| 1. |
- Brocki, Barbara Cristina, et al.
(författare)
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Inspiratory Muscle Training in High-Risk Patients Following Lung Resection May Prevent a Postoperative Decline in Physical Activity Level
- 2018
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Ingår i: Integrative Cancer Therapies. - : Sage Publications. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 17:4, s. 1095-1102
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To describe postoperative self-reported physical activity (PA) level and assess the effects of 2 weeks of postoperative inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in patients at high risk for postoperative pulmonary complications following lung resection.METHODS: This is a descriptive study reporting supplementary data from a randomized controlled trial that included 68 patients (mean age = 70 ± 8 years), randomized to an intervention group (IG; n = 34) or a control group (CG; n = 34). The IG underwent 2 weeks of postoperative IMT added to a standard postoperative physiotherapy given to both groups. The standard physiotherapy consisted of breathing exercises, coughing techniques, and early mobilization. We evaluated self-reported physical activity (Physical Activity Scale 2.1 questionnaire) and health status (EuroQol EQ-5D-5L questionnaire), assessed the day before surgery and 2 weeks postoperatively.RESULTS: A significant percentage of the patients in the IG reported less sedentary activity 2 weeks postoperatively when compared with the CG (sedentary 6% vs 22%, low activity 56% vs 66%, moderate activity 38% vs 12%, respectively; P = .006). The mean difference in EQ-5D-5L between the IG and CG 2 weeks postoperatively was nonsignificant ( P = .80). The overall preoperative EQ-5D-5L index score for the study population was comparable to a reference population.CONCLUSION: Postoperative IMT seems to prevent a decline in PA level 2 weeks postoperatively in high-risk patients undergoing lung resection. More research is needed to confirm these findings.
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| 2. |
- Browall, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Physical Activity During and After Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer : An Integrative Review of Women's Experiences
- 2018
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Ingår i: Integrative Cancer Therapies. - : Sage Publications. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 17:1, s. 16-30
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: In oncology, physical activity (PA) is recognized to improve psychological and physiological functions. Motivating women with breast cancer to sustain a physically active lifestyle is important for promoting positive health after diagnosis. To review and synthesize what is known about how women with breast cancer experience supervised and unsupervised PA during and after adjuvant treatment. PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched, yielding 994 citations. The final review included 17 articles published between 2004 and 2014 in English. The CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) instrument was used to appraise quality. Results: Exercise is experienced as a positive element with multiple benefits. However, maintaining a physically active lifestyle during and after chemotherapy is sometimes challenging. Reported benefits of PA include feeling empowered, and improving and reclaiming health. Facilitators to PA comprised exercising with peers and skilled instructors. Barriers included social factors and lack of information. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of incorporating PA programs from a patient experience perspective as routine treatment. Health care professionals play a crucial gateway role in providing information on implementation and benefits of PA. Providing support and educated advice about how to safely start or continue regular PA to minimize symptoms, reduce morbidity, and increase well-being during or after treatment is vital for women with breast cancer. Implications for Practice: Health care professionals need increased knowledge of the breast cancer patients' perspectives on facilitators and barriers to PA during and after treatment, in order to provide sufficient support for women to stay physically active during a breast cancer illness.
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| 3. |
- Efverman, Anna
(författare)
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A single-item expectancy measure’s validity, reliability, and responsiveness to detect changes in clinical efficacy studies of integrative cancer therapies: A methodology study
- 2024
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Ingår i: Integrative Cancer Therapies. - : SAGE. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background:Expectations may modify outcomes. However, studies often fail to measure expectations. This raises the need for a brief valid and reliable expectancy measure.Objectives:To study treatment expectations in individuals entering acupuncture or rest, validity and test re-test reliability of a single-item expectancy measure graded on a category scale, a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and to identify psychometric differences between the scales.Method:In this methodology study, treatment expectations were measured in 363 participants before they received acupuncture (genuine traditional penetrating or non-penetrating telescopic sham acupuncture, n = 239, 98%, responded) or a control treatment involving just rest (n = 120, 100%, responded), aimed to improve level of relaxation. A treatment expectancy measure, graded on a five-grade category scale, an eight-grade NRS and a 100 mm VAS, was tested for test re-test reliability. Level of expectation and relaxation was measured at baseline, pre- and post-therapy (n = 729 expectancy measurements).Results:The participants scheduled for acupuncture or rest believed moderately (Inter Quartile Range, IQR, moderately-much) and much (IQR moderately-much) the treatment to be effective. The Intra-Class Correlation coefficient versus Kappa coefficient between test and re-test was .868/.868 for the category scale, .820/.820 for the NRS, and .856/.854 for the VAS. The middle step “Believe moderately the treatment to be effective” was equivalent with median 4 (IQR, 3-4) on NRS and median 52 mm (IQR 42-52) on VAS. The response rates were 708 (97%) on the category scale, 707 (97%) on the NRS, and 703 (96%) on the VAS. All three scales discriminated that pre-therapy expectations were more positive in the individuals who reported an improvement in relaxation level (P < .001-.003). The VAS presented higher responsiveness to detect expectancy changes over time (71% increased expectation), compared to the NRS (52% increased) and the category scale (12% increased), P < .001.Conclusions:Individuals entering acupuncture, or a control intervention, presented positive treatment expectations, and the expectancy measure presented satisfactory reliability, validity, high response rates, sensitiveness, and responsiveness. Integrative cancer therapy researchers who want to control for expectancy-related bias in clinical trials should consider measuring expectation using the single-item expectancy measure.
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| 4. |
- Efverman, Anna
(författare)
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Implementation of acupuncture in routine oncology care: A comparison of physicians’, nurses’, physiotherapists’ and acupuncturists’ practice and beliefs
- 2022
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Ingår i: Integrative Cancer Therapies. - : SAGE. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 21, s. 1-10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background:It is important to investigate beliefs in acupuncture in professionals because professionals’ expectations may affect treatment outcomes.Aim:To document the type, number, and education of professionals practicing acupuncture. Further, to compare beliefs about the effectiveness of acupuncture for common cancer related symptoms in the different types of professionals.Methods:This cross-sectional study employed a questionnaire on practice and beliefs regarding acupuncture effects for symptoms that commonly occur in patients treated within oncology care settings. The respondents (n = 555) consisted of oncology professionals that is, physicians (n = 133), nurses (n = 172), and physiotherapists (n = 117). Additional respondents consisted of acupuncturists (n = 133), working outside approved health care.Results:Of the respondents, acupuncture was practiced by 4% of the physicians, 6% of the nurses, 58% of the physiotherapists, and 90% of the acupuncturists. The professionals believed acupuncture to be effective for pain (of the physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, and acupuncturists, 94%, 98%, 89%, and 99% respectively believed in the effectiveness), chemotherapy-induced nausea (corresponding figures: 74%, 89%, 89%, and 93%), and vasomotor symptoms (corresponding figures: 71%, 81%, 80%, and 97%). The physicians believed acupuncture to be effective in a mean of 5 symptoms, nurses in 6 symptoms, physiotherapists in 6 symptoms, and acupuncturists in 10 symptoms (P < .001).Conclusions:Since the professionals varied substantially regarding practice, education and beliefs in acupuncture, oncology clinics may consider delivering patient preferred acupuncture according to evidence-informed guidelines rather than on varying preferences among the professionals, since professionals’ treatment expectations may modify treatment outcomes.
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| 5. |
- Hok, J, et al.
(författare)
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What is an exceptional cancer trajectory?: Multiple stakeholder perspectives on cancer trajectories in relation to complementary and alternative medicine use
- 2009
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Ingår i: Integrative cancer therapies. - : SAGE Publications. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 8:2, s. 153-163
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Although links between exceptional cancer trajectories (ECTs) and complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) have been suggested, most research on ECT uses predefined criteria for ECTs without necessarily including CAM use. Little knowledge can be found about subjective perspectives of ECTs in relation to CAM. Objectives: This Swedish study explores how patients, significant others, and CAM and biomedical health care (BHC) providers reason about ECT, including the role of CAM. Methods: Using a case study approach, open interviews were conducted with multiple stakeholders about cancer trajectories reported as exceptional. Results: In-depth analysis of 5 cases indicated that although all stakeholders agreed that the reported cases were positive, in no case was the same trajectory considered exceptional by all stakeholders. Different stakeholders shared neither conceptualizations of what constituted an ECT nor attributions for positive trajectories. Patients, significant others, and CAM providers emphasized unexpectedly long survival and well-being in ECTs, whereas BHC providers only referred to survival. CAM and BHC providers normalized reported trajectories, although the forms for this differed between provider groups. Concluding discussion: Stakeholders' accounts are discussed relative to different health care domains, legitimization processes, and legal constraints, which have led to the lack of a public sphere for CAM use in cancer.
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| 6. |
- Horvath, György, 1942, et al.
(författare)
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Human ovarian carcinomas detected by specific odor.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Integrative cancer therapies. - : SAGE Publications. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 7:2, s. 76-80
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The high mortality rate associated with ovarian carcinoma is mainly owing to late diagnosis. It is thus essential to develop inexpensive and simple methods for early diagnosis. Papers on canine scent detection of malignancies such as melanoma and bladder, lung, and breast cancer have recently been published in peer-reviewed journals, indicating a new diagnostic tool for malignancies. However, in these studies the dogs may have responded to odors associated with cancer, such as inflammation or metabolic products, rather than specifically to cancer itself. Therefore, it is important to ascertain whether or not human cancers are characterized by specific odors. We hypothesized that if ovarian carcinoma emits a specific odor, dogs may be trained to detect it. Using our training method, we taught a dog to distinguish different histopathological types and grades of ovarian carcinomas, including borderline tumors, from healthy control samples. Double-blind tests showed 100% sensitivity and 97.5% specificity. Moreover, the odor of ovarian carcinomas seems to differ from those of other gynecological malignances such cervical, endometrial, and vulvar carcinomas. Our study strongly suggests that the most common ovarian carcinomas are characterized by a single specific odor.
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| 7. |
- Jonsson, Marcus, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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In-Hospital Physiotherapy and Physical Recovery 3 Months After Lung Cancer Surgery : A Randomized Controlled Trial
- 2019
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Ingår i: Integrative Cancer Therapies. - : Sage Publications. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Lung cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths. Surgery is the primary approach for curative treatment. Postoperative complications are common, and physiotherapy is often routinely provided for their prevention and treatment, even though the evidence is limited. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of in-hospital physiotherapy on postoperative physical capacity, physical activity, and lung function among patients undergoing lung cancer surgery.Methods: A total of 107 patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery were included in a single-blinded randomized controlled trial, and randomized to a study group, receiving in-hospital physiotherapy treatment, or a control group, not receiving in-hospital physiotherapy treatment. The patients were assessed preoperatively and 3 months after surgery. The in-hospital physiotherapy treatment consisted of early mobilization, ambulation, breathing exercises, and thoracic range of motion exercises. Physical capacity was assessed with the 6-minute walk test. Level of physical activity was objectively assessed with an accelerometer and subjectively assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Modified for the Elderly.Results: Physical capacity for the whole sample was significantly decreased 3 months postoperatively compared with preoperative values (P = .047). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding physical capacity, physical activity, spirometric values, or dyspnea. However, patients in the study group increased their level of self-reported physical activity from preoperatively to 3 months postoperatively, while the patients in the control group did not.Conclusions: No difference in physical capacity, physical activity, or lung function was found 3 months postoperatively in lung cancer surgery patients receiving in-hospital physiotherapy compared with control patients.
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| 8. |
- Kleef, Ralf, et al.
(författare)
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Complete Clinical Remission of Stage IV Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Lung Metastasis Administering Low-Dose Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Combination With Hyperthermia and Interleukin-2
- 2018
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Ingår i: Integrative Cancer Therapies. - : SAGE Publications. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 17:4, s. 1297-1303
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer with metastases after chemotherapy remains dismal. We report the case of a 50-year-old female with first disease recurrence at the axillary lymph node and, later on, bilateral pulmonary metastases with severe shortness of breath. The patient received low-dose immune checkpoint blockade (concurrent nivolumab and ipilimumab) weekly over 3 weeks with regional hyperthermia 3 times a week, followed by systemic fever-range hyperthermia induced by interleukin-2 for 5 days. She went into complete remission of her pulmonary metastases with transient WHO I-II diarrhea and skin rash. The patient remained alive for 27 months after the start of treatment, with recurrence of metastases as a sternal mass, and up to 3 cm pleural metastases. This exceptional response should instigate further research efforts with this protocol, which consists only of approved drugs and treatments.
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| 9. |
- Lagerstedt, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
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A Randomized Sham-Controlled Mixed Methods Pilot Study of the Feasibility of Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: Lessons Learned From Patient Experiences in Integrative Cancer Care
- 2023
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Ingår i: Integrative Cancer Therapies. - : SAGE. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 22
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectiveSince there is a lack of effective pharmacological therapies for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and many patients ask for integrative cancer therapies such as acupuncture, the objective of this pilot study was to describe patients’ experiences, and to study the feasibility and short-term effects of genuine acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain and unpleasant sensations compared to sham acupuncture.Methods:The pilot study used mixed methods, collecting quantitative and qualitative data. Patients (n = 12) with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy after colorectal cancer were blindly randomized to genuine acupuncture or telescopic sham acupuncture. Individual interviews were conducted, and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The patients registered pain and unpleasant sensations (100 mm Visual Analog Scales) before and after n = 120 sessions, n = 60 genuine and n = 60 sham acupuncture sessions.Results:Five categories of patient experiences were described. The neuropathy negatively affected life. Physical activity was perceived to be important for health, but neuropathy was a barrier. The neuropathy required symptom-managing strategies. Acupuncture was pleasant and valuable, but some patients presented doubts regarding its effect mechanisms. After the genuine acupuncture sessions, pain (mean −2.0 steps relief during each session) and unpleasant sensations (−2.4) in the face was reduced more than after sham acupuncture (+0.1 steps worse pain, P = .018, +0.1 steps worse unpleasant sensations, P = .036). After genuine acupuncture, unpleasant sensations in the hands were reduced less (−0.23) compared to after sham acupuncture (−5.5, P = .002). Pain or unpleasant sensations in the feet did not change.Conclusions:Patients experienced that the neuropathy negatively changed their life and that acupuncture was pleasant and valuable. Patients receiving genuine acupuncture had short-term effects regarding pain and unpleasant sensations in the face compared to patients receiving sham acupuncture, while hands and feet did not improve. The patients were successfully blinded and complied with the acupuncture. We welcome future full-scaled randomized sham-controlled acupuncture studies.
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| 10. |
- Mazzoni, Anne-Sophie, et al.
(författare)
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Exercise Adherence and Effect of Self-Regulatory Behavior Change Techniques in Patients Undergoing Curative Cancer Treatment : Secondary Analysis from the Phys-Can Randomized Controlled Trial
- 2020
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Ingår i: Integrative Cancer Therapies. - : Sage Publications. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 19
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Adherence to exercise interventions in patients with cancer is often poorly described. Further, it is unclear if self-regulatory behavior change techniques (BCTs) can improve exercise adherence in cancer populations. We aimed to (1) describe exercise adherence in terms of frequency, intensity, time, type (FITT-principles) and dropouts, and (2) determine the effect of specific self-regulatory BCTs on exercise adherence in patients participating in an exercise intervention during curative cancer treatment. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis using data from a Swedish multicentre RCT. In a 2x2 factorial design, 577 participants recently diagnosed with curable breast, colorectal or prostate cancer were randomized to 6 months of high (HI) or low-to-moderate intensity (LMI) exercise,withorwithoutself-regulatory BCTs (e.g., goal-setting and self-monitoring). The exercise program included supervised group-based resistance training and home-based endurance training. Exercise adherence (performed training/prescribed training) was assessed using attendance records, training logs and heart rate monitors, and is presented descriptively. Linear regression and logistic regression were used to assess the effect of self-regulatory BCTs on each FITT-principle and dropout rates, according to intention-to-treat. Results: For resistance training (groupswithvswithoutself-regulatory BCTs), participants attended on average 52% vs 53% of prescribed sessions, performed 79% vs 76% of prescribed intensity, and 80% vs 77% of prescribed time. They adhered to exercise type in 71% vs 68% of attended sessions. For endurance training (groupswithvswithoutself-regulatory BCTs), participants performed on average 47% vs 51% of prescribed sessions, 57% vs 62% of prescribed intensity, and 71% vs 72% of prescribed time. They adhered to exercise type in 79% vs 78% of performed sessions. Dropout rates (groupswithvswithoutself-regulatory BCTs) were 29% vs 28%. The regression analysis revealed no effect of the self-regulatory BCTs on exercise adherence. Conclusion: An exercise adherence rate >= 50% for each FITT-principle and dropout rates at similar to 30% can be expected among patients taking part in long-term exercise interventions, combining resistance and endurance training during curative cancer treatment. Our results indicate that self-regulatory BCTs do not improve exercise adherence in interventions that provide evidence-based support to all participants (e.g., supervised group sessions).
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| 11. |
- Mazzoni, Anne-Sophie, et al.
(författare)
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The Role of Long-Term Physical Activity in Relation to Cancer-Related Health Outcomes : A 12-Month Follow-up of the Phys-Can RCT
- 2023
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Ingår i: Integrative Cancer Therapies. - : Sage Publications. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 22
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose:While moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) is associated with various health improvements shortly after completion of exercise interventions, it remains unclear which health benefits can be expected when MVPA levels are maintained in the long term in cancer survivors. We aimed to assess the associations of (1) MVPA level at 12-month follow-up and (2) long-term MVPA patterns (from immediately post-intervention to 12-month follow-up) with different cancer-related health outcomes. Methods:In the Physical training and Cancer (Phys-Can) RCT, 577 participants diagnosed with breast (78%), prostate (19%), or colorectal (3%) cancer were randomized to 6 months of exercise during curative cancer treatment. Accelerometer-assessed physical activity and outcome data (ie, cancer-related fatigue, health-related quality of life [HRQoL], anxiety and depression, functioning in daily life, cardiorespiratory fitness, sedentary time and sleep) were collected immediately post-intervention and at 12-month follow-up. Based on the sample's median of MVPA immediately post-intervention (65 minutes/day) and the changes between the 2 measurement points, 4 categories with different long-term MVPA patterns were created: High & Increasing, High & Decreasing, Low & Increasing, and Low & Decreasing. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed for the analyses. Results:A total of 353 participants were included in the analyses. At 12-month follow-up, a higher MVPA level was significantly associated with lower fatigue in 3 domains (general fatigue [& beta; = -.33], physical fatigue [& beta; = -.53] and reduced activity [& beta; = -.37]), higher cardiorespiratory fitness (& beta; = .34) and less sedentary time (& beta; = -.35). For long-term MVPA patterns, compared to the participants in the "Low & Decreasing" category, those in the "High & Increasing" category reported significantly lower fatigue in 3 domains (general fatigue [& beta; = -1.77], physical fatigue [& beta; = -3.36] and reduced activity [& beta; = -1.58]), higher HRQoL (& beta; = 6.84) and had less sedentary time (& beta; = -1.23). Conclusion:Our results suggest that long-term physical activity is essential for improving health outcomes post-intervention in cancer survivors. Cancer survivors, including those who reach recommended MVPA levels, should be encouraged to maintain or increase MVPA post-intervention for additional health benefits.
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| 12. |
- Schouten, Aniek E.M., et al.
(författare)
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Perspectives and Attitudes of Dutch Healthcare Professionals Regarding the Integration of Complementary Medicine in Oncology
- 2023
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Ingår i: Integrative Cancer Therapies. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 22
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Almost half of all patients with cancer use complementary medicine (CM) alongside conventional cancer treatment. Further integration of CM into clinical practice could enhance communication and ensure improved coordination between complementary medicine and conventional care. This study assessed the perspectives of healthcare professionals on the current status of integration of CM in oncology, as well as their attitudes and beliefs toward CM.METHODS: A convenience, volunteer sample of healthcare providers and healthcare managers working in oncology in the Netherlands were surveyed, using a self-reporting, anonymous, online questionnaire. The perspectives on the current status of integration and barriers to implementing complementary medicine were characterized in part 1, while part 2 assessed respondents' attitudes and beliefs regarding CM.RESULTS: A total of 209 people completed part 1 of the survey and 159 people completed the entire questionnaire. Two-thirds (68.4%) of the respondents indicated that their organization has implemented complementary medicine in oncology, or envisions implementation, while 49.3% stated they were missing something to implement CM in oncology. About 86.8% of the respondents (completely) agreed that complementary medicine is an important supplement to oncological treatment. Female respondents were more likely to express positive attitudes, as well as respondents whose institutions have implemented CM.CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that attention is being paid to the integration of CM into oncology. Overall, the attitudes of respondents toward CM were positive. The main barriers for implementing CM activities were missing knowledge, experience, financial support, and support from management. To improve the ability of healthcare providers to guide patients in their use of complementary medicine, these issues should be delved into in future research.
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| 13. |
- Stake-Nilsson, Kerstin, et al.
(författare)
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A Study of Self-Care Practice in Routine Radiotherapy Care: Identifying Differences Between Practitioners and Non-Practitioners in Sociodemographic, Clinical, Functional, and Quality-of-Life-Related Characteristics
- 2022
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Ingår i: Integrative Cancer Therapies. - : Sage Publications. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe self-care practice during radiotherapy for cancer and to identify potential differences between practitioners and non-practitioners of self-care regarding sociodemographic, clinical, functional, and quality-of-life-related characteristics.Methods: In this descriptive study, 439 patients (87% response rate) undergoing radiotherapy responded to a study questionnaire regarding self-care, sociodemographic, clinical (eg, experienced symptoms), functional, and quality-of-life-related characteristics.Results: Of the 439 patients, 189 (43%) practiced at least one self-care strategy, while 250 (57%) did not. In total, the patients described 332 self-care practices, resulting in 14 different categories of self-care strategies. The 5 most common indicators of practicing self-care were fatigue, general wellbeing, psychological symptoms, nausea, vomiting and improving physical condition. The 5 most common self-care strategies were physical activity, increased recovery, healthy eating, distraction, and skincare. Patients who were married, were older than 69, patients with less education than university education, patients undergoing a combination of internal and external radiotherapy, patients experiencing fewer than 8 symptoms, and better quality of life, practiced self-care to a lower extent than did other patients. Functional capacity did not differ between self-care practitioners and non-practitioners.Conclusion and Implications for Practice: Of the patients undergoing radiotherapy, slightly less than half practiced self-care during an ordinary week of radiotherapy. Because older and less-educated patients were less likely to practice self-care, cancer care practitioners should consider paying particular attention to helping such patients with their self-care practice.
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| 14. |
- Tödt, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
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Fatigue During Cancer-Related Radiotherapy and Associations with Activities, Work Ability and Quality of Life : Paying Attention to Subgroups more Likely to Experience Fatigue
- 2022
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Ingår i: Integrative Cancer Therapies. - : SAGE Publications. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Having knowledge of which patients are more likely to experience fatigue during radiotherapy and the relationship between fatigue and health-related quality of life (HRQL) is important to improve identification and care of patients experiencing burdensome fatigue. Objective: To identify subgroups of patients, varying in situational, physiological, and psychological factors, who are more likely to experience fatigue an ordinary week of radiotherapy, and to compare patients experiencing and not experiencing fatigue regarding perceived HRQL and functional performance, that is, daily and physical activity and work ability. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 457 patients (52% women) undergoing radiotherapy (38% breast, 32% prostate cancer), using self-reported questionnaire data on fatigue, HRQL and functional performance analyzed using multivariable regression models. Results: Of the 448 patients who answered the fatigue question, 321 (72%) experienced fatigue. Patients reporting any comorbidity or depressed mood were more likely to experience fatigue, relative risk (RR) 1.56 ([95% confidence interval (CI)] 1.13-2.16) and RR 2.57 (CI 1.73-3.83), respectively. Patients with fatigue reported worse HRQL and performed less physical activity, including daily (P =.003), vigorous (P =.003) and moderate (P =.002) activity. Patients with and without fatigue reported 60% versus 40% sickness absence. Conclusion: Patients with depressed mood or comorbidity were more likely to experience fatigue an ordinary week of radiotherapy than other patients were. Patients experiencing fatigue perceived worse HRQL and performed less daily and physical activity compared to patients not experiencing fatigue. Cancer care practitioners may consider paying extra attention to these subgroups of patients.
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| 15. |
- Widgren, Ylva, et al.
(författare)
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Acupuncture in Patients Undergoing Cancer Therapy: Their Interest and Belief in Acupuncture is High, But Few are Using It
- 2022
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Ingår i: Integrative Cancer Therapies. - : Sage Publications. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: Since pre-existing expectations, that is, beliefs, in a treatment may modify outcomes, and acupuncture studies often fail to measure expectations, we wanted to investigate the use of acupuncture, interest, and belief in acupuncture effects among patients undergoing cancer therapy.METHOD: A cross-sectional design, where the participants answered a study-specific questionnaire with questions regarding their use of, interest and belief in acupuncture treatment.RESULTS: A total of 457 patients with cancer (48% men, mean age 65 years) answered the questionnaire. Acupuncture was used by 4 (1%) patients during their cancer therapy, and 368 (83%) expressed an interest in receiving acupuncture. Of the 457 patients, 289 (63%) believed acupuncture to be effective for at least 1 of 17 requested symptoms, most commonly pain (56% of the patients) and muscle tension (40%). They believed acupuncture to be effective for a mean value 3 of the 17 requested symptoms. Women (P < .001), and patients 41 to 65 years (P < .001), expressed a stronger belief in acupuncture effects than others.CONCLUSIONS: Men and older patients expressed weaker beliefs in acupuncture effects than other patients, indicating the importance of collecting expectancy data in future randomized sham-controlled acupuncture studies to be able to treat expectancy as an effect-modifier. The high interest and beliefs in acupuncture effects found also indicate that acupuncture should be available for patients with cancer, for side effects where acupuncture has shown to be effective. In a clinical setting, older men might need more encouragement regarding positive expected outcomes of the acupuncture treatment than younger women.
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| 16. |
- Widgren, Ylva, et al.
(författare)
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Chemotherapy-induced emesis : experienced burden in life, and significance of treatment expectations and communication in chemotherapy care
- 2023
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Ingår i: Integrative Cancer Therapies. - : Sage Publications. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 22
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Because antiemetics have become more effective and integrative therapies such as acupuncture are used in combination with antiemetics, people receiving chemotherapy for cancer today might expect less emesis than in the past. It is not previously described if and how people receiving modern antiemetics during chemotherapy experience emesis. The objective of this study was to describe experiences regarding emesis among persons undergoing emetogenic chemotherapy, and how it affects their quality of life, daily life and work. A further aim was to describe views on the significance of treatment expectations and communication with healthcare personnel while undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.Method: Fifteen participants (median age 62 years, n = 1 man and n = 14 women, with breast (n = 13) or colorectal (n = 2) cancer) undergoing adjuvant or neo-adjuvant highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy were interviewed individually. The data were then analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.Results: Three themes described the participants’ experiences: “Your whole life is affected, or continues as usual,” covering descriptions of emesis limiting some participants’ everyday lives, while others experienced no emesis at all or had found ways to manage it. Overall, participants described satisfaction with their antiemetic treatment. “Experiences and expectations more important than information”, that is, the participants reported wanting all the information they could get about possible adverse effects of treatment, although they believed previous experiences were more important than information in creating expectations about treatment outcomes. The participants reported that being seen as a unique person was of utmost importance: “Meet me as I am.” This creates trust in healthcare personnel and a feeling of safety and security in the situation.Conclusions: These findings underline the importance of person-centered care and support in creating positive treatment expectations. Future research is called for regarding the potential antiemetic effects of positive communication regarding strengthening positive treatment expectations during emetogenic chemotherapy.
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| 17. |
- Wiggenraad, Fleur, et al.
(författare)
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Long-Term Favorable Effects of Physical Exercise on Burdensome Symptoms in the OptiTrain Breast Cancer Randomized Controlled Trial.
- 2020
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Ingår i: Integrative Cancer Therapies. - : SAGE Publications. - 1534-7354 .- 1552-695X. ; 19
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: We evaluate longitudinal changes in symptom clusters and core burdensome symptoms in breast cancer patients who participated in the OptiTrain trial. Methods: 240 women were randomized to 16 weeks of supervised exercise (RT-HIIT or AT-HIIT) or usual care (UC) during adjuvant chemotherapy. Symptom clusters were composed using the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS), assessed at baseline, 16 weeks and 12 months later. Three symptom clusters were formed. Results: Three symptom clusters were identified: "emotional," "treatment-related toxicity," and "physical," with core burdensome symptoms present over time. At 16 weeks, the reported burdens of "feeling sad" (RT-HIIT vs UC: effect size [ES] = -0.69; AT-HIIT vs UC: ES = -0.56) and "feeling irritable" (ES = -0.41 RT-HIIT; ES = -0.31 AT-HIIT) were significantly lower in both intervention groups compared with UC. At 12 months, the AT-HIIT group continued to have significantly lower scores for the core burdensome symptoms "feeling sad" (ES = -0.44), "feeling irritable" (ES = -0.44), and "changes in the way food tastes" (ES = -0.53) compared with UC. No between-group differences were found for physical symptoms. Conclusion: We identified 3 symptom clusters in breast cancer patients during and after adjuvant chemotherapy, composed of "emotional," "treatment-related toxicity," and "physical" symptoms. After treatment completion up to 12 months post-baseline, patients in the physical exercise groups reported lower symptom burden scores for emotional symptoms, compared with UC. Our findings indicate a preserved and long-term beneficial effect of physical exercise on self-reported emotional well-being in chemotherapy-treated breast cancer patients.
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