[Analysis of ROX Index, ROX-HR Index, and SpO2/FIO2 Ratio in Patients Who Received High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit].

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the use of the respiratory rate oxygenation (ROX) index, ROX-heart rate (ROX-HR) index, and saturation of percutaneous oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio (SF ratio) to predict weaning from high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in patients with respiratory distress in a pediatric intensive care unit. METHODS: A total of 107 children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit were enrolled in the study between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2021. Data on clinical and personal information, ROX index, ROX-HR index, and SF ratio were collected from nursing records. The data were analyzed using an independent t-test, χ² test, Mann-Whitney U test, and area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: Seventy-five (70.1%) patients were successfully weaned from HFNC, while 32 (29.9%) failed. Considering specificity and sensitivity, the optimal cut off points for predicting treatment success and failure of HFNC oxygen therapy were 6.88 and 10.16 (ROX index), 5.23 and 8.61 (ROX-HR index), and 198.75 and 353.15 (SF ratio), respectively. The measurement of time showed that the most significant AUC was 1 hour before HFNC interruption. CONCLUSION: The ROX index, ROX-HR index, and SF ratio appear to be promising tools for the early prediction of treatment success or failure in patients initiated on HFNC for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. Nurses caring for critically ill pediatric patients should closely observe and periodically check their breathing patterns. It is important to continuously monitor three indexes to ensure that ventilation assistance therapy is started at the right time.

[Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Ischemic Stroke Distress Scale (ISDS)].

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop a scale to measure distress in patients with ischemic stroke and verify its validity and reliability. METHODS: Preliminary items were developed from literature review and in-depth interviews. The final preliminary scale was confirmed through a content validity test of eight experts and a preliminary survey of 10 stroke patients. The participants for psychometric testing were 305 stroke patients in the outpatient clinic. Validity and reliability analyses included item analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity, known-group validity, and internal consistency of the scale. RESULTS: The final scale consisted of 17 items and 3 factors. The three distinct factors were 'self-deprecation, worry about future health, and withdrawal from society' and this structure was validated using a confirmatory factor analysis. Convergent validity was supported by comparison with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (r = .54, p < .001) and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (r = .67, p < .001). Known-groups validity was verified by dividing groups according to 'duration since diagnosis' (t = 2.65, p = .009), 'presence of sequela' (t = 10.16, p < .001), and 'awareness of distress' (t = 12.09, p < .001). The internal consistency of the scale using Cronbach's α for the total items was .93. CONCLUSION: The Ischemic Stroke Distress Scale is a valid and reliable tool that reflects stroke distress effectively. It is expected to be used as a basic tool to develop various intervention strategies to reduce distress in ischemic stroke patients.

[Effects of the Advanced Practice Nurse-Led Psychoeducational Program for Colorectal Cancer Survivors].

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of an advanced practice nurse-led psychoeducational program on distress, anxiety, depression, coping with cancer (CWC), health promotion behavior (HPB), and quality of life (QOL) among colorectal cancer survivors. METHODS: This study was designed as a quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest. The participants were survivors of colorectal cancer who underwent follow-up care. There were 39 survivors: 19 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group. The experimental group performed a psychoeducational program for 120 minutes per session, once a week for a total of six weeks, while the control group received routine education and counseling. Distress, anxiety, depression, CWC, HPB, and QOL were investigated before, immediately after, and 4 weeks after the intervention. The data were analyzed with SPSS/WIN ver. 24.0, using repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: There were significant interactions between time and group for distress and anxiety. In addition, CWC interacted with the total of CWC and interpersonal coping, and QOL interacted with the total of QOL and functional status. However, there were no significant differences in the depression or HPB scores. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, we expect that this program can be used as an effective intervention for colorectal cancer survivors.

Emotional Labor and Burnout of Public Health Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mediating Effects of Perceived Health Status and Perceived Organizational Support.

The purpose of this study was to identify the mediating effects of perceived health status (PHS) and perceived organizational support (POS) in the association between emotional labor and burnout in public health nurses (PHNs). The participants were 207 PHNs convenience sampled from 30 public health centers and offices in Jeju, Korea. Data regarding emotional labor, PHS, POS, and burnout were collected between February and March 2021 using a structured questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed by Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Burnout of PHNs was positively correlated with emotional labor (r = 0.64, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with PHS (r = -0.51, p < 0.001) and POS (r = -0.51, p < 0.001). In the association between emotional labor and burnout, PHS (B = -1.36, p < 0.001) and POS (B = -0.42, p = 0.001) had a partial mediating effect. Reduction of burnout among PHNs requires not only effective management of emotional labor but also personal and organizational efforts to improve PHS and POS.

The Experiences of Illness in Korean Bladder Cancer Patients With Radical Cystectomy.

BACKGROUND: After radical cystectomy, many bladder cancer patients experience physical and psychological difficulties. For nurses, understanding the illness experiences should be the utmost priority. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to comprehensively understand the experiences of illness among bladder cancer patients with radical cystectomy in Korea. METHODS: Purposive sampling was used in this qualitative study to recruit patients hospitalized with bladder cancer at the urology cancer center in South Korea. Data were collected through one-on-one in-depth interviews and analyzed using the thematic analysis of Braun and Clarke. RESULTS: Six themes were derived: "confusion with bodily changes," "loss of daily life as it was before radical cystectomy," "feeling daunted," "body acceptance," "adaptation," and "feeling grateful for life." These themes represent the emotional state and adaptation process after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the understanding of the experience of illness in Korean adults experiencing bladder cancer. Whereas most previous research focuses on physical aspects, including treatment methods, this study focused on understanding the life and suffering after discharge of individuals. This study can help nurses to better understand the postoperative life of the patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study can be a foundation for developing informational materials or intervention programs needed to solve the difficulties encountered during urostomy or neobladder self-care. Specifically, a strategy has to be devised to alleviate the pain of loss and to help patients who feel daunted and experience a negative body image.

Effects of the Anger Management Program for Nurses.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an anger management program on anger, job stress, psychological well-being, and heart rate variability in clinical nurses. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted using a nonequivalent control group, pre-post test design with repeated measures. The participants included 43 nurses assigned to the experimental and control groups. Anger, job stress, psychological well-being, and heart rate variability were evaluated before the intervention, immediately after the completion of the intervention, and four weeks after the end of the intervention. Chi-square test, t-test, Fisher's exact test, and GEE (Generalized Estimating Equations) were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the level of anger, state anger, job stress, and psychological well-being between the two groups. The rate of change in the total power (TP) and the high-frequency band (HF) of the experimental group increased immediately after the intervention completion, but that of the control group decreased at the same time. CONCLUSION: The above results demonstrate that an anger management program for nurses effectively attenuated anger and job stress, improved psychological well-being, and regulated heart rate variability.

Factors Influencing Supportive Care Needs of Colorectal Cancer Survivors.

PURPOSE: There is an increasing number of colorectal cancer survivors in South Korea. However, no research has identified supportive care needs of survivors of colorectal cancer in South Korea. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the level of supportive care needs and effects of emotional state and quality of life (QoL) on supportive care needs of colorectal cancer survivors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 115 survivors of colorectal cancer in South Korean who had primary treatment of surgery for colorectal cancer. Data were collected from April to September 2016. Participants responded to self-reported questionnaires assessing supportive care needs, emotional state (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and QoL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal scale). RESULTS: The overall score of supportive care needs for colorectal cancer survivors was 1.22 ± 0.61 (full score: 3 points), with health care staff and social support needs garnering highest scores. Approximately, 20.0% and 21.7% of patients had anxiety and depression, respectively. The mean QoL score was 2.90 ± 0.53, with social and family status having the lowest QoL score. Multiple regression analysis showed that both the period after treatment and anxiety significantly influenced supportive care needs. CONCLUSION: Appropriate interventions should be used immediately after completion of treatment to help reduce anxiety and meet supportive care needs of colorectal cancer survivors.

Factors influencing supportive care needs of multiple myeloma patients treated with chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: The present study is a descriptive survey conducted to identify factors influencing supportive care needs of patients with multiple myeloma treated with chemotherapy. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was provided to 141 patients with multiple myeloma who were treated as inpatients or outpatients at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital of the Catholic University of Korea. Data were analyzed with t test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test, correlational analysis, and linear regression analysis using SPSS version 21.0. RESULTS: The mean score of supportive care needs of patients with multiple myeloma was 1.51 out of 4 points. Of supportive care needs, information on future disease outcome scored the highest, with a mean score of 2.12, followed by easy and candid explanation by health care staff (2.11), and information on foods that are healthy for cancer patients (2.02). The mean score of disease-related knowledge was 0.52 of 1 point, and diagnostic test results scored the lowest among the subdomains of disease-related knowledge. The mean score of emotional state was 1.13 out of 3 points, mean anxiety score was 1.01 out of 3 points, and mean depression score was 1.26 out of 3 points. Anxiety and depression were identified as factors influencing supportive care needs of patients with multiple myeloma. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that the supportive care needs of patients with multiple myeloma are associated with their emotional state. The supportive care needs of patients with multiple myeloma should be identified at an individual level, and should be addressed to reduce anxiety and depression.

Characterization of Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors and Health-Related Behaviors in Korean Patients With Breast Cancer by Abdominal Obesity Status.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the second most prevalent malignancy among Korean women. Changes in lifestyle during and after remission of breast cancer tend to increase abdominal visceral fat, leading to increased risks of metabolic syndrome and chronic diseases. PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study examined the differences in metabolic syndrome risk factors and health-related behaviors between abdominally obese and nonabdominally obese groups of Korean patients with breast cancer. METHODS: The participants were assigned to nonabdominal obesity (waist circumference < 85 cm, n = 77) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥ 85 cm, n = 59) groups, and a questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of risk factors of metabolic syndrome and health-related behaviors in each. The chi-square test and t test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The average age was 54.2 years in the abdominal obesity group and 51.3 years in the nonabdominal obesity group. The average blood pressure and fasting blood glucose levels were higher in the abdominal obesity than the nonabdominal obesity group (117.3/76.3 vs. 108.9/70.4 mmHg, respectively [p = .001]; 96.9 and 90.1 mg/dl, respectively [p = .007]). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol was lower in the abdominal obesity than the nonabdominal obesity group (55.4 and 62.5 mg/dl, respectively [p = .005]), whereas triglycerides were higher in the abdominal obesity than the nonabdominal obesity group (151.6 and 111.3 mg/dl, respectively [p = .006]). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the abdominal obesity and nonabdominal obesity groups were 42.4% and 9.1%, respectively (p = .001). Moreover, eating habits differed between the two groups, with the frequency of vegetable consumption lower in the abdominal obesity than the nonabdominal obesity group (p = .040) and the frequencies of salty and sweet food consumption and of overeating higher in the abdominal obesity than the nonabdominal obesity group. The percentage of participants who exercised for 30 minutes three times per week was 52.5% in the abdominal obesity group and 71.4% in the nonabdominal obesity group (p = .024). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This observational study found more metabolic syndrome risk factors in the abdominal obesity group than the nonabdominal obesity group. Consumption of sweet foods and overeating were higher and the frequencies of vegetable intake and exercise were lower in the abdominal obesity group. These findings suggest that female abdominally obese patients with breast cancer exhibit health-related behaviors that require improvement and better management. Interventional programs should be developed based on the findings of this study to reduce cancer recurrence and mortality in patients with breast cancer.

Family-clinician communication in the ICU and its relationship to psychological distress of family members: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Effective communication between family and clinicians has been identified as one of the most important factors in end-of-life care. Family members' perception of communication quality with clinicians may be associated with their psychological symptoms. OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between family-clinician (physicians or nurses) communication quality and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress among family members of chronically critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs). DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS: The participants were 71 adult family members of 71 patients who required prolonged mechanical ventilation in ten ICUs at three medical centres in Korea. METHODS: Participants completed the Quality of Communication (QOC) questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). The data were analysed using correlation, bivariate regression, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean (SD) QOC score for physicians and nurses was 50.3 (15.2) and 42.9 (14.2), respectively. Forty-six participants (64.8%) were identified as being at risk for having anxiety symptoms; 22 (31%) had a mild risk and 24 (33.8%) had a moderate or severe risk. More family members (76.1%) were at risk for having depressive symptoms; 15 (21.1%) had a mild risk and 39 (54.9%) had a moderate or severe risk. For post-traumatic stress symptoms, 48 (67.6%) were at risk. While the QOC scores for nurses were negatively associated with participants' HADS-depression scores (ß = -.01, p = .03), the QOC scores for physicians were not associated with the HADS or IES-R scores. This conclusion held after consideration of covariates. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that communication between family members and ICU nurses may be more influential than that with ICU physicians on psychological distress of family members in Korea. However, further research is warranted to confirm this relationship. Future interventions to reduce psychological distress in family members of chronically critically ill patients may need to target ICU nurses for improving communication skills.

Phosphate supplementation for hypophosphatemia during continuous renal replacement therapy in adults.

BACKGROUND: Hypophosphatemia is common during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in critically ill patients and can cause generalized muscle weakness, prolonged respiratory failure, and myocardial dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of adding phosphate to the dialysate and replacement solutions to treat hypophosphatemia occurring in intensive CRRT in critically ill patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 73 patients treated with intensive CRRT (effluent flow ≥35 ml/kg/hr) in the intensive care unit. The control group (group 1, n = 22) received no phosphate supplementation. The treatment groups received dialysate and replacement solution phosphate supplementation at 2.0 mmol/L (group 2, n = 26) or 3.0 mmol/L (group 3, n = 25). RESULTS: The CRRT-induced hypophosphatemia incidence was 59.0%. Correction of hypophosphatemia with phosphate supplementation changed the mean serum phosphorus levels to 1.24 ± 0.37 and 1.44 ± 0.31 mmol/L in groups 2 and 3, respectively (p = .02). The time required for correction was 1.65 ± 0.80 and 1.39 ± 1.43 days for groups 2 and 3, respectively and was significantly longer in group 2 (p = .02). After supplementation, hypophosphatemia, and hyperphosphatemia both occurred in 7% of group 2. Group 3 developed no hypophosphatemia, but 20% developed hyperphosphatemia. The serum phosphate levels in hyperphosphatemia cases returned to normal within 2.0 days (group 2) and 1.0 day (group 3) after stopping phosphate supplementation. CONCLUSION: Phosphate supplementation effectively corrected CRRT-induced hypophosphatemia in critically ill patients with an acute kidney injury. The use of 2 mmol/L phosphate is appropriate in patients with CRRT-induced hypophosphatemia, but a different concentration could be required to prevent hypophosphatemia at the start of CRRT.

Factors Influencing Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Advanced Cancer Patients With Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and to identify factors that influenced LUTS in advanced cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included a total of 158 advanced cancer patients with CIPN. A structured questionnaire including the International Prostate Symptom Score and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecology Oncology Group/Neurotoxicity scale was used. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Nocturia was the most prevalent LUTS. A positive relationship was found between CIPN symptoms and LUTS. The duration of cancer diagnosis and the severity of CIPN were key factors that influenced LUTS. CONCLUSION: The severity of CIPN symptoms was the most important predictor of LUTS. Nurses' care for advanced cancer patients should incorporate a comprehensive health assessment, which includes a history of treatment and physical neuropathic symptoms, for any patient complaining of CIPN symptoms.

Smartphone Addiction and Interpersonal Competence of Nursing Students.

BACKGROUND: Interpersonal competence is an important capacity for nurses. Recently, the advent of smartphones has instigated considerable changes in daily life. Because smartphone has multiple functions, people tend to use them for numerous activities, often leading to addictive behavior. METHODS: This cross-sectional study performed a detailed analysis of smartphone addiction subscales and social support related to interpersonal competence of nursing students. Overall, 324 college students were recruited at Catholic University in Seoul, Korea from Feb 2013 to Mar 2013. Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire, which included scales that measured smartphone addiction, social support, interpersonal competence, and general characteristics. Path analysis was used to evaluate structural relations between subscales of smartphone addictions, social support, and interpersonal competence. RESULTS: The effect of cyberspace-oriented relationships and social support on interpersonal competence were 1.360 (P=.004) and 0.555 (P<.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Cyberspace-oriented relationship, which is a smartphone addiction subscale, and social support were positively correlated with interpersonal competence of nursing students, while other smartphone addiction subscales were not related to nursing student interpersonal competence. Therefore, effective smartphone teaching methods be developed to enhance nursing student motivation.

Translation and cultural adaptation of the quality of communication questionnaire for ICU family members in Korea.

BACKGROUND: There are no Korean instruments to assess the concepts associated with end-of-life communication quality. OBJECTIVES: To translate and culturally adapt the Quality of Communication (QOC) questionnaire into Korean and evaluate its acceptability and internal consistency. METHODS: We first translated the QOC from English into Korean, then back-translated from Korean to English, and evaluated the cultural appropriateness of the items. We pretested and refined the Korean version of the QOC with 11 ICU family members. Subsequently, the Korean version of the QOC was administered to 62 family members of chronically critically ill patients recruited from 10 ICUs to evaluate its internal consistency. RESULTS: Participants completed the Korean QOC without difficulty during the pretest, and it showed acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ≥0.85). CONCLUSION: This study provided preliminary evidence of the acceptability and reliability of the Korean QOC in ICU family members. Nonetheless, further evaluation, including item relevance and other psychometric properties, is warranted.

Development and validation of an eye care educational programme for intensive care unit nurses.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate an eye care educational programme for intensive care unit nurses. BACKGROUND: Eye care guidelines and protocols have been developed for increasing eye care implementation in intensive care units. However, the guidelines lack consistency in assessment or intervention methodology. DESIGN: This was a one-sample pre/postprogramme evaluation study design for testing the effects of the eye care educational programme, developed for and applied to intensive care unit nurses, on their levels of knowledge and awareness. METHODS: The eye care educational programme was developed based on literature review and survey of educational needs. Thirty intensive care unit nurses served as subjects for the study. RESULTS: The levels of eye care-related knowledge, awareness and practice were enhanced following the implementation of the educational programme. Moreover, satisfaction with the educational programme was high. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to intensify eye care education aimed at new nurses who are inexperienced in intensive care unit nursing and provide continuing education on the latest eye care methods and information to experienced nurses. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The eye care educational programme developed in this study can be used as a strategy to periodically assess the eye status of patients and facilitate the appropriate eye care.

Development and Effects of a Transition Nursing Program for Patients and Family Caregivers at a Neurological ICU in Korea.

The purpose of this study was to develop a transition nursing program for patients and family caregivers in neurological intensive care units (ICUs) and to evaluate the effects of the program. A literature review, focus group interviews, analysis of medical records, confirmation of validity, and clinical applicability were used to develop the program, which was tested using a pre- and post-test quasi-experimental design. Participants were recruited in 2011. The experimental group (46 patients and their family caregivers) received the developed program before transferring from the neurological ICU to a ward, whereas the control group (48 patients and their family caregivers) received routine care. The results showed that patients and family caregivers in the experimental group had significantly higher transition readiness and satisfaction with transition nursing and lower transition anxiety and transition stress, and family caregivers in the experimental group had a significantly lower burden of caregiving.

Impact of Ego-resilience and Family Function on Quality of Life in Childhood Leukemia Survivors.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the impact of ego-resilience and family function on quality of life in childhood leukemia survivors. METHODS: This study targeted 100 pediatric leukemia survivors, who visited the Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Center in South Korea from Aug to Dec 2011. A structured questionnaire of ego-resilience, family function and quality of life used to collect data through direct interview with the pediatric patients and their parents. The correlation between the study variables analyzed using the Pearson's correlation coefficient, and the impact on quality of life analyzed using a stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Ego-resilience (r = 0.69, P<0.001) and family function (r =0.46, P< 0.001) had a positive correlation with quality of life and all the sub-categories of quality of life. Ego-resilience was a major factor affecting quality of life in childhood leukemia survivors, with an explanatory power of 48%. The explanatory power for quality of life increased to 53% when age and family function were included. CONCLUSION: Ego-resilience, age, and family function affect quality of life in childhood leukemia survivors. Hence, strategies are required to construct age-matched programs to improve quality of life, in order to help restore the necessary ego-resilience and to strengthen family function in childhood leukemia survivors.

The effects of Dying Well Education Program on Korean women with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer patients fear the relapse of their disease and subsequent death the most. Dying Well Education Program, a death education program, was offered for breast cancer patients to help them to reflect on the meanings of life and death. PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effects of a death education on fear of death, anxiety and depression, hope, and spiritual well-being among breast cancer patients. METHODS: Twenty-three women with breast cancer at a university hospital in South Korea who received Dying Well Education Program, once a week for 10 weeks, were compared with 25 participants in a control group who received the treatment as usual. RESULTS: Participants in the experimental group were satisfied with the program and showed a decreased level of fear of death, and increased levels of hope and spiritual well-being when compared to the control group. The anxiety and depression scores for both experimental and control groups were initially within normal ranges before the program and further decreased over time. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that a properly designed death education program could serve as a means of increasing breast cancer patients' hope and spiritual well-being.

Symptom clusters of ovarian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and their emotional status and quality of life.

PURPOSE: We conducted a descriptive study to identify the symptoms, emotional status, and quality of life experienced by hospitalized ovarian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and influencing the factors of symptom clusters on their quality of life. METHODS: A total of 192 patients who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and received adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery more than once from 2 university hospitals with over 800 beds located in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas of South Korea were included in this study. Using a structured questionnaire, the symptoms, emotional status, and quality of life by these patients were investigated from May 2012 to June 2013. RESULTS: We identified the following 7 symptom clusters among ovarian cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: psychological distress, fatigue-pain, abdominal discomfort, flu-like symptoms, fluid accumulation, and peripheral neuropathy. Patients with a high level of anxiety or depression experienced all symptoms at a higher level, and the 7 symptom clusters influenced all aspects of the patients' quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides to need interventions for the quality of life of ovarian cancer patients need to include the management of not only the physical symptoms and treatment-related side effects, but also the changes in their emotional status and daily lives.

The Effect of Comprehensive Care Program for Ovarian Cancer Survivors.

This study was done to investigate the effects of comprehensive care program on cardiopulmonary function, muscle strength, immune response, and quality of life in ovarian cancer survivors. Participants were 40 ovarian cancer survivors, 20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group, at C university hospital gynecological cancer center from May 2009, to December 2010. The treatment was a comprehensive care program for 8 weeks consisting of group education and self-help group support, home-based exercise, and relaxation. Data were analyzed by t test and repeated-measures ANOVA. Cardiopulmonary function, measured by 12-min walk distance; muscle strength, measured by the chair-stand test; and quality of life were more increased in the experimental group. But immune response was not statistically significant. These results indicate that the comprehensive care program is an effective nursing intervention to improve cardiopulmonary function, muscle strength, and quality of life in ovarian cancer survivors.