| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
- Ceberg, Crister, et al.
(författare)
-
Photon activation therapy of RG2 glioma carrying Fischer rats using stable thallium and monochromatic synchrotron radiation.
- 2012
-
Ingår i: Physics in Medicine and Biology. - : IOP Publishing. - 1361-6560 .- 0031-9155. ; 57:24, s. 8377-8391
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- 75 RG2 glioma-carrying Fischer rats were treated by photon activation therapy (PAT) with monochromatic synchrotron radiation and stable thallium. Three groups were treated with thallium in combination with radiation at different energy; immediately below and above the thallium K-edge, and at 50 keV. Three control groups were given irradiation only, thallium only, or no treatment at all. For animals receiving thallium in combination with radiation to 15 Gy at 50 keV, the median survival time was 30 days, which was 67% longer than for the untreated controls (p = 0.0020) and 36% longer than for the group treated with radiation alone (not significant). Treatment with thallium and radiation at the higher energy levels were not effective at the given absorbed dose and thallium concentration. In the groups treated at 50 keV and above the K-edge, several animals exhibited extensive and sometimes contra-lateral edema, neuronal death and frank tissue necrosis. No such marked changes were seen in the other groups. The results were discussed with reference to Monte Carlo calculated electron energy spectra and dose enhancement factors.
|
|
| 3. |
- Ceberg, Sofie, et al.
(författare)
-
Surface guided radiotherapy decreases the uncertainty in breast cancer patient setup
- 2018
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- (Sunday, 7/29/2018) 3:00 PM - 6:00 PMRoom: Exhibit HallPurpose: The aim was to investigate if the setup of breast cancer patients could be improved using surface guided radiotherapy, compared to the conventional method using lasers and skin markings.Methods: Forty-seven patients, who received tangential or locoregional adjuvant radiotherapy, were positioned using a surface-based setup (SBS). Thirty-eight patients were positioned using the conventional laser-based setup (LBS). For the patient group positioned using a SBS, correction for posture was performed under guidance of a color map projected onto the patients' skin in real time. The surface tolerance for the color map was 5 mm. For both setup techniques the deviation of the breast position was measured using verification images. In total, 897 images were analysed. The frequency distributions of the deviations were analysed.Results: The result showed a significant improvement in the interfractional variation of the setup deviation for SBS compared to the LBS (pConclusion: Conventional laser-based setup can be replaced by surface-based setup, both for tangential and locoregional breast cancer treatments.
|
|
| 4. |
- Dasu, Alexandru, et al.
(författare)
-
Normal tissue sparing potential of scanned proton beams with and without respiratory gating for the treatment of internal mammary nodes in breast cancer radiotherapy
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Physica medica (Testo stampato). - : Elsevier BV. - 1120-1797 .- 1724-191X. ; 52, s. 81-85
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Proton therapy has shown potential for reducing doses to normal tissues in breast cancer radiotherapy. However data on the impact of protons when including internal mammary nodes (IMN) in the target for breast radiotherapy is comparatively scarce. This study aimed to evaluate normal tissue doses when including the IMN in regional RT with scanned proton beams, with and without respiratory gating. The study cohort was composed of ten left-sided breast patients CT-scanned during enhanced inspiration gating (EIG) and free-breathing (FB). Proton plans were designed for the target including or excluding the IMN. Targets and organs-at-risk were delineated according to RTOG guidelines. Comparison was performed between dosimetric parameters characterizing target coverage and OAR radiation burden. Statistical significance of differences was tested using a paired, two-tailed Student's t-test. Inclusion of the IMN in the target volume led to a small increase of the cardiopulmonary burden. The largest differences were seen for the ipsilateral lung where the mean dose increased from 6.1 to 6.6 Gy (RBE) (P < 0.0001) in FB plans and from 6.9 to 7.4 Gy (RBE) (P = 0.003) in EIG plans. Target coverage parameters were very little affected by the inclusion of IMN into the treatment target. Radiotherapy with scanned proton beams has the potential of maintaining low cardiovascular burden when including the IMN into the target, irrespective of whether respiratory gating is used or not.
|
|
| 5. |
- Edvardsson, Anneli, et al.
(författare)
-
Comparative treatment planning study for mediastinal Hodgkin’s lymphoma : impact on normal tissue dose using deep inspiration breath hold proton and photon therapy
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - 0284-186X. ; 58:1, s. 95-104
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Late effects induced by radiotherapy (RT) are of great concern for mediastinal Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) patients and it is therefore important to reduce normal tissue dose. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact on the normal tissue dose and target coverage, using various combinations of intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and 3-dimensional conformal RT (3D-CRT), planned in both deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) and free breathing (FB). Material and methods: Eighteen patients were enrolled in this study and planned with involved site RT. Two computed tomography images were acquired for each patient, one during DIBH and one during FB. Six treatment plans were created for each patient; 3D-CRT in FB, 3D-CRT in DIBH, VMAT in FB, VMAT in DIBH, IMPT in FB and IMPT in DIBH. Dosimetric impact on the heart, left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, lungs, female breasts, target coverage, and also conformity index and integral dose (ID), was compared between the different treatment techniques. Results: The use of DIBH significantly reduced the lung dose for all three treatment techniques, however, no significant difference in the dose to the female breasts was observed. Regarding the heart and LAD doses, large individual variations were observed. For VMAT, the mean heart and LAD doses were significantly reduced using DIBH, but no significant difference was observed for 3D-CRT and IMPT. Both IMPT and VMAT resulted in improved target coverage and more conform dose distributions compared to 3D-CRT. IMPT generally showed the lowest organs at risk (OAR) doses and significantly reduced the ID compared to both 3D-CRT and VMAT. Conclusions: The majority of patients benefited from treatment in DIBH, however, the impact on the normal tissue dose was highly individual and therefore comparative treatment planning is encouraged. The lowest OAR doses were generally observed for IMPT in combination with DIBH.
|
|
| 6. |
|
|
| 7. |
- Edvardsson, Anneli
(författare)
-
Dosimetric effects of breathing motion in radiotherapy
- 2018
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The goal of radiotherapy is to deliver a homogeneous high dose of radiation to a tumour while minimising the dose to the surrounding healthy tissue. To achieve this, increasingly advanced treatment techniques, such as volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and proton therapy, have been developed. However, these treatment techniques are sensitive to patient motion, such as breathing, which may degrade the dose distribution to the tumour and healthy tissue. The simultaneous movement of the tumour and treatment delivery may cause unwanted heterogeneities in the dose distribution, so-called interplay effects. Treatment during deep inspiration (DI) could mitigate the motion and lead to favourable anatomical changes in the tumour position with respect to healthy tissue. The aim of the work presented in this thesis was to investigate various effects of breathing motion on the tumour and healthy tissue dose distribution in radiotherapy.Potential healthy tissue dose sparing using DI photon or proton therapy was investigated for left-sided breast cancer and mediastinal Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) by performing comparative treatment planning studies. The use of DI reduced the dose to healthy tissue for left-sided breast cancer patients. It also reduced the healthy tissue dose for most mediastinal HL patients, but the benefits were more patient specific due to large variations in the disease distribution. Protons reduced the dose to healthy tissue for both left-sided breast cancer and mediastinal HL patients compared to photons, regardless of the use of DI.A tool to simulate breathing-motion-induced interplay effects for VMAT was developed and used to investigate how interplay effects vary for different treatment scenarios. The tool was further adapted for use in a more clinical setting to investigate interplay effects for stereotactic VMAT treatment of liver metastases. Interplay effects were shown to negatively affect the dose distribution, resulting in underdosing part of the tumour. The extent of interplay effects depended on the tumour motion and treatment plan characteristics. In conclusion, major dosimetric effects of breathing motion on radiotherapy treatment were demonstrated by the work presented in this thesis. A beneficial effect of reduced healthy tissue dose was observed when the patient used controlled DI. Furthermore, by knowing the breathing-induced motion of the tumour, the treatment delivery parameters can be selected wisely to minimise unwanted interplay effects. Knowledge of the dosimetric effects of breathing motion is important to be able to individually optimise the radiotherapy treatment.
|
|
| 8. |
- Edvardsson, Anneli, et al.
(författare)
-
Motion induced interplay effects for VMAT radiotherapy
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Physics in Medicine and Biology. - : IOP Publishing. - 0031-9155 .- 1361-6560. ; 63:8
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of this study was to develop a method to simulate breathing motion induced interplay effects for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), to verify the proposed method with measurements, and to use the method to investigate how interplay effects vary with different patient-and machine specific parameters. VMAT treatment plans were created on a virtual phantom in a treatment planning system (TPS). Interplay effects were simulated by dividing each plan into smaller sub-arcs using an in-house developed software and shifting the isocenter for each sub-arc to simulate a sin(6) breathing motion in the superior-inferior direction. The simulations were performed for both flattening-filter (FF) and flattening-filter free (FFF) plans and for different breathing amplitudes, period times, initial breathing phases, dose levels, plan complexities, CTV sizes, and collimator angles. The resulting sub-arcs were calculated in the TPS, generating a dose distribution including the effects of motion. The interplay effects were separated from dose blurring and the relative dose differences to 2% and 98% of the CTV volume (Delta D-98% and Delta D-2%) were calculated. To verify the simulation method, measurements were carried out, both static and during motion, using a quasi-3D phantom and a motion platform. The results of the verification measurements during motion were comparable to the results of the static measurements. Considerable interplay effects were observed for individual fractions, with the minimum Delta D-98% and maximum Delta D-2% being - 16.7% and 16.2%, respectively. The extent of interplay effects was larger for FFF compared to FF and generally increased for higher breathing amplitudes, larger period times, lower dose levels, and more complex treatment plans. Also, the interplay effects varied considerably with the initial breathing phase, and larger variations were observed for smaller CTV sizes. In conclusion, a method to simulate motion induced interplay effects was developed and verified with measurements, which allowed for a large number of treatment scenarios to be investigated. The simulations showed large interplay effects for individual fractions and that the extent of interplay effects varied with the breathing pattern, FFF/FF, dose level, CTV size, collimator angle, and the complexity of the treatment plan.
|
|
| 9. |
|
|
| 10. |
- Edvardsson, Anneli, et al.
(författare)
-
Robustness and dosimetric verification of hippocampal-sparing craniospinal pencil beam scanning proton plans for pediatric medulloblastoma
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Physics and Imaging in Radiation Oncology. - : Elsevier. - 2405-6316. ; 29
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and PurposeHippocampal-sparing (HS) is a method that can potentially reduce late cognitive complications for pediatric medulloblastoma (MB) patients treated with craniospinal proton therapy (PT). The aim of this study was to investigate robustness and dosimetric plan verification of pencil beam scanning HS PT.Materials and MethodsHS and non-HS PT plans for the whole brain part of craniospinal treatment were created for 15 pediatric MB patients. A robust evaluation of the plans was performed. Plans were recalculated in a water phantom and measured field-by-field using an ion chamber detector at depths corresponding to the central part of hippocampi. All HS and non-HS fields were measured with the standard resolution of the detector and in addition 16 HS fields were measured with high resolution. Measured and planned dose distributions were compared using gamma evaluation.ResultsThe median mean hippocampus dose was reduced from 22.9 Gy (RBE) to 8.9 Gy (RBE), while keeping CTV V95% above 95 % for all nominal HS plans. HS plans were relatively robust regarding hippocampus mean dose, however, less robust regarding target coverage and maximum dose compared to non-HS plans. For standard resolution measurements, median pass rates were 99.7 % for HS and 99.5 % for non-HS plans (p < 0.001). For high-resolution measurements, median pass rates were 100 % in the hippocampus region and 98.2 % in the surrounding region.ConclusionsA substantial reduction of dose in the hippocampus region appeared feasible. Dosimetric accuracy of HS plans was comparable to non-HS plans and agreed well with planned dose distribution in the hippocampus region.
|
|
| 11. |
- Edvardsson, Anneli, et al.
(författare)
-
The effect of systematic set-up deviations on the absorbed dose distribution for left-sided breast cancer treated with respiratory gating
- 2013
-
Ingår i: 7th International Conference on 3D Radiation Dosimetry (IC3DDose). - : IOP Publishing. - 1742-6596 .- 1742-6588. ; 444, s. 012099-012099
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was 1) to investigate interfraction set-up uncertainties for patients treated with respiratory gating for left-sided breast cancer, 2) to investigate the effect of the inter-fraction set-up on the absorbed dose-distribution for the target and organs at risk (OARs) and 3) optimize the set-up correction strategy. By acquiring multiple set-up images the systematic set-up deviation was evaluated. The effect of the systematic set-up deviation on the absorbed dose distribution was evaluated by 1) simulation in the treatment planning system and 2) measurements with a biplanar diode array. The set-up deviations could be decreased using a no action level correction strategy. Not using the clinically implemented adaptive maximum likelihood factor for the gating patients resulted in better set-up. When the uncorrected set-up deviations were simulated the average mean absorbed dose was increased from 1.38 to 2.21 Gy for the heart, 4.17 to 8.86 Gy to the left anterior descending coronary artery and 5.80 to 7.64 Gy to the left lung. Respiratory gating can induce systematic set-up deviations which would result in increased mean absorbed dose to the OARs if not corrected for and should therefore be corrected for by an appropriate correction strategy.
|
|
| 12. |
- Edvardsson, Anneli, et al.
(författare)
-
Verification of motion induced thread effect during tomotherapy using gel dosimetry
- 2015
-
Ingår i: 8th International Conference on 3D Radiation Dosimetry (IC3DDOSE). - : IOP Publishing. - 1742-6596 .- 1742-6588. ; 573, s. 012048-012048
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of the study was to evaluate how breathing motion during tomotherapy (Accuray, CA, USA) treatment affects the absorbed dose distribution. The experiments were carried out using gel dosimetry and a motion device simulating respiratory-like motion (HexaMotion, ScandiDos, Uppsala, Sweden). Normoxic polyacrylamide gels (nPAG) were irradiated, both during respiratory-like motion and in a static mode. To be able to investigate interplay effects the static absorbed dose distribution was convolved with the motion function and differences between the dynamic and convolved static absorbed dose distributions were interpreted as interplay effects. The expected dose blurring was present and the interplay effects formed a spiral pattern in the lower dose volume. This was expected since the motion induced affects the preset pitch and the theoretically predicted thread effect may emerge. In this study, the motion induced thread effect was experimentally verified for the first time.
|
|
| 13. |
|
|
| 14. |
- Edvardsson, Johannes, et al.
(författare)
-
Late-Holocene expansion of a south Swedish peatland and its impact on marginal ecosystems: Evidence from dendrochronology, peat stratigraphy and palaeobotanical data
- 2014
-
Ingår i: The Holocene. - : SAGE Publications. - 0959-6836 .- 1477-0911. ; 24:4, s. 466-476
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this study, a reconstruction of the long-term development and lateral expansion of a south Swedish peat bog was performed using a multi-proxy approach, including dendrochronology, peat stratigraphy and macrofossil and pollen analyses. By combining mapping of cross-dated subfossil trees with radiocarbon-dated peat sequences, an improved approach to reconstruction of lateral peat expansion was applied. Apart from providing approximate ages of tree burial episodes, the ring-width records offer information on hydrological variations prior to the bog expansion. New bog oak, pine and alder chronologies are presented and their potential as a dating tool for peatland expansion as well as for local to regional environmental interpretations is examined. Our tree-replication records show that increased amounts of bog trees in the central parts can be linked to drier bog-surface conditions, whereas an increase in wood remains in the marginal zone is related to enhanced preservation due to lateral bog expansion. Our reconstructions of the development of the peat deposit and associated changes in the distribution of vegetation communities provide new insight into peatland responses to climate change at the end of the 'Holocene Thermal Maximum' (5000-4000 cal. yr BP).
|
|
| 15. |
- Edvardsson, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
-
A population-based study of overweight and obesity in expectant parents : socio-demographic patterns and within-couple associations
- 2013
-
Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2458. ; 13
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Overweight and obesity in pregnancy increase the risk of several adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, both mothers’ and fathers’ health play an important role for long-term health outcomes in offspring. While aspects of health and lifestyle of pregnant women have been reported, the health of expectant fathers and correlations of health variables within couples have received less attention. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and socio-demographic patterns of overweight and obesity in Swedish expectant parents, and to assess within-couple associations.Methods: This population-based, cross-sectional study investigated self-reported data from 4352 pregnant women and 3949 expectant fathers, comprising 3356 identified couples. Data were collected in antenatal care clinics between January 2008 and December 2011. Descriptive, correlation and logistic regression analyses were performed.Results: The self-reported prevalence of overweight (BMI 25.0-29.99) and obesity (BMI ≥30.0) was 29% among women (pre-pregnancy) and 53% among expectant fathers. In a majority of couples (62%), at least one partner was overweight or obese. The odds of being overweight or obese increased relative to partner’s overweight or obesity, and women’s odds of being obese were more than six times higher if their partners were also obese in comparison with women whose partners were of normal weight (OR 6.2, CI 4.2-9.3). A socio-demographic gradient was found in both genders in relation to education, occupation and area of residence, with higher odds of being obese further down the social ladder. The cumulative influence of these factors showed a substantial increase in the odds of obesity for the least compared to the most privileged (OR 6.5, CI 3.6-11.8).Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in expectant parents was high, with a clear social gradient, and a minority of couples reported both partners with a healthy weight at the onset of pregnancy. Partner influence on health and health behaviours, and the role both mothers and fathers play in health outcomes of their offspring, underpin the need for a more holistic and gender inclusive approach to the delivery of pregnancy care and postnatal and child health services, with active measures employed to involve fathers.
|
|
| 16. |
- Edvardsson, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
-
Giving offspring a healthy start : parents' experiences of health promotion and lifestyle change during pregnancy and early parenthood
- 2011
-
Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 11
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: There are good opportunities in Sweden for health promotion targeting expectant parents and parents of young children, as almost all are reached by antenatal and child health care. In 2005, a multisectoral child health promotion programme (the Salut Programme) was launched to further strengthen such efforts. Methods: Between June and December 2010 twenty-four in-depth interviews were conducted separately with first-time mothers and fathers when their child had reached 18 months of age. The aim was to explore their experiences of health promotion and lifestyle change during pregnancy and early parenthood. Qualitative manifest and latent content analysis was applied. Results: Parents reported undertaking lifestyle changes to secure the health of the fetus during pregnancy, and in early parenthood to create a health-promoting environment for the child. Both women and men portrayed themselves as highly receptive to health messages regarding the effect of their lifestyle on fetal health, and they frequently mentioned risks related to tobacco and alcohol, as well as toxins and infectious agents in specific foods. However, health promotion strategies in pregnancy and early parenthood did not seem to influence parents to make lifestyle change primarily to promote their own health; a healthy lifestyle was simply perceived as 'common knowledge'. Although trust in health care was generally high, both women and men described some resistance to what they saw as preaching, or very directive counselling about healthy living and the lack of a holistic approach from health care providers. They also reported insufficient engagement with fathers in antenatal care and child health care. Conclusion: Perceptions about risks to the offspring's health appear to be the primary driving force for lifestyle change during pregnancy and early parenthood. However, as parents' motivation to prioritise their own health per se seems to be low during this period, future health promoting programmes need to take this into account. A more gender equal provision of health promotion to parents might increase men's involvement in lifestyle change. Furthermore, parents' ranking of major lifestyle risks to the fetus may not sufficiently reflect those that constitute greatest public health concern, an area for further stud
|
|
| 17. |
- Edvardsson, Kristina, 1973-
(författare)
-
Health promotion in pregnancy and early parenthood : the challenge of innovation, implementation and change within the Salut Programme
- 2013
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: In 2005, the Västerbotten County Council launched a child health promotion programme, “the Salut Programme”, in response to an alarming prevalence of overweight and obesity, and trends of increased dental caries, among young county citizens. The programme, initially developed in four pilot areas, is built on multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration and aims to support and strengthen health promotion activities in health care, social services and school settings. It targets children and adolescents (0-18 years of age) and their parents, and starts during pregnancy. This thesis focuses on interventions provided by antenatal care, child health care, dental services, and open pre-schools, directed to expectant parents and families with children aged 0-1 ½ years. Within the programme context, the aim was to explore socio-demographic patterns of overweight and obesity in expectant parents (Paper I), firsttime parents’ experiences of health promotion and lifestyle change during pregnancy and early parenthood (Paper II), professionals’ experiences of factors influencing programme implementation and sustainability (Paper III and IV), and early programme outcomes on professionals’ health promotion practices and collaboration following countywide dissemination and implementation (Paper IV). Methods and results: A population based cross-sectional study among expectant parents showed overweight and obesity in 29% of women (pre-pregnancy) and in 53% of men (n=4,352♀, 3,949♂). The likelihood for obesity was higher in expectant parents with lower levels of education, among those unemployed or on sick leave, and those living in rural areas. In 62% of couples, at least one of the partners was overweight or obese; a positive partner correlation was also found for BMI (I). An interview study with 24 first-time parents (n=12♀, 12♂) revealed that they primarily undertook lifestyle changes to secure the health of the fetus in pregnancy, and to provide a healthy environment in childhood. Parents described themselves as highly receptive to information about how their lifestyle could influence fetal health, and they frequently discussed pregnancy risks related to tobacco and alcohol, as well as toxins and infectious agents in foods. However, parents did not seem inclined to make lifestyle changes primarily to promote their own health. The antenatal and child health care services were perceived as being mainly directed towards women, and parents described a lack of a holistic view of the family which included experiences of fathers being treated as less important (II). An interview study undertaken with professionals (n=23) in the Salut Programme pilot areas indicated programme sustainability at most sites, two years after implementation, although less adherence was described within child health care. Factors influencing programme sustainability, as described by professionals, were identified at multiple organisational levels (III). A before-and-after survey among professionals (n=144) measured outcomes of the county-wide implementation of the Salut Programme in 13 out of 15 county municipalities. Results showed significant improvements in professionals’ health promotion practices and collaboration across sectors. A number of important implementation facilitators and barriers, acting at different organizational levels, were also identified via a survey comprised of open-ended questions (IV). Conclusion: The Salut Programme, developed with high involvement of professionals, and strongly integrated in existing organisational structures and practices, shows potential for improving health promotion practices and cross-sectoral collaboration. The findings can inform further development of the Salut Programme.as well as new health promotion initiatives, and inform policy practice and future research. These aspects include approaches in health promotion and prevention, father involvement during pregnancy and early parenthood, and factors influencing implementation and sustainability of cross-sectoral health promotion programmes.
|
|
| 18. |
- Edvardsson, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
-
Improving child health promotion practices in multiple sectors : outcomes of the Swedish Salut Programme
- 2013
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background To improve health in the population, public health interventions must be successfully implemented within organisations, requiring behaviour change in health service providers as well as in the target population group. Such behavioural change is seldom easily achieved. The purpose of this study was to examine the outcomes of a child health promotion programme (The Salut Programme) on professionals’ self-reported health promotion practices, and to investigate perceived facilitators and barriers for programme implementation. MethodsA before-and-after design was used to measure programme outcomes, and qualitative data on implementation facilitators and barriers were collected on two occasions during the implementation process. The sample included professionals in antenatal care (ANC), child health care (CHC), dental services (DS) and open pre-schools (OP) (n=144 pre-implementation) in 13 out of 15 municipalities in a Swedish county. Response rates ranged between 81% and 96% at the four measurement points. ResultsHealth promotion practices and collaboration improved in all sectors. Significant changes included an increase in the extent to which professionals raised a range of lifestyle topics (CHC, DS) including issues related to men’s violence against women (ANC), an increased use of motivational interviewing and ‘fathers visits’ (CHC), improvements in the supply of healthy snacks and beverages (OP), and increased inter-sectorial collaboration. Main facilitators included sector-specific work manuals and inter-sectoral collaboration, while main barriers were related to workload issues.ConclusionThis multisectoral programme for health promotion, based on sector-specific intervention packages developed and tested by end users, and introduced via interactive multisectoral seminars, shows potential for improving health promotion practices and collaboration across sectors. Consideration of the key facilitators and barriers for programme implementation as highlighted in this study can inform future improvement efforts.
|
|
| 19. |
- Edvardsson, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
-
Improving child health promotion practices in multiple sectors – outcomes of the Swedish Salut Programme
- 2012
-
Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 12:920
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: To improve health in the population, public health interventions must be successfully implemented within organisations, requiring behaviour change in health service providers as well as in the target population group. Such behavioural change is seldom easily achieved. The purpose of this study was to examine the outcomes of a child health promotion programme (The Salut Programme) on professionals’ self-reported health promotion practices, and to investigate perceived facilitators and barriers for programme implementation.Methods: A before-and-after design was used to measure programme outcomes, and qualitative data on implementation facilitators and barriers were collected on two occasions during the implementation process. The sample included professionals in antenatal care, child health care, dental services and open pre-schools (n=144 pre-implementation) in 13 out of 15 municipalities in a Swedish county. Response rates ranged between 81% and 96% at the four measurement points.Results: Self-reported health promotion practices and collaboration were improved in all sectors at follow up. Significant changes included: 1) an increase in the extent to which midwives in antenatal care raised issues related to men’s violence against women, 2) an increase in the extent to which several lifestyle topics were raised with parents/clients in child health care and dental services, 3) an increased use of motivational interviewing (MI) and separate ‘fathers visits’ in child health care 4) improvements in the supply of healthy snacks and beverages in open pre-schools and 5) increased collaboration between sectors. Main facilitators for programme implementation included cross-sectoral collaboration and sector-specific work manuals/questionnaires for use as support in everyday practice. Main barriers included high workload, and shortage of time and staff.Conclusion: This multisectoral programme for health promotion, based on sector-specific intervention packages developed and tested by end users, and introduced via interactive multisectoral seminars, shows potential for improving health promotion practices and collaboration across sectors. Consideration of the key facilitators and barriers for programme implementation as highlighted in this study can inform future improvement efforts.
|
|
| 20. |
|
|
| 21. |
- Edvardsson, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
-
Sustainable practice change: Professionals' experiences with a multisectoral child health promotion programme in Sweden
- 2011
-
Ingår i: BMC Health Services Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1472-6963. ; 11:61
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: New methods for prevention and health promotion and are constantly evolving; however, positive outcomes will only emerge if these methods are fully adopted and sustainable in practice. To date, limited attention has been given to sustainability of health promotion efforts. This study aimed to explore facilitators, barriers, and requirements for sustainability as experienced by professionals two years after finalizing the development and implementation of a multisectoral child health promotion programme in Sweden (the Salut programme). Initiated in 2005, the programme uses a ‘Salutogenesis’ approach to support health-promoting activities in health care, social services, and schools.Methods: All professionals involved in the Salut Programme’s pilot areas were interviewed between May and September 2009, approximately two years after the intervention package was established and implemented. Participants (n = 23) were midwives, child health nurses, dental hygienists/dental nurses, and pre-school teachers. Transcribed data underwent qualitative content analysis to illuminate perceived facilitators, barriers, and requirements for programme sustainability.Results: The programme was described as sustainable at most sites, except in child health care. The perception of facilitators, barriers, and requirements were largely shared across sectors. Facilitators included being actively involved in intervention development and small-scale testing, personal values corresponding to programme intentions, regular meetings, working close with collaborators, using manuals and a clear programme branding. Existing or potential barriers included insufficient managerial involvement and support and perceived constraints regarding time and resources. In dental health care, barriers also included conflicting incentives for performance. Many facilitators and barriers identified by participants also reflected their perceptions of more general and forthcoming requirements for programme sustainability.Conclusions: These results contribute to the knowledge of processes involved in achieving sustainability in health promotion initiatives. Facilitating factors include involving front-line professionals in intervention development and using small scale testing; however, the success of a programme requires paying attention to the role of managerial support and an overall supportive system. In summary, these results emphasise the importance for both practitioners and researchers to pay attention to parallel processes at different levels in multidisciplinary improvement efforts intended to ensure sustainable practice change.
|
|
| 22. |
- Edvardsson, Tanja, et al.
(författare)
-
Experiences of onset and diagnosis of low-grade glioma from the patient's perspective.
- 2006
-
Ingår i: Cancer Nursing. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0162-220X .- 1538-9804. ; 29:5, s. 415-422
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to describe adult patients' experiences of falling ill and being diagnosed with low-grade glioma. Information concerning such experiences is lacking in the literature. The study population were adults identified within a well-defined population. Interviews were conducted with 27 patients. The interview texts were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Illness onset was described as a sequence of events. Nineteen patients narrated rapid onset and 8 patients prolonged onset. The most commonly described symptoms in both types of onset were headache, epileptic seizures, vomiting, and vision changes. Racing thoughts, depression, and tinnitus were 3 of the more uncommon symptoms. The most prominent negative experiences regarding healthcare included disrespectful encounters and a lack of opportunity for participation. The salient negative life-situation consequences included a lack of social support and attitudes expressing a lack of understanding. However, to some extent, positive experiences also emerged in the interviews concerning healthcare and life situation despite the onset of the illness. In conclusion, most of the patients in the study experienced the illness onset as stressful. Healthcare staff need particular knowledge to understand the vulnerability of the patient in the onset of low-grade glioma.
|
|
| 23. |
- Flejmer, Anna M., et al.
(författare)
-
Respiratory gating for proton beam scanning versus photon 3D-CRT for breast cancer radiotherapy
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 55:5, s. 577-583
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Respiratory gating and proton therapy have both been proposed to reduce the cardiopulmonary burden in breast cancer radiotherapy. This study aims to investigate the additional benefit of proton radiotherapy for breast cancer with and without respiratory gating.Material and methods Twenty left-sided patients were planned on computed tomography (CT)-datasets acquired during enhanced inspiration gating (EIG) and free-breathing (FB), using photon three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) and scanned proton beams. Ten patients received treatment to the whole breast only (WBO) and 10 were treated to the breast and the regional lymph nodes (BRN). Dosimetric parameters characterizing the coverage of target volumes and the cardiopulmonary burden were compared using a paired, two-tailed Student’s t-test.Results Protons ensured comparable or better target coverage than photons in all patients during both EIG and FB. The heterogeneity index decreased from 12% with photons to about 5% with protons. The mean dose to the ipsilateral lung was reduced in BRN patients from 12 Gy to 7 Gy (RBE) in EIG and from 14 Gy to 6-7 Gy (RBE) in FB, while for WBO patients all values were about 5-6 Gy (RBE). The mean dose to heart decreased by a factor of four in WBO patients [from 1.1 Gy to 0.3 Gy (RBE) in EIG and from 2.1 Gy to 0.5 Gy (RBE) in FB] and 10 in BRN patients [from 2.1 Gy to 0.2 Gy (RBE) in EIG and from 3.4 Gy to 0.3 Gy (RBE) in FB]. Similarly, the mean and the near maximum dose to left anterior descending artery (LAD) were significantly lower (p<0.05) with protons in comparison with photons.Conclusion Proton spot scanning has a high potential to reduce the irradiation of organs at risk and other normal tissues for most patients, beyond what could be achieved with EIG and photon therapy. The largest dose sparing has been seen for BRN patients, both in terms of cardiopulmonary burden and integral dose.
|
|
| 24. |
- Hörberger, Filip, et al.
(författare)
-
Pencil beam scanning proton therapy for mediastinal lymphomas in deep inspiration breath-hold : a retrospective assessment of plan robustness
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - : Medical Journals Sweden. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 63, s. 62-69
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose/background: The aim of this study was to evaluate pencil beam scanning (PBS) proton therapy (PT) in deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) for mediastinal lymphoma patients, by retrospectively evaluating plan robustness to the clinical target volume (CTV) and organs at risk (OARs) on repeated CT images acquired throughout treatment.Methods: Sixteen mediastinal lymphoma patients treated with PBS-PT in DIBH were included. Treatment plans (TPs) were robustly optimized on the CTV (7 mm/4.5%). Repeated verification CTs (vCT) were acquired during the treatment course, resulting in 52 images for the entire patient cohort. The CTV and OARs were transferred from the planning CT to the vCTs with deformable image registration and the TPs were recalculated on the vCTs. Target coverage and OAR doses at the vCTs were compared to the nominal plan. Deviation in lung volume was also calculated.Results: The TPs demonstrated high robust target coverage throughout treatment with D98%,CTV deviations within 2% for 14 patients and above the desired requirement of 95% for 49/52 vCTs. However, two patients did not achieve a robust dose to CTV due to poor DIBH reproducibility, with D98%,CTV at 78 and 93% respectively, and replanning was performed for one patient. Adequate OAR sparing was achieved for all patients. Total lung volume variation was below 10% for 39/52 vCTs.Conclusion: PBS PT in DIBH is generally a robust technique for treatment of mediastinal lymphomas. However, closely monitoring the DIBH-reproducibility during treatment is important to avoid underdosing CTV and achieve sufficient dose-sparing of the OARs.
|
|
| 25. |
|
|
| 26. |
- Kügele, Malin, et al.
(författare)
-
Dosimetric effects of intrafractional isocenter variation during deep inspiration breath-hold for breast cancer patients using surface-guided radiotherapy
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics. - : Wiley. - 1526-9914. ; 19:1, s. 25-38
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to investigate potential dose reductions to the heart, left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and ipsilateral lung for left-sided breast cancer using visually guided deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) with the optical surface scanning system Catalyst™, and how these potential dosimetric benefits are affected by intrafractional motion in between breath holds. For both DIBH and free breathing (FB), treatment plans were created for 20 tangential and 20 locoregional left-sided breast cancer patients. During DIBH treatment, beam-on was triggered by a region of interest on the xiphoid process using a 3 mm gating window. Using a novel nonrigid algorithm, the Catalyst™ system allows for simultaneous real-time tracking of the isocenter position, which was used to calculate the intrafractional DIBH isocenter reproducibility. The 50% and 90% cumulative probabilities and maximum values of the intrafractional DIBH isocenter reproducibility were calculated and to obtain the dosimetric effect isocenter shifts corresponding to these values were performed in the treatment planning system. For both tangential and locoregional treatment, the dose to the heart, LAD and ipsilateral lung was significantly reduced for DIBH compared to FB. The intrafractional DIBH isocenter reproducibility was very good for the majority of the treatment sessions, with median values of approximately 1 mm in all three translational directions. However, for a few treatment sessions, intrafractional DIBH isocenter reproducibility of up to 5 mm was observed, which resulted in large dosimetric effects on the target volume and organs at risk. Hence, it is of importance to set tolerance levels on the intrafractional isocenter motion and not only perform DIBH based on the xiphoid process.
|
|
| 27. |
- Kügele, Malin, et al.
(författare)
-
Surface guided radiotherapy (SGRT) improves breast cancer patient setup accuracy
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics. - : Wiley. - 1526-9914. ; , s. 61-68
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate if surface guided radiotherapy (SGRT) can decrease setup deviations for tangential and locoregional breast cancer patients compared to conventional laser-based setup (LBS). Materials and Methods: Both tangential (63 patients) and locoregional (76 patients) breast cancer patients were enrolled in this study. For LBS, the patients were positioned by aligning skin markers to the room lasers. For the surface based setup (SBS), an optical surface scanning system was used for daily setup using both single and three camera systems. To compare the two setup methods, the patient position was evaluated using verification imaging (field images or orthogonal images). Results: For both tangential and locoregional treatments, SBS decreased the setup deviation significantly compared to LBS (P < 0.01). For patients receiving tangential treatment, 95% of the treatment sessions were within the clinical tolerance of ≤ 4 mm in any direction (lateral, longitudinal or vertical) using SBS, compared to 84% for LBS. Corresponding values for patients receiving locoregional treatment were 70% and 54% for SBS and LBS, respectively. No significant difference was observed comparing the setup result using a single camera system or a three camera system. Conclusions: Conventional laser-based setup can with advantage be replaced by surface based setup. Daily SGRT improves patient setup without additional imaging dose to breast cancer patients regardless if a single or three camera system was used.
|
|
| 28. |
- Mannerberg, Annika, et al.
(författare)
-
Abdominal compression as motion management for stereotactic radiotherapy of ventricular tachycardia
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Physics and imaging in radiation oncology. - 2405-6316. ; 28
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and purpose: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has emerged as a promising treatment for patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) who do not respond to standard treatments. However, the management of respiratory motion during treatment remains a challenge. This study aimed to investigate the effect of abdominal compression (AC) on respiratory induced motion in the heart. Materials and methods: A patient cohort of 18 lung cancer patients was utilized, where two four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) scans were performed for each patient, one with and one without AC. The patient setup consisted of an AC plate together with a stereotactic body frame. The left coronary artery, the left anterior descending artery, the lateral wall of the left ventricle, the heart apex, the carina, and the right and left diaphragm were delineated in max expiration and max inspiration phases in both 4DCT scans. The center of mass shift from expiration to inspiration phase was determined to assess the AC's impact on respiratory motion. Results: A significant reduction in motion in the superior-inferior direction was found for all heart structures when AC was used. The median respiratory motion of the heart structures decreased by approximately 1–3 mm with AC in the superior-inferior direction, and approximately 60% of the patients had a motion reduction ≥3 mm in the left ventricle wall. Conclusion: These findings suggest that AC has the potential to improve the motion management of SBRT for VT patients, by reducing the respiratory induced motion in the heart.
|
|
| 29. |
- Mannerberg, Annika, et al.
(författare)
-
Faster and more accurate patient positioning with surface guided radiotherapy for ultra-hypofractionated prostate cancer patients
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Technical Innovations and Patient Support in Radiation Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 2405-6324. ; 19, s. 41-45
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate if surface guided radiotherapy (SGRT) can decrease patient positioning time for localized prostate cancer patients compared to the conventional 3-point localization setup method. The patient setup accuracy was also compared between the two setup methods. Materials and methods: A total of 40 localized prostate cancer patients were enrolled in this study, where 20 patients were positioned with surface imaging (SI) and 20 patients were positioned with 3-point localization. The setup time was obtained from the system log files of the linear accelerator and compared between the two methods. The patient setup was verified with daily orthogonal kV images which were matched based on the implanted gold fiducial markers. Resulting setup deviations between planned and online positions were compared between SI and 3-point localization. Results: Median setup time was 2:50 min and 3:28 min for SI and 3-point localization, respectively (p < 0.001). The median vector offset was 4.7 mm (range: 0–10.4 mm) for SI and 5.2 mm for 3-point localization (range: 0.41–17.3 mm) (p = 0.01). Median setup deviation in the individual translations for SI and 3-point localization respectively was: 1.1 mm and 1.9 mm in lateral direction (p = 0.02), 1.8 and 1.6 mm in the longitudinal direction (p = 0.41) and 2.2 mm and 2.6 mm in the vertical direction (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Using SGRT for positioning of prostate cancer patients provided a faster and more accurate patient positioning compared to the conventional 3-point localization setup.
|
|
| 30. |
|
|
| 31. |
|
|
| 32. |
- Mannerberg, Annika, et al.
(författare)
-
Surface guided electron FLASH radiotherapy for canine cancer patients
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Medical Physics. - 0094-2405. ; 50:7, s. 4047-4054
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundDuring recent years FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) has shown promising results in radiation oncology, with the potential to spare normal tissue while maintaining the antitumor effects. The high speed of the FLASH-RT delivery increases the need for fast and precise motion monitoring to avoid underdosing the target. Surface guided radiotherapy (SGRT) uses surface imaging (SI) to render a 3D surface of the patient. SI provides real-time motion monitoring and has a large scanning field of view, covering off-isocentric positions. However, SI has so far only been used for human patients with conventional setup and treatment.PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the performance of SI as a motion management tool during electron FLASH-RT of canine cancer patients.MethodsTo evaluate the SI system's ability to render surfaces of fur, three fur-like blankets in white, grey, and black were used to imitate the surface of canine patients and the camera settings were optimized for each blanket. Phantom measurements using the fur blankets were carried out, simulating respiratory motion and sudden shift. Respiratory motion was simulated using the QUASAR Respiratory Motion Phantom with the fur blankets placed on the phantom platform, which moved 10 mm vertically with a simulated respiratory period of 4 s. Sudden motion was simulated with an in-house developed phantom, consisting of a platform which was moved vertically in a stepwise motion at a chosen frequency. For sudden measurements, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10 Hz were measured. All measurements were both carried out at the conventional source-to-surface distance (SSD) of 100 cm, and in the locally used FLASH-RT setup at SSD = 70 cm. The capability of the SI system to reproduce the simulated motion and the sampling time were evaluated. As an initial step towards clinical implementation, the feasibility of SI for surface guided FLASH-RT was evaluated for 11 canine cancer patients.ResultsThe SI camera was capable of rendering surfaces for all blankets. The deviation between simulated and measured mean peak-to-peak breathing amplitude was within 0.6 mm for all blankets. The sampling time was generally higher for the black fur than for the white and grey fur, for the measurement of both respiratory and sudden motion. The SI system could measure sudden motion within 62.5 ms and detect motion with a frequency of 10 Hz. The feasibility study of the canine patients showed that the SI system could be an important tool to ensure patient safety. By using this system we could ensure and document that 10 out of 11 canine patients had a total vector offset from the reference setup position ConclusionsWe have shown that SI can be used for surface guided FLASH-RT of canine patients. The SI system is currently not fast enough to interrupt a FLASH-RT beam while irradiating but with the short sampling time sudden motion can be detected. The beam can therefore be held just prior to irradiation, preventing treatment errors such as underdosing the target.
|
|
| 33. |
|
|
| 34. |
|
|
| 35. |
- Wideheim, Ann-Kristin, et al.
(författare)
-
A family's perspective on living with a highly malignant brain tumor.
- 2002
-
Ingår i: Cancer Nursing. - 0162-220X .- 1538-9804. ; 25:3, s. 236-244
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of the study is to describe what it like to live with a highly malignant brain tumor from a family perspective. It is a qualitative study in which 3 families, 3 patients, and 5 next of kin have described their experiences in 15 interviews. The study is prospective, with interviews occurring 2-3 weeks after surgery and 3 and 6 months after the onset of the illness. Inductive content analysis has been employed. The results indicate that when a highly malignant brain tumor is diagnosed, the effect on the family is devastating and there is a state of crisis. Characteristically, there is distancing and a sense of helplessness. The members of the family live from day to day in a state of constant anxiety and fear of losing the patient. The affliction limits the patient's capacity regarding activities of daily life, which increases the burden of the next of kin. The next of kin attempt to cope with their grief by occupying themselves with practical tasks and activities that they believe are meaningful. The family members have only good words to say about their encounter with healthcare staff and about the information given. Negative information that the family have not asked for can cause a long period of frustration and anxiety, and they believe that their hope has been taken away from them.
|
|
