ABSTRACT
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most prevalent cancer globally. The disease and its treatment significantly impact marital intimacy, particularly among individuals who have undergone ostomy creation. Therefore, it is necessary to explore their experiences. Objective: This study aimed to explore the experiences of colorectal cancer survivors in marital intimacy after ostomy creation and clarify the domain and sub-domain of marital intimacy in CRC survivors with ostomy. Method: This study used a qualitative descriptive design, and participants were selected by purposive sampling from two hospitals in Henan province, China. Sixteen patients participated in this research, and the data were collected through an in-depth interview from June 27 to September 27, 2023. Colaizzi's method was used to analyze the data. Results: Five themes emerged from data analysis, including physical intimacy, psychological intimacy, social intimacy, spiritual intimacy, and operational intimacy. Conclusion: By profiling the experiences of CRC survivors in marital intimacy after ostomy creation, the domain and sub-domain of marital intimacy were clarified in this cohort and revealed that ostomy had a severe effect on marital intimacy among colorectal cancer survivors. The results from this study could be used by nurses, midwives, and other healthcare professionals to design specific interventions covering all aspects of marital intimacy. Also, the findings will guide the development of a particular instrument for marital intimacy in CRC survivors with ostomy.
ABSTRACT
Background: Due to the cervical cancer screening campaign, there is a gradual increase in the number of women diagnosed with abnormal cervical cytology results. Most women experience high anxiety upon learning about these results, leading to adverse psychological effects. Therefore, nurses play a vital role in counseling these women to alleviate their concerns. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of colposcopy counseling with a feminist model on anxiety in Thai women with abnormal cervical cytology results. Methods: The study employed a time-series quasi-experimental design with a comparison group. It was conducted at the colposcopy clinic of a university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, from August 2022 to April 2023. A total of 68 women with abnormal cervical cytology results were purposively recruited based on inclusion criteria. The comparison group (n = 34) received only usual care, while the experimental group (n = 34) received colposcopy counseling and usual care. Colposcopy counseling was provided after collecting baseline data. Anxiety was assessed at baseline, immediate post-test, and 12th week post-test. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent t-test, and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: There was no statistically significant difference in anxiety across the three-time points between the two groups (F1, 66 = 0.062, p = 0.804). However, anxiety in the experimental group significantly decreased over time (p <0.05). In contrast, anxiety in the comparison group at baseline was not significantly different from that at the immediate post-test (p = 0.480). Conclusion: Colposcopy counseling was effective in reducing anxiety in Thai women with abnormal cervical cytology results, especially during the initial period after receiving the results. Nonetheless, anxiety could gradually decrease regardless of the intervention. Therefore, colposcopy counseling by nurses and healthcare providers is helpful for women in relieving anxiety during their first colposcopy attendance.
ABSTRACT
Background: Postembolization syndrome (PES), including abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, are complications most severe on the first day after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Music therapy has been found to help manage pain. If pain, a cause of nausea and vomiting, can be relieved, then nausea and vomiting should also be reduced. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of music therapy on PES in patients with liver cancer after receiving TACE. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental crossover design. The study was conducted at the inpatient units of a specialized hospital for cancer in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 2020 to October 2021. Thirty patients with liver cancer were purposively selected based on the pre-determined criteria. A change-over design was used to compare patients' changes in abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting from the experimental period to the other control period. During the experimental period, music therapy was administered for 30 minutes on Day 0 after TACE, then twice a day in the morning and evening of Days 1 and 2 after TACE, and in the morning of Day 3 after TACE. During the control period, the patients used silent headphones. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed ranks and Friedman tests. Results: The participants perceived abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting at a mild level during all periods. Pain scores in the music therapy period were significantly lower than those in the control period on Days 0, 1, and 2 after TACE (p <0.001, p <0.01, and p <0.001, respectively) and lower than at the baseline (p <0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in nausea and vomiting scores between the music therapy period and the control period on Days 0, 1, and 2 after TACE and no statistically significant differences at the baseline. Conclusion: Music therapy effectively reduces mild pain among patients with liver cancer experiencing PES. This therapy can be used as a non-pharmacological treatment for nurses and other healthcare professionals in caring for patients with liver cancer.
