The Effect of Music on Anxiety, Pain Levels, and Physiological Parameters in Women Undergoing Brachytherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of music on anxiety, pain, and physiologic parameters in women undergoing brachytherapy. DATA SOURCES: The study was conducted with a randomized controlled design between June and December 2022. Music intervention was practiced to the patients in the experimental group (n = 30), while no practice was given to the control group (n = 25). In the study, the data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, visual analog scale, and vital signs (temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, SpO2) recording form. Intergroup and intragroup averages were evaluated by the mixed-design analysis of variance. Variables with pre-post intervention designs were evaluated with the one-way analysis of covariance. There was no significant difference in physiological parameters between the groups (P > . 05). Although the mean anxiety scores decreased in the music group and increased in the control group, there was no statistically significant difference (P > .05). A significant difference was found in the pain levels of the patients in repeated measurements made in intragroup evaluations (P < .001). The depression mean of the music intervention group was significantly lower than the control group (P ≤ .05). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the music played during the brachytherapy process had positive effects on feeling less pain and management of depressive symptoms but did not affect anxiety and physiological parameters. Since each patient is different, the effects of music therapy can vary individually. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses should apply different strategies to investigate session frequencies and durations for different patient groups and treatment stages in cancer care.

The impact of video-assisted education on quality of life of women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy treatment.

BACKGROUND: The education given in cancer process will contribute to better cope with the problems that may be experienced and to improve self-management skills, thus to the improvement in the quality of life. AIM/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effect of video-assisted education on the quality of life of women with breast cancer who received chemotherapy treatment for the first time. DESIGN: The control group pre-test/post-test study design was used. METHODS: The study was conducted with women who applied to Outpatient Chemotherapy Unit of a university hospital in Turkey between September 2016 and March 2017 and who received chemotherapy for the first time. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires namely EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 were used to obtain the data. RESULTS: In the education group patients in the fourth cycle of chemotherapy; a decrease in general well-being and a significant increase in dyspnoea, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite were observed. In control group patients in the fourth cycle of chemotherapy, a decrease in general well-being, physical and role functions and a significant increase in nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Breast symptoms and arm symptoms in the educational group patients decreased from the 1st to the 4th cycle. CONCLUSIONS: It has been determined that the application of visual material in patients with breast cancer in the education and counselling process is effective in improving the quality of life.

Empowering caregivers in the radiotherapy process: the results of a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile-assisted empowerment program developed specifically for caregivers of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. METHODS: In this study, seventy-four individuals who gave care for cancer patients that received radiotherapy between September 2019 and May 2020 were randomized to receive a mobile-assisted empowerment program or standard care. The mobile-assisted empowerment program comprised of education and information related to the radiotherapy process, videos, activities, and question-and-answer modules to support caregivers during the radiotherapy process. Outcome measures were collected at baseline (day 1 of radiotherapy) and on day 21 and included caregiver demographics, distress, quality of life, and coping style using validated questionnaires. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, individuals' mean scores of distress were lower in the empowerment group than the control group (p < 0.001). General quality of life and sub-dimension mean scores were higher in the empowerment group than the control group (p ≤ 0.05). There was no difference in the coping style average scores (p ≥ 0.05) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the findings that a mobile-supported empowerment program reduced the level of caregiver distress and increased quality of life during their loved one's treatment with radiotherapy.

Health literacy level and influencing factors in university students.

Health literacy (HL) competencies vary across different health domains, and so the youth HL level plays an important role in access to healthcare. The aim of this study was to determine HL levels, the factors that affect it and health-promoting lifestyle behaviours of university students. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 905 students in nursing, law and Islamic sciences departments. An introductory information form, European Health Literacy Scale and Health Promoting Lifestyle Behaviors Scale were used to collect research data. The results showed that 45% of the students had a problematic HL level. Each subscale of the HL scale exhibited a significant positive correlation with the subscales of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Behaviors scale. Logistic regression showed that gender and health education were significantly associated with the HL level. We recommend increasing awareness regarding health liability and integrating HL notions into the higher education curriculum.

Symptoms Experienced and Information Needs of Women Receiving Chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: This study is carried out to determine the symptoms and information necessity on chemotherapy (CT) treatment of the women with breast cancer. METHODS: A total of 170 women older than 18 years old, who receive CT with breast cancer diagnosis, are volunteered to participate in the study. Mixed method was used in the study. Data are collected using Descriptive Data Form, Interview Form and Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. RESULTS: As a result of the cluster analysis, four clusters and the symptoms within have been obtained. These are: pain, lack of energy, feeling drowsy, sweat, swelling of hands, and feet in the first cluster; feeling nervous, difficulty sleeping, feeling sad, worrying in the second cluster; nausea, feeling bloating, change in the way food tastes, hair loss, constipation in the third cluster; vomiting, diarrhea, problems with sexual interest, lack of appetite, dizziness, and weight loss in the forth cluster. Women's information necessity related to the CT are follows: the effects of CT, other treatment options beyond CT, complementary methods, the effect of the CT treatment on reproductive health and sexuality, nutrition, and symptom control. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will enable determination of symptom clusters, which health professionals are easier to focus on these symptoms. An understanding information need of patients can help to ensure that individual's coping strategies and self-management.

Identification of Symptom Clusters in Cancer Patients at Palliative Care Clinic.

OBJECTIVE: Cancer patients often experience a large number of symptoms together. The aim of this study is to determine the symptom clusters in cancer patients at palliative care clinic. METHODS: Hundred and seventy consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale was used for symptom assessment of the patients. RESULTS: The most experienced symptoms by the patients during the past week before hospitalization in palliative care clinic were lack of energy (95.4%), weight loss (91.2%), lack of appetite (89.4%), pain (88.2%), dry mouth (87.6%), feeling sad (87.6%), feeling nervous (82.9%), worrying (81.2%), and feeling irritable (80.6%). Five symptom clusters were defined. First cluster: pain, feeling nervous, dry mouth, worrying, feeling irritable, weight loss; second cluster: feeling drowsy, numbness/tingling in hands/feet, difficulty in sleeping, dizziness, constipation, I do not look like myself; third cluster: nausea, vomiting; fourth cluster: shortness of breath, difficulty in swallowing, cough, change in the way food tastes; and fifth cluster: feeling bloated, problems with urination, diarrhea, itching, mouth sores, hair loss, swelling of arm or legs, change in the skin. CONCLUSIONS: We encountered various symptom clusters in advanced cancer patients. Identification of symptom clusters and knowledge of cluster composition in oncological population may particularly contribute individualization of the treatment.

Knowledge Level on Administration of Chemotherapy through Peripheral and Central Venous Catheter among Oncology Nurses.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the knowledge levels of oncology nurses about peripheral and central venous catheter during their chemotherapy administration. METHODS: Data collection of this descriptive study was started on April 15, 2015-July 15, 2015. The data presented in this summary belong to 165 nurses. Data were collected with data collection form including questions related to sociodemographic qualifications and knowledge levels of nurses. Data collection forms were E-mailed to the members of Turkish Oncology Nursing Society. Data presented with numbers, percentages, and mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS: The mean age of nurses was 33.60 ± 7.34 years and mean duration for oncology nursing experience was 2.65 ± 0.91 years. Nurses had correct information about the importance of selecting peripheral venous catheter and choosing the placement area for chemotherapy administration (63.6%), control of catheter before the administration (93.9%), influence of chemotherapeutic agent on length of catheter (40.6%), and management of extravasation (75.7%). Nurses also had correct information about the first use of port catheter (67.3%) and checking the catheter whether it is working properly or not (75.8%). CONCLUSIONS: In General, nurses' level of knowledge related to catheter is 50% and higher. It is recommended to increase the knowledge of nurses about evidence-based information for catheter care as a step to safe chemotherapy practice.

Effects of foot massage applied in two different methods on symptom control in colorectal cancer patients: Randomised control trial.

This randomized controlled clinical study aimed to determine the effect of 2 foot massage methods on symptom control in people with colorectal cancer who received chemoradiotherapy. Data were collected between June 16, 2015, and February 10, 2016, in the Department of Radiation Oncology of an oncology training and research hospital. The sample comprised 60 participants. Data were collected using an introductory information form, common terminology criteria for adverse events and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires C30 and CR29. Participants were randomly allocated to 3 groups: classical foot massage, reflexology, and standard care control. The classical massage group received foot massage using classical massage techniques, and the reflexology group received foot reflexology focusing on symptom-oriented reflexes twice a week during a 5-week chemoradiotherapy treatment schedule. The control group received neither classical massage nor reflexology. All patients were provided with the same clinic routine care. The classical massage was effective in reducing pain level and distension incidence while foot reflexology was effective in reducing pain and fatigue level, lowering incidence of distension and urinary frequency and improving life quality.

Delirium Frequency and Risk Factors Among Patients With Cancer in Palliative Care Unit.

Introduction: Delirium is a complex but common disorder in palliative care with a prevalence between 13% and 88% but a particular frequency at the end of life yet often remains insufficiently diagnosed and managed. The aim of our study is to determine the frequency of delirium and identify factors associated with delirium at palliative care unit. METHODS: Two hundred thirteen consecutive inpatients from October 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013, were studied prospectively. Age, gender, Palliative Performance Scale (PPS), Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI), length of stay in hospital, and delirium etiology and subtype were recorded. Delirium was diagnosed with using Delirium Rating Scale (DRS) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition Text Revision ( DSM-IV TR) criteria. RESULTS: The incidence of delirium among the patients with cancer was 49.8%. Mean age was 60.3 ± 14.8 (female 41%, male 59%, PPS 39.8%, PPI 5.9 ± 3.0, length of stay in hospital 8.6 ± 6.9 days). Univariate logistic regression analysis indicated that use of opioids, anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, steroids, polypharmacy, infection, malnutrition, immobilization, sleep disturbance, constipation, hyperbilirubinemia, liver/renal failure, pulmonary failure/hypoxia, electrolyte imbalance, brain cancer/metastases, decreased PPS, and increased PPI were risk factors. Subtypes of delirium included hypoactive 49%, mixed 41%, and hyperactive 10%. CONCLUSION: The communicative impediments associated with delirium generate distress for the patient, their family, and health care practitioners who might have to contend with agitation and difficulty in assessing pain and other symptoms. To manage delirium in patients with cancer, clinicians must be able to diagnose it accurately and undertake appropriate assessment of underlying causes.

Resilience and burnout status among nurses working in oncology.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the resilience and burnout status of nurses working in the field of oncology. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted with 140 oncology nurses. The data were collected using a socio-demographic attributes form, Resilience Scale for Adults, and the Maslach's Burnout Inventory. Percentage ratios, mean and median values, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, correlation analysis, and multiple stepwise linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the data. RESULTS: The Maslach's Burnout Inventory total median score was 49.00. The emotional exhaustion median score was 24.00, the depersonalization median score was 9.00, and the personal accomplishment median score was 16.00. The Resilience Scale for Adults total median score was 134.00. The median resilience subscale scores, such as structural style, perception of future, family cohesion, self-perception, social competence, and social resources, were 16.00, 16.00, 24.00, 25, 23, and 31, respectively. A relationship existed between emotional exhaustion and perception of future; depersonalization and structured style and self-perception; and personal accomplishment and structured style, perception of future, and self-perception. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between the number of years in the field and emotional exhaustion and depersonalization scores. Moreover, a significant relationship between structured style variables and personal accomplishment scores was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the relationship between burnout and resilience situations among the oncology nurses. The results can be used to plan individual and organizational interventions to increase resilience and reduce the experience of burnout by developing measures such as improving communication skills, providing education on stress management and coping strategies, using social resources, and organizing programs that provide psychological support.

[Symptoms seen in inpatient palliative care and impact of palliative care unit on symptom control]. / Palyatif bakim kliniginde yatan hastalarda görülen semptomlar ve palyatif bakimin semptom kontrolüne etkisi.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the symptoms observed during admission to palliative care in patients that would be provided palliative support, to measure their intensity, and to evaluate the effect of palliative care on patient symptoms by recording changes during the first week after admission to hospital. METHODS: The sample of the study was determined as 108 according to the population mean significance test conducted by using preliminary application data. Patients who were able to complete the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale during admission to hospital, on the 3(rd) and 7(th) days of hospitalization were included into the evaluation. The Introductory Characteristics Questionnaire, Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale and Palliative Performance Scale were used for the collection of the data. RESULTS: While 50% of the patients defined pain intensity as 5 and over during admission, this rate was determined to be 6.5% on the 7(th) day. Mean values of the symptoms of pain, insomnia, loss of appetite, and status of well-being decreased significantly on the 3(rd) and 7(th) days after admission compared to the time of admission to the hospital. Besides, no statistically significant difference was found among the symptoms of nausea, anxiety, shortness of breath, and constipation. CONCLUSION: In this study, it was determined that the intensity of symptoms deteriorating the life quality of cancer patients such as pain, fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite, and status of well-being improved rapidly with palliative care support.