ABSTRACT
Objective: The purpose of this research is to evaluate the relationship between the degree of peripheral neuropathy associated with treatment and physical activity through the use of objective indicators such as wristband activity tracker and subjective evaluations obtained through interviews. Methods: This study included 11 patients with gynecological cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and malignant lymphoma. Participants were requested to wear a wristband activity meter at two time points: early and mid-treatment. Activity-meter step counts were compared with factors such as energy expenditure and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General during early and mid-treatment. Interviews were analyzed qualitatively and inductively. Results: There was no difference in the number of steps taken by participants in the early and mid-treatment periods (P = 0.050), but they took more steps in the mid-treatment period than in the early period. Participants expended more energy during mid-treatment than early treatment, but these differences were not significant. We noted a correlation between the number of steps and energy expenditure in the mid-treatment period (r = 0.883). Comparisons between measures showed significant differences in "Impact" between early and mid-treatment on Distress and Impact Thermometer (P = 0.034). The impact of numbness on activity was assigned to three categories: loss of routine caused by numbness, coping with the numbness-related inconvenience using various resources, and acceptance of life with numbness with the support of others and self-strength. Conclusions: The participants devised strategies to maintain activities despite experiencing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity. The use of activity meters may enhance patient motivation, which in our opinion, is beneficial for self-care education.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study evaluates the effect of a self-monitoring intervention on taste alterations in breast cancer patients undergoing outpatient chemotherapy. METHODS: The study was a randomized controlled trial. Thirty-four participants were divided into two groups: a self-monitoring (SMG) group (n = 17) and a control group (CG) (n = 17). A conceptual framework was developed with reference to the components of self-management, cognitive behavioral therapy, and the concepts of self-monitoring. Interventions were based on this framework. SMGs recorded their taste symptoms as homework and worked with the researcher to set goals and provide feedback four times every three weeks. In the feedback, the researcher actively listened to the SMG about their feelings and coping strategies during the taste changes, and gave approval and praise for these. The implementation period was 9 weeks for each participant; the CG was provided with conventional nursing support. The intervention was evaluated by comparing the items of symptom improvement, quality of life (QOL), and self-efficacy between the groups before and after the start of the intervention using a scale score. Scale scores were also compared for recognition of taste changes, concerns during treatment, distress, and impacts on each treatment day. RESULTS: SMG had significantly lower scores than CG for perceived change in taste (p = 0.009), and there was an interaction with CG (p = 0.008). SMG had also significantly lower scores than CG in concern during treatment (p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: This study showed that a self-monitoring intervention reduced negative cognition of taste alterations and reduced discomfort. The results suggest that the self-monitoring intervention is effective nursing support for chemotherapy-induced taste alterations.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Self-Management , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Dysgeusia , Female , Humans , Quality of Life , TasteABSTRACT
Hypersensitivity reactions(HSRs)are adverse events that are potentially caused by all anticancer agents. HSRs are unpredictable and can occur at any time, and prompt intervention is needed when symptoms occur. The types of symptoms and their degrees vary with the anticancer agent used and the number of chemotherapy cycles. Here, we evaluated the degree of HSRs and their frequencies in the outpatient chemotherapy center of Gunma University Hospital. Among 55,046 patients, 141 (0.26%)cases of HSRs and 70(0.13%)cases of infusion reactions were identified. Oxaliplatin and docetaxel conferred higher incidences of HRSs, whereas infliximab and rituximab conferred higher incidences of infusion reactions. The most common symptoms were skin reactions. HSRs to oxaliplatin were observed after a median of 7 cycles of chemotherapy, and the number of the patients developing HSRs was the highest during the second cycle of chemotherapy. The incidences of HSRs and the profiles of the anticancer drugs exhibiting higher frequencies of HSRs were similar to those in previous reports. The present study provides valuable information about appropriate management for HSRs depending on the anticancer agents used.
