measures following the intervention. 
. CONCLUSIONS: Although the results of the current study did not indicate significant differences, healthcare professionals may still consider creative therapies as a viable option for patients within hospital or outpatient clinics because they do not require specialty training or costly resources, and they may be an enjoyable activity to occupy time for patients and caregivers.
. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Art making and music listening are safe and desirable for patients undergoing blood and marrow transplantation in an outpatient clinic. Nurses might consider partnering with therapists to offer these creative therapies as diversion during treatment.

Patient-centered perspectives on the access to educational opportunities specific to lifestyle modification in men at risk for primary or secondary prostate cancer.

Educating men at risk for primary or secondary prostate cancer on lifestyle modification may help prevent the development of the disease, reduce the risk of recurrence in those treated for cancer, and slow the progression of active disease. To date, substantial literature on male patient attitudes towards risk modification does not exist. In this project, we evaluate the attitudes and educational needs of men at high-risk for primary or secondary prostate cancer to assess the need for a dedicated clinic focused on education and prevention. Two clinic nurses administered surveys to 76 male patients seen at the University Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC) and Urology clinics. Survey responses showed the patients' perspectives and desire for more support and education regarding late effects of treatment, management of risk, and lifestyle modification. Findings from this survey inspired the establishment of the Burns & McDonnell High-Risk Prostate Cancer Prevention Program at KUCC.

Effect of art making on cancer-related symptoms of blood and marrow transplantation recipients.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To examine whether a one-hour art-making session during blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) treatment significantly affects therapy-related symptoms, state anxiety, and stress. DESIGN: A pre- and post-test crossover design. SETTING: An urban outpatient cancer center in the midwestern United States. SAMPLE: A convenience sample of 20 patients, aged 20-68 years (X = 38.5), receiving treatment at a BMT clinic. METHODS: Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Therapy-Related Symptom Checklist, and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Index, and provided salivary cortisol samples. After pretesting, individuals were assigned to either a wait list or intervention. Individuals in the wait-list group received the usual treatment before completing the post-test measures. Individuals in the intervention group participated in a one-hour art-making session, after which they completed post-test measures. Participants then crossed over to the other group. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Art making, stress, state anxiety, and therapy-related symptoms. FINDINGS: Therapy-related symptom concerns for the intervention group at post-test were significantly lower than at pretest; no change ocurred in the control group. The salivary cortisol levels were significantly lower at post-test in the intervention and control groups. No change occurred in the anxiety levels of participants in the intervention and control groups. The study hypothesis was partially supported. CONCLUSIONS: Art making decreased therapy-related symptoms (e.g., feeling sluggish, difficulty concentrating). Use of more physiologic indices to measure stress and replication on a larger sample are suggested. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Individuals receiving BMT may benefit from participation in art-making interventions. Art making is easy to implement in a clinic setting and allows for positive interactions between nurses and patients.