Associations between hair cortisol and blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Stress is widely considered to be a risk factor for high blood pressure (BP), but evidence on the associations between biomarkers of chronic stress and BP is inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the current state of the science on relationships between measures of cortisol concentration reflecting chronic stress exposure [hair cortisol concentration (HCC), nail cortisol concentration)] and BP.

Methods: PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched.

Effects of a Web-Based Pediatric Oncology Legacy Intervention on the Coping of Children With Cancer.

Background: Recurrent or refractory cancer often results in substantial and extensive physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual burdens for children and their families. However, the therapeutic benefits of legacy interventions in children with recurrent or refractory cancer have been examined only recently, with limited attention to specific effects on children's coping abilities.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a digital storytelling-legacy intervention on the adaptive coping of children with recurrent or refractory cancer.

The Added Value of Family Caregivers' Level of Mastery in Predicting Survival of Glioblastoma Patients: A Validation Study.

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor. Patients commonly rely on family caregivers for physical and emotional support. We previously demonstrated that caregiver mastery measured shortly after diagnosis was predictive of GBM patient survival, corrected for known predictors of survival (n = 88).

Factors affecting medication beliefs among patients newly prescribed oral oncolytic agents.

Background: Prescribing oral oncolytic agents (OAs) for advanced cancers is increasing.

Aims: To explore changes in medication beliefs and the effects of symptom severity, cognitive effectiveness and depressive symptoms on medication beliefs over 12 weeks.

Methods: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial, testing an intervention to promote symptom management and adherence [N = 230].

Satisfaction With an Interactive Voice Response System and Symptom Management Toolkit Intervention to Improve Adherence in Patients Prescribed an Oral Anticancer Agent.

Objectives: To describe patient satisfaction with an interactive voice response (IVR) system to assess adherence and symptom management in patients newly prescribed an oral anticancer agent (OAA).

Sample & Setting: Patients prescribed a new OAA were recruited from six comprehensive cancer centers in the United States.

Methods & Variables: Cross-sectional analysis and descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient demographics and satisfaction with the IVR system and symptom management toolkit.

Patient Engagement With an Automated Telephone Symptom Management Intervention: Predictors and Outcomes.

Background: Self-management of symptoms related to cancer and its treatment is important for maintaining treatment regimens and improving outcomes.

Purpose: To determine factors associated with engagement in a symptom self-management intervention among patients initiating oral anticancer treatment.

Methods: This secondary analysis included 127 patients randomized to the medication adherence reminder and symptom management intervention in a recently completed trial.

How adverse events and permanent medication stoppages affect changes in patients' beliefs about oral antineoplastic agents.

Background: Patients with advanced cancer often experience adverse events related to oral antineoplastic agents (OAAs) and permanent OAA medication stoppages, yet it is unknown how these factors impact medication beliefs. Such beliefs about OAA therapy may lend insight into decisions about continued cancer treatment near the end of life.

Purpose: To explore relationships that adverse events and permanent OAA stoppages have on medication beliefs during the first 12 weeks following new OAA initiation.

Safety of Care by Caregivers of Cancer Patients.

Objectives: To describe common areas of threats to patient safety and quality of care when caregivers provide care. Recommendations for caregivers to enable them to provide safe care are included.

Data Sources: Research-based articles and reports.

Conceptualisation of medication beliefs among patients with advanced cancer receiving oral oncolytic agents using a theory derivation approach.

Objective: This paper describes a derived model that provides a conceptual framework for understanding medication beliefs among patients with advanced cancer receiving oral oncolytic agents.

Methods: Theory derivation was used to (a) examine the phenomenon of medication beliefs in cross-disciplinary research; (b) select a parent theory for derivation; (c) identify parent theory concepts and/or structure to use in derivation; and (d) redefine parent theory concepts and structure to create a derived model.

Results: Medication beliefs are shaped by previous experiences, including cognitive and emotional factors, past health and illness encounters, and medication-taking behaviours.

Maximizing New Technologies to Treat Depression.

In an era of rapid technological evolution, mental healthcare providers are tapping into technology that offers feasible and effective alternatives to reach patients who suffer from depression. This paper provides a brief history and description of current technologies, frequently used taxonomies, and specific applications for the assessment and treatment of depression. These include online healthcare communities and social media, automated screening, wearable technology, and virtual reality therapy.

Latent Transition Analysis of the Symptom Experience of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.

Background: Symptom clusters reflect the person's experience of multiple cooccurring symptoms. Although a variety of statistical methods are available to address the clustering of symptoms, latent transition analysis (LTA) characterizes patient membership in classes defined by the symptom experience and captures changes in class membership over time.

Objectives: The purposes of this article are to demonstrate the application of LTA to cancer symptom data and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of LTA relative to other methods of managing and interpreting data on multiple symptoms.

Effects of depressive symptomatology on cancer-related symptoms during oral oncolytic treatment.

Objective: This manuscript assesses association between depressive symptoms and symptoms from cancer and its treatment during the first 12 weeks of a new oral oncolytic treatment.

Methods: This secondary analysis used data from a recently completed trial of an intervention to improve adherence to oral oncolytic treatment and manage symptoms. Following the initiation of the new oral oncolytic medication, 272 patients were interviewed at intake and weeks 4, 8, and 12 to assess depressive symptoms, and symptoms from cancer and its treatment.

Challenges to the design and testing supportive interventions for cancer patients treated with oral oncolytic agents.

Conducting research into supportive care for patients as they initiate treatment with oral oncolytic agents poses numerous new challenges. Some of these medications have very complex dosing schedules and produce symptoms that patients need to manage at home with less reliance on oncology clinicians. We describe lessons learned from a multi-site trial designed to improve adherence to these medications and self-management of symptoms among patients newly prescribed oral oncolytic agents.

Impact of Oral Anticancer Medication From a Family Caregiver Perspective.

Purpose: To describe how family caregivers of patients receiving oral anticancer medication (OAM) may affect family caregivers' lives and determine what support caregivers need to manage OAM in the home successfully.

Participants & Setting: Family caregivers of individuals with cancer prescribed OAM recruited from oncology clinics in the Midwest region of the United States.

Methodologic Approach: Focus group methodology was used to elicit caregivers' perspectives.

An Automated Intervention Did Not Improve Adherence to Oral Oncolytic Agents While Managing Symptoms: Results From a Two-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial.

Context: An increasing number of oral cancer treatments require patient adherence and symptom self-management.

Objectives: The report presents the effects of a medication reminder and symptom management intervention directed at patients initiating new oral oncolytic agents.

Methods: Patients (N = 272) were recruited at six comprehensive cancer centers, interviewed over the telephone after oral agent initiation, and randomized to either standard care or a medication reminder and symptom management intervention.

Factors Associated With Medication Beliefs in Patients With Cancer: An Integrative Review.

Problem Identification: Medication beliefs are linked to medication adherence in cancer treatment. Oral cancer treatments are increasing, making patients responsible for self-managing medication at home.

Literature Search: A literature search was performed using CINAHL®, PubMed, and PsycINFO.

Do treatment patterns alter beliefs cancer patients hold regarding oral oncolytic agents?

Objective: Cancer patients, particularly those prescribed with oral oncolytic medications, face treatment side effects and temporary and permanent stoppages of treatment. This research examines how events during treatment affect patients' beliefs regarding oral oncolytic medications.

Methods: A total of 272 cancer patients initiating 1 of 28 oral oncolytic agents were followed for 12 weeks.

Medication Burden of Treatment Using Oral Cancer Medications.

Objective: With the changes in healthcare, patients with cancer now have to assume greater responsibility for their own care. Oral cancer medications with complex regimens are now a part of cancer treatment. Patients have to manage these along with the management of medications for their other chronic illnesses.

A systematic review of psychosocial interventions for colorectal cancer patients.

Purpose: A significant minority of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients experience clinically meaningful distress that may warrant intervention. The goal of this systematic review was to assess the impact of psychosocial interventions on quality-of-life and psychosocial outcomes for CRC patients.

Methods: A systematic search of CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and PsycARTICLES was undertaken to obtain relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published through October 2016.

Care of the Elderly Patient on Oral Oncolytics for Advanced Disease.

Oral oncolytics are now a common component of cancer care for older individuals with advanced cancer when a new treatment regimen is needed. Many of the solid tumors in elderly patients may respond to the oral oncolytics, however not without side effects and challenges to maintain adherence. This article describes some of the important areas to be considered when oral oncolytics are prescribed for elderly patients.

Mental health outcomes during colorectal cancer survivorship: a review of the literature.

Objective: This article reviews literature on adults' mental health outcomes during acute and long-term colorectal cancer (CRC) survivorship.

Methods: We identified articles that included at least one measure of psychological symptoms or mental quality of life or well-being through a search of databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and PsycARTICLES). Articles were published between January 2004 and April 2015.

Family caregivers' level of mastery predicts survival of patients with glioblastoma: A preliminary report.

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is associated with a poor prognosis, and patients rely heavily on family caregivers for physical and emotional support. The capability and mental health of family caregivers may influence their ability to provide care and affect patient outcomes. The objective of the current study was to investigate whether caregivers' anxiety, depressive symptoms, burden, and mastery influenced survival in a sample of patients newly diagnosed with GBM.