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- Söderlund Schaller, Anne, 1967-
(författare)
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Impact of Pain and Evaluation of Education and Self-Care in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- It is not unusual for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) to suffer from both tumor and treatment-related pain that is difficult to alleviate despite individualized pharmacological treatment.The presence of concomitant various dimensions of pain in patients during the often difficult period following radiotherapy (RT) has not been elucidated. Several aspects concerning the importance of relatives for HNC patients have been addressed. However, little attention has been given to how relatives perceive patients with HNC pain and it is important to further elucidate this sparsely studied topic. Knowledge about health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in this patient group during early RT is limited and needs to be assessed in relation to diagnosis and treatment. Self-care (SC) refers to what patients do on their own to achieve, maintain, and promote optimal health and may help reduce pain for several pain conditions. The impact of patient education and SC on pain and other common HNC symptoms need further clarification.The aims of this thesis were:to describe experiences and perceptions of pain in patients with HNC shortly after RTto describe how relatives perceived the patient’s situation, especially concerning pain, and how they experienced their own situationto identify factors that impact HR-QoL during early RTto develop effective pain management strategies, maintain activities of daily living, and promote HR-QoL in patients with HNC undergoing RT using patient education and SC instruction.In paper I patients with HNC described existential pain – expressed as fear of death, meaninglessness and guilt – already during and shortly after RT. Physical pain, psychological distress and social withdrawal played a significant role. Patients with HNC who were treated with RT should also proactively be offered treatment for the various dimensions of pain.In paper II relatives described their mental stress in response to a challenging situation that required their active support to help ease the patient's difficult condition. The interviews with relatives also revealed a lack of personal knowledge and frustration over the inability to participate in patient care, as well as inadequate support from the healthcare system. Early interventions from the healthcare system on behalf of the relatives may be necessary to meet these needs.In Paper III regression models revealed that pain intensity and symptoms of depression adversely affected HR-QoL in patients with HNC during early RT. Customized prehabilitation programs aimed at preventing pain and symptoms of depression could help preserve good HR-QoL.Paper IV assessed individual patient education and SC initiatives that resulted in a tendency for lower pain intensity during a portion of RT. One way to potentially enhance the benefits of education and SC could be to improve for example patient motivation and self-efficacy, as well as to optimize supportive efforts from caregivers.In conclusion, by identifying factors that can impact HR-QoL and evaluating the effect of patient education and SC, this thesis contributes to knowledge on perceived pain and the patient’s situation during and shortly after RT in patients with HNC and their relatives. This thesis points to the need for evaluation and further development of patient education and effective SC strategies for pain in patients with HNC undergoing RT, as well as for development and evaluation of support strategies for patients with pain and their families during and after RT.
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| 2. |
- Sernheim, Åsa-Sara, 1957-
(författare)
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Time for Activities for Girls and Women with Rett Syndrome
- 2018
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Irrespective of the great individual variation, people diagnosed with RTT largely rely on support from others to be able to do and participate in activities throughout their lives. This thesis focuses on which activities are done and liked/disliked by girls and women with RTT in Sweden. The overall aim was to describe the everyday lives of female individuals with Rett syndrome.Two studies are included in this thesis. The first is a descriptive study, using secondary data from three earlier questionnaires, encompassing data from 175 participants (girls/women) described by 365 informants (parents/staff). Content analysis was used to analyse the openended questions. In the second study a Time-geographic diary method and the software VISUAL-TimePAcTs computer program, DAILY LIFE 2011 were used. Ten participants (teenagers/young female adults) with RTT and their 63 informants participated in the diary study.The main findings in the first study (I) were that the girls and women with RTT enjoyed activities that included aspects of ‘contact’, ‘sensory impression’ and ‘motion’. The activities most enjoyed over the years were bathing/swimming, listening to music or being outdoors/walking. The parents and staff also liked to do the same activities that the girls or women enjoyed doing, described as sharing their joy. Of the few activities that were reported as being unenjoyable, most were daily care activities.The diary study (II) showed that the most frequently reported activities were hygiene/toilet, moving around indoors, eating and getting dressed. Most time was spent in sleeping, daily care, medical and health care activities and also for travel/transportation. Little time remained for other kinds of activities especially for the young adults. Most time was spent with staff, thereafter with families, and the least time was spent with friends. The participant response that was reported most often during activities was ‘interested’, while ‘opposed’ was the least reported. Responses of ‘opposition’ were primarily seen during caring activities such as toileting, using the breathing mask, stretching, brushing teeth, being woken up, dressing and putting on orthoses. Responses of ‘engagement’ were noted in contexts of socialising, playing and communicating activities with friends or staff. Engagement responses were also reported during activities of ‘motion’ such as changing body position, moving in the water or gymnastics, eating food and snacks, and even when watching/listening to films, books or music.Thus, increased knowledge concerning the importance of activities for girls and women with RTT is essential for their well-being, participation and continued development. Increased knowledge could facilitate the choice of activities and a more varied use of activities. Regardless of age, severity of symptoms or developed skills, it is important that not only basic needs such as sleep, daily care and medical health care activities are fulfilled for individuals with Rett syndrome. It is also essential for them to spend time with friends, family and staff doing enjoyable activities both at home and in other places.
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