Development and evaluation of the efficacy of a web-based education program among cancer patients undergoing treatment with systemic chemotherapy: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to develop a web-based education program among cancer patients undergoing treatment with systemic chemotherapy and to evaluate the efficacy of the program on symptom control, quality of life, self-efficacy, and depression. METHODS: A web-based education program was prepared in line with patient needs, evidence-based guidelines, and expert opinions and tested with 10 cancer patients. The single-blind, randomized controlled study was conducted at a medical oncology unit of a university hospital. Pretests were applied to 60 cancer patients undergoing treatment with systemic chemotherapy, and the patients (intervention: 30, control: 30) were randomized. The intervention group used a web-based education program for 3 months, and they were allowed to communicate with researchers 24/7 via the website. The efficacy of a web-based education program at baseline and after 12 weeks was evaluated. The CONSORT 2010 guideline was performed. RESULTS: In the first phase results of the study, it was found that most of the patients with cancer wanted to receive education about symptom management and the side effects of the treatment. Expert opinions on the developed website were found to be compatible with each other (Kendall's Wa = 0.233, p = 0.008). According to the randomized controlled study results, patients who received web-based education reported significantly fewer symptoms (p = 0.026) and better quality of life (p = 0.001), but there was no statistically significant difference in the self-efficacy and depression levels during the 3-month follow-up period (p˃0.05). The most frequently visited links in the web-based education program by the patients with cancer were the management of chemotherapy-related symptoms (62.6%). CONCLUSION: A web-based education program was found to be efficacy in remote symptom management and improving the quality of life of cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov , NCT05076916 (October 12, 2021, retrospectively registered).

Reasons for complementary therapy use by cancer patients, information sources and communication with health professionals.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients are known to commonly use complementary therapies (CT). However, it is emphasized that patients do not share sufficient information with health professionals about this subject and that the subject is ignored in oncology practice. The aim of the study is to assess cancer patients' reasons for using complementary therapy, information resources and communication with health professionals. METHODS: The study is a descriptive, cross-sectional study. In this study, a questionnaire was used by the researchers. A questionnaire form consisting of 3 parts was used. In the first part of this form, there were questions about the gender, age and educational status of the patients (8 questions). In the second part, there were questions about disease and treatment information (3 questions), and the third part had questions about the use of complementary therapies (9 questions). To determine the use of complementary therapy, patients were asked 'Do you currently use complementary treatment?' (Yes or No). 183 patients included in the study completed the questionnaire about complementary therapies. RESULTS: In this study, it was determined that 37.7% of the patients were using complementary therapies. The most commonly used complementary therapy was natural products (46.4%). The most common reason for using complementary therapy was to provide support for treatment. Almost half of the cancer patients (48.5%) did not talk about this issue with their physicians, and 41.1% of them did not talk about CT with their nurses. The study found that the most important reason why the patients did not talk about CT was that they were not asked about it by health professionals. CONCLUSION: This study determined that almost half of patients could not receive information about CT from health professionals. Patients expect physicians and nurses to initiate communication on this subject. Providing healthcare professionals with evidence-based counseling about CT is essential for improving patient safety and patient outcomes.

The psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool (CIPNAT).

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a common treatment-related adverse effect. It adversely affects the quality of life. Therefore, it is important to evaluate symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool in Turkish patients. METHODS: A convenience sample of 327 patients, being treated with peripheral neurotoxic chemotherapeutic agents were asked to fill in the questionnaire. The data was evaluated using SPSS 21 (SPSS Inc., Chicago IL, USA) statistical software. The verification of the structure obtained with CFA was provided by AMOS 21.0. Psychometric testing included internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient and item-total correlations), test-retest reliability, validity (exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and concurrent validity). RESULTS: The Cronbach alpha value of the scale was 0.97. The test-retest reliability results were significantly high. The CIPNAT significantly correlated with the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy. The model was validated by confirmatory factor analysis (χ2/sd = 2.74, GFI = 0.95, AGFI = 0.92, CFI = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.07, and RMR = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The Turkish version of the CINAT was found to be reliable and valid with Turkish patients receiving chemotherapy. Use of the CIPNAT may lead to a better understanding of symptom. The CIPNAT can be used in future nursing research and practice as an assessment tool for peripheral neuropathy in patients with cancer who undergo chemotherapy.