| 1. |
- Nilsson, Hanna, et al.
(author)
-
Is preoperative physical activity related to post-surgery recovery? : A cohort study of patients with breast cancer
- 2016
-
In: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 6:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The aim of our study is to assess the association between preoperative level of activity and recovery after breast cancer surgery measured as hospital stay, length of sick leave and self-assessed physical and mental recovery. Design: A prospective cohort study. Setting: Patients included were those scheduled to undergo breast cancer surgery, between February and November 2013, at two participating hospitals in the Western Region of Sweden. Participants: Patients planned for breast cancer surgery filled out a questionnaire before, as well as at 3 and 6 weeks after the operation. The preoperative level of activity was self-assessed and categorised into four categories by the participants using the 4-level SaltinGrimby Physical Activity Level Scale (SGPALS). Main outcome measure: Our main outcome was postoperative recovery measured as length of sick leave, in-hospital stay and self-assessed physical and mental recovery. Results: 220 patients were included. Preoperatively, 14% (31/220) of participants assessed themselves to be physically inactive, 61% (135/220) to exert some light physical activity (PA) and 20% (43/220) to be more active (level 3+4). Patients operated with mastectomy versus partial mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection versus sentinel node biopsy were less likely to have a short hospital stay, relative risk (RR) 0.88 (0.78 to 1.00) and 0.82 (0.70 to 0.96). More active participants (level 3 or 4) had an 85% increased chance of feeling physically recovered at 3 weeks after the operation, RR 1.85 (1.20 to 2.85). No difference was seen after 6 weeks. Conclusions: The above study shows that a higher preoperative level of PA is associated with a faster physical recovery as reported by the patients 3 weeks post breast cancer surgery. After 6 weeks, most patients felt physically recovered, diminishing the association above. No difference was seen in length of sick leave or self-assessed mental recovery between inactive or more active patients.
|
|
| 2. |
- Walladbegi, Java, et al.
(author)
-
Innovative intraoral cooling device better tolerated and equally effective as ice cooling.
- 2017
-
In: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0344-5704 .- 1432-0843. ; 80:5, s. 965-972
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: Most of the patients who receive myeloablative therapy prior to stem cell transplantation develop oral mucositis (OM). This adverse reaction manifests as oral mucosal erythema and ulcerations and may require high doses of morphine for pain alleviation. OM may also interfere with food intake and result in weight loss, a need for parenteral nutrition, and impaired quality of life. To date, there have been very few studies of evidence-based interventions for the prevention of OM. Cryotherapy, using ice chips, has been shown to reduce in an efficient manner the severity and extent of OM, although clinical applications are still limited due to several shortcomings, such as adverse tooth sensations, problems with infectious organisms in the water, nausea, and uneven cooling of the oral mucosa. The present proof-of-concept study was conducted to compare the tolerability, temperature reduction, and cooling distribution profiles of an intra-oral cooling device and ice chips in healthy volunteers who did not receive myeloablative treatment, and therefore, did not experience the symptoms of OM.METHODS: Twenty healthy volunteers used the cooling device and ice chips for a maximum of 60 min each, using a cross-over design. The baseline and final temperatures were measured at eight intra-oral locations using an infra-red thermographic camera. The thermographic images were analysed using two digital software packages. A questionnaire was used to assess the tolerability levels of the two interventions.RESULTS: The intra-oral cooling device was significantly better tolerated than the ice-chips (p = 0.0118). The two interventions were equally effective regarding temperature reduction and cooling distribution.CONCLUSIONS: The intra-oral cooling device shows superior tolerability in healthy volunteers. Furthermore, this study shows that temperature reduction and cooling distribution are achieved equally well using either method.
|
|
| 3. |
- Adam, Christina, et al.
(author)
-
Quality of nursing care as perceived by cancer patients : a cross-sectional survey in four European countries
- 2017
-
In: Balkan Union of Oncology. Journal. - 1107-0625. ; 22:3, s. 777-782
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To explore and compare cancer patients' perceptions on the quality of nursing care in four European countries. Methods: Data were collected in Cyprus, Finland, Greece and Sweden. The sample comprised 596 hospitalized cancer patients. The quality of nursing care was measured using the "Oncology Patients' Perceptions of the Quality of Nursing Care Scale" (OPPQNCS). Patient characteristics were also collected. Analysis of variance was used to examine the effects of country on the perceptions of the quality of nursing care. Results: Patients' age ranged from 18 to 86 years, and 58% were male. The comparison of cancer patients' perceptions regarding the quality of nursing care between the four countries showed a statistically significant difference in the total OPPQNCS scores (p <0.001) as well as in the subscales responsiveness (p <0.001), individualization (p<0.001), co ordination (p<0.001) and proficiency (p<0.001). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the OPPQNCS ranged between 0.89 and 0.95. A multivariate analysis of variance for the OPPQNCS controlled by respondents' demographic characteristics revealed that only the patient's country was significantly related with the patients' perceptions of quality care. Conclusion: Quality of nursing care as perceived by cancer patients was high, but differed between the four countries. The impact of the clinical status of cancer patients on the quality of nursing care and managerial factors such as staffing/nursing care delivery models that influence the ability of nurses to offer high quality care should also be explored by more focused studies.
|
|
| 4. |
- Onerup, Aron, 1983, et al.
(author)
-
Is preoperative physical activity related to post-surgery recovery? : A cohort study of colorectal cancer patients
- 2016
-
In: International Journal of Colorectal Disease. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0179-1958 .- 1432-1262. ; 31:6, s. 1131-1140
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: An increasing interest is seen in the role of preoperative physical activity (PA) in enhancing postoperative recovery. The short-term effect of preoperative PA on recovery after colorectal cancer is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the preoperative level of PA with postoperative recovery after surgery due to colorectal cancer disease. Methods: This is a prospective observational cohort study, with 115 patients scheduled to undergo elective colorectal surgery. The self-reported level of preoperative PA was compared to measures of recovery. Results: Regular self-reported preoperative PA was associated with a higher chance of feeling highly physically recovered 3 weeks after surgery (relative chance 3.3, p = 0.038), compared to physical inactivity. No statistically significant associations were seen with length of hospital stay, self-assessed mental recovery, re-admittances or with re-operations. Discussion: In clinical practice, evaluating the patients’ level of PA is feasible and may potentially be used as a prognostic tool for patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery. Given the study design, the results from this study cannot prove causality. Conclusion: The present study found that the preoperative level of PA was associated with a faster self-assessed physical recovery after colorectal cancer surgery. PA did not show any associations with the primary outcome measure length of hospital stay or any of the other secondary outcome measures. Assessment of PA level preoperatively could be used for prognostic reasons. If systematic preoperative/postoperative physical training will enhance recovery, this remains to be studied in a randomized controlled study. Highlights: We examined preoperative physical activity and the recovery after colorectal cancer surgery.Physically active individuals had faster self-assessed physical recovery.Assessment of preoperative physical activity may provide prognostic clinical information. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
|
|
| 5. |
- Angenete, Eva, 1972, et al.
(author)
-
Physical activity before radical prostatectomy reduces sick leave after surgery : results from a prospective, non-randomized controlled clinical trial (LAPPRO)
- 2016
-
In: BMC Urology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2490. ; 16:1, s. 50-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Studies have reported that early physical rehabilitation after surgical procedures is associated with improved outcome measured as shorter hospital stay and enhanced recovery. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between the preoperative physical activity level and subsequent postoperative complications, sick-leave and hospital stay after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer in the setting of the LAPPRO trial (LAParoscopic Prostatectomy Robot Open). METHODS: LAPPRO is a prospective controlled trial, comparing robot-assisted laparoscopic and open surgery for localized prostate cancer between 2008 and 2011. 1569 patients aged 64 or less with an occupation were included in this sub-study. The Gleason score was <7 in 52 % of the patients. Demographics and the level of self-assessed preoperative physical activity, length of hospital stay, complications, quality of life, recovery and sick-leave were extracted from clinical record forms and questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression, with log-link and logit-link functions, was used to adjust for potential confounding variables. RESULTS: The patients were divided into four groups based on their level of activity. As the group with lowest engagement of physical activity was found to be significantly different in base line characteristics from the other groups they were excluded from further analysis. Among patients that were physically active preoperativelly (n = 1467) there was no significant difference between the physical activity-groups regarding hospital stay, recovery or complications. However, in the group with the highest self-assessed level of physical activity, 5-7 times per week, 13 % required no sick leave, compared to 6.3 % in the group with a physical activity level of 1-2 times per week only (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In our study of med operated with radical prostatectomy, a high level of physical activity preoperatively was associated with reduced need for sick leave after radical prostatectomy compared to men with lower physical activity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered at the ISCRTN register. ISRCTN06393679 .
|
|
| 6. |
- Adam, Christina, et al.
(author)
-
Quality of nursing care as perceived by cancer patients : A cross-sectional survey in four European countries
- 2017
-
In: Journal of B.U.ON.. - 1107-0625. ; 22:3, s. 777-782
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To explore and compare cancer patients' perceptions on the quality of nursing care in four European countries. Methods: Data were collected in Cyprus, Finland, Greece and Sweden. The sample comprised 596 hospitalized cancer patients. The quality of nursing care was measured using the “Oncology Patients' Perceptions of the Quality of Nursing Care Scale” (OPPQNCS). Patient characteristics were also collected. Analysis of variance was used to examine the effects of country on the perceptions of the quality of nursing care. Results: Patients' age ranged from 18 to 86 years, and 58% were male. The comparison of cancer patients' perceptions regarding the quality of nursing care between the four countries showed a statistically significant difference in the total OPPQNCS scores (p<0.001) as well as in the subscales responsiveness (p<0.001), individualization (p<0.001), coordination (p<0.001) and proficiency (p<0.001). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the OPPQNCS ranged between 0.89 and 0.95. A multivariate analysis of variance for the OPPQNCS controlled by respondents' demographic characteristics revealed that only the patient's country was significantly related with the patients' perceptions of quality care. Conclusion: Quality of nursing care as perceived by cancer patients was high, but differed between the four countries. The impact of the clinical status of cancer patients on the quality of nursing care and managerial factors such as staffing/nursing care delivery models that influence the ability of nurses to offer high quality care should also be explored by more focused studies.
|
|
| 7. |
- Grankvist, Gunne, 1963-, et al.
(author)
-
Values and willingness-to-pay for sustainability-certified mobile phones
- 2019
-
In: International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1350-4509 .- 1745-2627. ; 26:7, s. 657-664
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study investigated whether endorsement of personal values is associated with willingness to pay more for mobile phones with an environmental or social sustainability label. Participants were students in Sweden, Norway and Germany. A self-report inventory was used to measure willingness to pay and the importance attached to values of Schwartz's circular model. In Sweden and Norway, participants were willing to pay, on average, 18% extra for a mobile phone with labels for environmental or social sustainability. In Germany, the corresponding share was 12%. To strive for self-enhancement values, that is, social status and prestige, as well as control and dominance over people and resources, was associated with a lower willingness to pay for mobile phones with labels for environmental or social sustainability in all three countries. Furthermore, women were willing to pay more than men for mobile phones with both kinds of sustainability labels. In Sweden and Norway, participants were, on average, willing to pay more for a mobile phone with a label for social sustainability compared to a mobile phone with a label for environmental sustainability. © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
|
|
| 8. |
- Islind, Anna Sigridur, 1985-, et al.
(author)
-
Co-Designing a Digital Platform with Boundary Objects : Bringing Together Heterogeneous Users in Healthcare
- 2019
-
In: Health and Technology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2190-7188 .- 2190-7196. ; 9:4, s. 425-438
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Healthcare is increasingly permeated with digital platforms supporting cooperative care involving different professional groups and also patients. New mobile technologies allow for patients to continuously monitor and document their symptoms to support better healthcare, as well as self-care. The successful design of such multi-user platforms calls for new design approaches involving heterogeneous conditions and goals. This paper analyzes theuse of boundary objects in design as a mediator for different users' needs and conditions. Our research is conducted at a clinic supporting cancer survivors in their struggles with treatment induced illnesses, a treatment heavily dependent on new medical research as well as on patient involvement. The data is collected ethnographically over two years following a design project that developed a digital platform to support the care provided by the clinic. We describe how useful boundary objects transform over time, from rich narratives, to conceptual formulations and finally into concrete prototypes of the platform. We argue that understanding such a transformation can inform the design of healthcare platforms and guide future design processes, where co-designing with boundary objects can be especially useful as a design approach when doing design complex settings, such as healthcare settings.
|
|
| 9. |
- Johansson, Ann-Caroline, et al.
(author)
-
The function of fatigue and illness perceptions as mediators between self-efficacy and health-related quality of life during the first year after surgery in persons treated for colorectal cancer.
- 2018
-
In: Journal of Clinical Nursing. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0962-1067 .- 1365-2702. ; 27:7-8, s. e1537-e1548
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims and objectives: To measure changes in health‐related quality of life, two dimensions of illness perceptions (i.e., consequences and emotional representations), fatigue and self‐efficacy in persons treated for colorectal cancer during the first year after surgical treatment, and to study how fatigue, illness perceptions and self‐efficacy measured at 3 months affect health‐related quality of life at 12 months postsurgery. Background: There are fluctuations in health‐related quality of life during the first year after treatment for colorectal cancer, and fatigue may negatively influence health‐related quality of life. Illness perceptions (consequences and emotional representations) and self‐efficacy have been shown to be associated with health‐related quality of life in other cancer diagnoses. Concerning colorectal cancer, there is a lack of knowledge concerning how illness perceptions and self‐efficacy change during recovery, and how these variables and fatigue at 3 months relate to health‐related quality of life at 12 months. Design: A prospective longitudinal design. Methods: Thirty‐nine persons surgically treated for colorectal cancer, of whom 17 had a colostomy, participated. Health‐related quality of life, fatigue, illness perceptions and self‐efficacy were assessed using QLQ‐C30, the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Maintain Function Scale. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used. Results: No changes were reported in levels of health‐related quality of life, fatigue or illness perceptions. Self‐efficacy was lower at 12 months compared to 3 months. Fatigue and one dimension of illness perceptions mediated the effect of self‐efficacy at 3 months on health‐related quality of life at 12 months. Conclusion: Persons treated for colorectal cancer who have lower self‐efficacy 3 months postsurgery are inclined to have more negative illness perceptions concerning emotions and to experience more fatigue. Relevance to clinical practice: Nurses need to support persons with fatigue and negative illness perceptions concerning emotions and to bolster their self‐efficacy, that is carry out follow‐up consultations focusing on illness management, symptoms, emotions and information on ways to increase self‐efficacy.
|
|
| 10. |
- Suhonen, Riitta, et al.
(author)
-
Hospitalised cancer patients' perceptions of individualised nursing care in four European countries
- 2018
-
In: European Journal of Cancer Care. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0961-5423 .- 1365-2354. ; 27:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to describe hospitalised cancer patients' perceptions of individualised care in four European countries and compare these perceptions using the patients' socio-demographic characteristics and the Individualized Care Scale. The patients' socio-demographic characteristics used were: education, age, gender, type of hospital admission, previous hospitalisation and hospital length of stay. The Individualized Care Scale has two parts (1) nurses' support of individuality and (2) patients' receipt of individuality. Data (n = 599) were collected in Cyprus (n = 150), Finland (n = 158), Greece (n = 150) and Sweden (n = 141). Multivariate analysis of variance models were constructed and differences in perceptions of individualised care were analysed using the patients' socio-demographic characteristics as covariates. The level of support for individuality and receipt of individualised care was reported as moderate and good respectively. Generally, the highest assessments were made by the Swedish respondents and the lowest by those in Greece. This study revealed some between-country differences in patients' perceptions of care individualisation. These differences, for example, conceptual, educational, based in clinical practice or in the health organisation, require further research. Enquiry into the individualised care perceptions of health care providers and the families of cancer patients would also be useful.
|
|
