| 1. |
- Dunberger, Gail, et al.
(author)
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Early and individualized cancer rehabilitation important : Tidig och individualiserad cancerrehabilitering viktig
- 2015
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In: Läkartidningen. - 0023-7205. ; 112
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Survivors of gynecological cancer experience physical, psychological and existential consequences. Late gastrointestinal and urinary bladder symptoms, sexual dysfunction, including underlying physical and relational aspects, as well as lymphedema and fatigue, are common complaints. This may lead to reduced quality of life and social functioning and cancer rehabilitation is needed. Cancer rehabilitation, focusing on the individual cancer survivor and her specific needs, starting at diagnosis and continuing throughout cancer treatment and at follow-ups, is necessary.
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| 2. |
- Dunberger, Gail, et al.
(author)
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Tidig och individualiserad cancerrehabilitering viktig.
- 2015
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In: Läkartidningen. - 1652-7518 .- 0023-7205. ; 112:50
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Survivors of gynecological cancer experience physical, psychological and existential consequences. Late gastrointestinal and urinary bladder symptoms, sexual dysfunction, including underlying physical and relational aspects, as well as lymphedema and fatigue, are common complaints. This may lead to reduced quality of life and social functioning and cancer rehabilitation is needed. Cancer rehabilitation, focusing on the individual cancer survivor and her specific needs, starting at diagnosis and continuing throughout cancer treatment and at follow-ups, is necessary.
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| 3. |
- Åhlström, Linda, 1969, et al.
(author)
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Female Human Service Organisation workers with neck pain and a history of Long-term Sick Leave; approaches used in the rehabilitation process for return to work
- 2016
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In: Work Disability Prevention and Integration. 25-28 September, Amsterdam, Netherlands.. ; 2016
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Objectives Studies have reported difficulties in the process of rehabilitation and return to work (RTW) from long-term sick leave, both in general and regarding sick leave because of neck pain in particular. Neck pain is difficult to assess, problematic to rehabilitate, and hard to cure; and it is not always easy to decide whether the pain is work-related. The outcome of RTW could be dependent upon individuals’ approaches, defensive or offensive behaviors, and choices related to their self-efficacy. The aim of this study was to identify approaches used in the RTW process among women with neck pain on long-term sick leave from human service organizations. Methods A qualitative study based on grounded theory. A Swedish cohort of 207 women with a history of long-term sick leave with neck pain from human service organizations answered open-ended written questions at 0, 6, and 12 months, and 6 years; and 16 women were interviewed. Results The women with neck pain expressed their coping approaches to RTW in terms of fluctuating in work status over time, either as a strategy or as a consequence. Periods of sick leave were interwoven with periods of work, with different working degrees. Participants were either controlling the interaction or struggling in the interaction with stakeholders. Conclusions The knowledge gained in this study could improve the outcomes for RTW for the women with neck pain and with a history of long-term sick leave. If the society and especially the workplace can take the fluctuating work status into account this could enhance the RTW process for these individuals.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Abbas, Zareen, 1962, et al.
(author)
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Synthesis, characterization and particle size distribution of TiO2 colloidal nanoparticles
- 2011
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In: Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. - : Elsevier BV. - 0927-7757. ; 384:1-3, s. 254-261
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Nanoparticles of controlled size, well defined shape, pure phase and of clean surfaces are ideal model systems to investigate surface/interfacial reactions. In this study we have explored the possibility of synthesizing TiO2 nanoparticles in the size range of 7–20 nm under well controlled experimental conditions. A simple method based on the hydrolysis of TiCl4 was used to obtain particles having surfaces free from organics. Stable dispersions of TiO2 nanoparticles of various sizes were obtained by optimizing the reaction/dialysis time and temperature. The synthesized TiO2 particles were found to be predominantly of anatase phase and narrow particle size distributions were obtained. The TiO2 particles were characterized with respect to their phase, size and shape by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. Particle size distribution in a colloidal dispersion was obtained by the electrospray scanning mobility particle sizer (ES-SMPS) method and compared with an average particle size determined from dynamic light scattering (DLS). The average particle sizes obtained by the DLS and ES-SMPS methods were in good agreement, while a primary particle size of 4 nm was found in X-ray diffraction irrespective of the particle size in solution. Early stages of the nucleation process were monitored by the ES-SMPS method. These results show that small particles of 4–5 nm are initially formed and it is highly likely that large particles are formed due to aggregation of primary particles.
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| 6. |
- Ahlberg, Karin, 1965, et al.
(author)
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Assessment and management of cancer-related fatigue in adults.
- 2003
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In: Lancet. - 1474-547X. ; 362:9384, s. 640-50
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fatigue is one of the most prevalent and distressing symptoms of cancer, and is a common side-effect of many of the treatments available for the management of malignant disease. We critically assess the evidence for cancer-related fatigue and its treatment in adults. Little is known about the cause and mechanisms of fatigue, and research into methods of alleviating the condition has focused on treatment for anaemia and behavioural interventions, such as exercise, both of which are effective in reducing fatigue. Although research into the condition has increased considerably in the past decade, important gaps in knowledge remain.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Ahlberg, Karin, 1965
(author)
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Cancer-related fatigue. Experience and outcomes
- 2004
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common and distressing symptoms in cancer patients and it may interfere with everyday aspects of life. Despite the recent significant increase in the literature on CRF it is nevertheless understudied, and several important questions involving experience, aetiology, assessment and interventions remain unanswered. The primary aim of this thesis was to advance the science of cancer-related fatigue and extend prior work by describing CRF over time and the relationship of fatigue to health-related quality of life in patients with uterine cancer who are receiving radiotherapy. Secondary aims were 1) to gain an understanding of the relationships between fatigue, other symptoms and selected physiological mechanisms associated with fatigue, and 2) to identify predictors of fatigue. The Conceptual Model of Symptom Management (Larson et al 1994; Dodd et al 2001) constituted the major theoretical framework for this dissertation. Both quantitative and qualitative methods have been used. In the qualitative study 15 respondents were included before data saturation was achieved. The data collection and data analysis took place in one simultaneous process in accordance with Grounded Theory. In the quantitative studies 60 patients with uterine cancer who were going to receive treatment with radiotherapy were included. Data was collected before start of radiotherapy, during radiotherapy and after completed radiotherapy mainly through self-rating instruments. The quantitative data was analysed with descriptive and non-parametric statistical methods.The results of the studies indicated that fatigue is an experience of the whole person. The patients had a low level of experienced fatigue before starting radiotherapy. The fatigue level increased significantly during the course of radiation therapy and after completed treatment. During the period of treatment, between 77 and 89% experienced fatigue. Other symptoms (loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, diarrhoea, pain) also increased significantly during treatment and the increases were significantly correlated with general fatigue. The patients psychological distress (anxiety, depression) was low before start of treatment. Although the scores for depression had increased significantly after completed therapy, the levels were still within normal limits. The levels of coping resources, here defined as sense of coherence, were stable throughout the studies. The patients health-related quality of life was high before start of treatment. The scores for global quality of life and social function decreased significantly over time. There was a significant relationship between general fatigue and global quality of life over time when measured at baseline, after 3 weeks of therapy, and after completed therapy. There was also a significant correlation over time between general fatigue and physical function, role function and cognitive function. There was no significant correlation between general fatigue and IL-1, TNF-alpha or haemoglobin. There was a significant negative correlation between the change in IL-6 and general fatigue.The variation in the level of general fatigue after completed therapy was explained mainly by the level of experienced general fatigue at baseline. The knowledge obtained in this thesis should lead to better understanding of the cancer-related fatigue experience, including influencing variables, responses and outcomes, in women with uterine cancer who are receiving radiotherapy. Nursing interventions to help patients with CRF may include careful assessment, identification of patients at risk, and management of problems before the initiation of therapy.
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| 9. |
- Ahlberg, Karin, 1965, et al.
(author)
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Fatigue, psychological distress, coping and quality of life in patients with uterine cancer.
- 2004
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In: Journal of advanced nursing. - 0309-2402. ; 45:2, s. 205-13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a subjectively experienced symptom that is multidimensional and multifactorial. Patients with cancer have identified fatigue as one of the major troubling symptoms and the primary cause of distress in their lives. AIMS: The major aim of the study was to examine how patients diagnosed with uterine cancer describe their experience of fatigue, psychological distress, coping resources and quality of life. A secondary aim was to describe the relationship between selected variables. METHOD: A descriptive and correlational design was used and the study was conducted at a university hospital in Sweden. The study population consisted of women, diagnosed with uterine cancer, who where scheduled to receive curative external radiation therapy. Sixty women participated in the study and data were collected through self-report instruments. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from patient records. The data were collected during year 2000-2002. The Conceptual Model of Symptom Management was used as a framework to guide the study. FINDINGS: Patients experienced a low grade of fatigue and psychological distress, but their functional status and global quality of life was high. Significant correlations were found between general fatigue and anxiety and also between general fatigue and depression. There was a significant negative correlation between general fatigue and coping resources. Depression explained 44% of the variance in general fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide knowledge about predictors of CRF in women with uterine cancer, and can serve as a basis for future longitudinal studies in which different prophylactic strategies against therapy-related fatigue are prospectively studied.
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| 10. |
- Ahlberg, Karin, 1965, et al.
(author)
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Fatigue, psychological distress, coping resources, and functional status during radiotherapy for uterine cancer.
- 2005
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In: Oncology nursing forum. - 1538-0688. ; 32:3, s. 633-40
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how patients diagnosed with uterine cancer experience fatigue, psychological distress, coping resources, and functional status before, during, and after treatment with radiation therapy and to study whether significant correlations exist among these variables. DESIGN: Longitudinal, descriptive, and correlational. SETTING: The Department of Oncology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. SAMPLE: 60 women diagnosed with uterine cancer who were receiving curative external radiation therapy. Typical participants were 64 years old, married, and on sick leave or retired from work. METHODS: Data were collected through self-report instruments. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from the patients' records. Main Research Variables: Cancer-related fatigue, psychological distress, coping resources, and functional status. FINDINGS: Patients' fatigue scores increased significantly during and after completion of radiotherapy. The participants reported normal levels of anxiety and depression, and their coping resources changed over time. After completing therapy, all dimensions of function had decreased; for social function, the decrease was significant. The correlation over time was significant among fatigue and physical function, role function, and cognitive function. The variation of the change in fatigue after therapy was completed was explained only by the level of fatigue experienced at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue is a symptom that increases in connection with radiotherapy. Functional status is influenced by the variation in fatigue levels. Fatigue level before treatment may be an important variable when trying to find a risk factor for the development of fatigue over the course of treatment. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses must inform patients receiving radiotherapy about the expected changes in fatigue and functional status. Pretreatment screening for fatigue is needed to identify patients at risk for developing fatigue.
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