A Longitudinal Study of Adherence among Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Associations with Gratitude Over the Course of One Year.

Background: Daily airway clearance therapy (ACT) is a critical aspect of treatment in cystic fibrosis (CF), but poor adherence is a prominent concern. Identifying factors that might enhance or diminish adherence is a priority for treatment centers. Gratitude, a generalized tendency to notice and appreciate positive facets of experience, is a psychosocial resource that has commanded growing research interest.

Spiritual well-being, distress and quality of life in Hispanic women diagnosed with cancer undergoing treatment with chemotherapy.

Objective: Previous studies have examined whether spiritual well-being is associated with cancer outcomes, but minority populations are under-represented. This study examines associations of baseline spiritual well-being and change in spiritual well-being with change in distress and quality of life, and explores potential factors associated with changes in spiritual well-being among Hispanic women undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: Participants completed measures examining spiritual well-being, distress, and quality of life prior to beginning chemotherapy and at weeks 7 and 13.

Reading Chekhov on the Cancer Ward.

Background: Studies have shown that nonmedical reading is associated with low burnout and that small group study sections can promote wellness. Burnout and other psychosocial distress are common among health care professionals, necessitating additional measures to promote well-being. The field of narrative medicine is one proposed solution.

Adjustment to the COVID-19 pandemic: associations with global and situational meaning.

COVID-19 has created pervasive upheaval and uncertainty in communities around the world. This investigation evaluated associations between discrete dimensions of personal meaning and psychological adjustment to the pandemic among community residents in a southern US state. In this cross-sectional study, 544 respondents were assessed during a period of reopening but accelerating infection rates.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of effects of psychosocial interventions on spiritual well-being in adults with cancer.

Objective: Spiritual well-being (SpWb) is an important dimension of health-related quality of life for many cancer patients. Accordingly, an increasing number of psychosocial intervention studies have included SpWb as a study endpoint, and may improve SpWb even if not designed explicitly to do so. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated effects of psychosocial interventions on SpWb in adults with cancer and tested potential moderators of intervention effects.

Methodological approach for determining the Minimal Important Difference and Minimal Important Change scores for the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-HN43) exemplified by the Swallowing scale.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore what methods should be used to determine the minimal important difference (MID) and minimal important change (MIC) in scores for the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck Cancer Module, the EORTC QLQ-HN43.

Methods: In an international multi-centre study, patients with head and neck cancer completed the EORTC QLQ-HN43 before the onset of treatment (t1), three months after baseline (t2), and six months after baseline (t3). The methods explored for determining the MID were: (1) group comparisons based on performance status; (2) 0.

Anxiety, depressive, and trauma symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evaluating the role of disappointment with God.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to pervasive social and economic disruptions. This cross-sectional investigation aimed to evaluate associations between religious/spiritual factors and mental health symptoms among community residents in a southern US state. In particular, we focused on perceptions of God's distance, a salient aspect of religious/spiritual struggle that has received little scrutiny in health research.

Associations Between Religious/Spiritual Coping and Depression Among Adults with Cystic Fibrosis: A 12-Month Longitudinal Study.

Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) face a challenging disease, and depression is a significant concern. Many patients draw on religious/spiritual resources to assist them in managing the demands of chronic illness; however, these coping efforts rarely have been evaluated among adults with CF. This longitudinal study examined relationships between distinct types of positive and negative religious/spiritual coping at baseline (assessed with the RCOPE) and depression screening outcomes 12 month later (assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale).

Mental health outcomes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic: Prevalence and risk factors in a southern US state.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic effect on the functioning of individuals and institutions around the world. This cross-sectional registry-based study examined some of the burdens of the pandemic, the prevalence of mental health difficulties, and risk factors for psychosocial morbidity among community residents in Arkansas. The study focused on a period of gradual reopening but rising infection rates.

Longitudinal associations between gratitude and depression 1 year later among adult cystic fibrosis patients.

Individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) are confronted by a range of difficult physical and psychosocial sequelae. Gratitude has drawn growing attention as a psychosocial resource, but it has yet to be examined among adults with CF. The current investigation evaluated longitudinal associations between trait gratitude and subsequent outcomes from depression screening 12 months later, adjusting for disease severity (FEV% predicted) and other significant clinical or demographic covariates.

Effects of psychosocial interventions on meaning and purpose in adults with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Meaning and purpose in life are associated with the mental and physical health of patients with cancer and survivors and also constitute highly valued outcomes in themselves. Because meaning and purpose are often threatened by a cancer diagnosis and treatment, interventions have been developed to promote meaning and purpose. The present meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated effects of psychosocial interventions on meaning/purpose in adults with cancer and tested potential moderators of intervention effects.

Persistent Adherence to Airway Clearance Therapy in Adults With Cystic Fibrosis.

Background: Airway clearance therapy (ACT) is a core component of daily treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF). However, surprisingly little is known about sustained or persistent use of ACT over time among adults with CF. This longitudinal study examined persistent adherence to ACT over 12 months and its modifiable predictors, drawing on aspects of Social Cognitive Theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior.

International validation of the revised European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Head and Neck Cancer Module, the EORTC QLQ-HN43: Phase IV.

Background: We validated the new European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Head and Neck Module (EORTC QLQ-HN43).

Methods: We enrolled 812 patients with head and neck cancer from 18 countries. Group 1 completed the questionnaire before therapy, and 3 and 6 months later.

Religion, spirituality, and physical health in cancer patients: A meta-analysis.

Although religion/spirituality (R/S) is important in its own right for many cancer patients, a large body of research has examined whether R/S is also associated with better physical health outcomes. This literature has been characterized by heterogeneity in sample composition, measures of R/S, and measures of physical health. In an effort to synthesize previous findings, a meta-analysis of the relation between R/S and patient-reported physical health in cancer patients was performed.

A meta-analytic review of religious or spiritual involvement and social health among cancer patients.

Religion and spirituality (R/S) play an important role in the daily lives of many cancer patients. There has been great interest in determining whether R/S factors are related to clinically relevant health outcomes. In this meta-analytic review, the authors examined associations between dimensions of R/S and social health (eg, social roles and relationships).

A meta-analytic approach to examining the correlation between religion/spirituality and mental health in cancer.

Religion and spirituality (R/S) are patient-centered factors and often are resources for managing the emotional sequelae of the cancer experience. Studies investigating the correlation between R/S (eg, beliefs, experiences, coping) and mental health (eg, depression, anxiety, well being) in cancer have used very heterogeneous measures and have produced correspondingly inconsistent results. A meaningful synthesis of these findings has been lacking; thus, the objective of this review was to conduct a meta-analysis of the research on R/S and mental health.

Religion, spirituality, and health outcomes in cancer: A case for a meta-analytic investigation.

A growing body of research shows that a majority of patients with cancer report having religious and spiritual (R/S) beliefs, engaging in R/S behaviors, or deriving comfort from R/S experiences. These studies have been reviewed but not subjected to rigorous critical analysis. A meta-analytic approach is needed to provide a more definitive understanding of the relationships between R/S (affective, behavioral, and cognitive dimensions) and physical, mental, and social health in all phases of cancer including diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and palliative care.

Measuring quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer: Update of the EORTC QLQ-H&N Module, Phase III.

Background: The objective of this study was to pilot test an updated version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Head and Neck Module (EORTC QLQ-H&N60).

Methods: Patients with head and neck cancer were asked to complete a list of 60 head and neck cancer-specific items comprising the updated EORTC head and neck module and the core questionnaire EORTC QLQ-C30. Debriefing interviews were conducted to identify any irrelevant items and confusing or upsetting wording.

Quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer receiving targeted or multimodal therapy--update of the EORTC QLQ-H&N35, Phase I.

Background: The objective of this study was to identify relevant quality of life (QOL) issues in patients with head and neck cancer receiving multimodal and/or targeted therapies.

Methods: The literature was searched for QOL issues reported after multimodal and/or targeted therapies resulting in a list of potentially relevant issues. These were discussed within a multiprofessional expert group, revised, and subsequently rated for relevance by patients and health care providers.

Effects of personal meaning among patients in primary and specialized care: associations with psychosocial and physical outcomes.

Personal meaning is thought to serve as an important resource among individuals adapting to the demands of illness. However, some work in this area has been marked by vague conceptualization, or use of assessment instruments that are confounded by well-being. This investigation evaluated relationships between psychosocial and physical outcomes and one theoretically important dimension of attained global meaning - perceptions of life purpose and commitment.

Sleep across chemotherapy treatment: a growing concern for women older than 50 with breast cancer.

Purpose/objectives: To conduct a metasynthesis of human sleep studies that included women aged 50 years and older with breast cancer across chemotherapy treatment.

Data Sources: English publications were searched with the terms sleep and breast cancer via Ovid, PubMed, and EBSCO-host databases. Human studies that used sleep-specific instruments published from January 1974-May 2009 were included.