Coping Strategies and Associated Symptom Burden Among Patients With Advanced Cancer.

Background: Few studies examine how patients with advanced cancer cope with stress. The objective of our study was to evaluate coping strategies adopted by patients with cancer and their relationship with symptom burden.

Methods: A secondary data analysis of a prospective cross-sectional survey of patients with cancer and tobacco use was conducted, which examined demographics, symptom burden (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System), and coping strategies (the Brief COPE Questionnaire).

End-of-Life Care, Symptom Burden, and Quality of Life in Couples Facing Stage IV Lung Cancer: The Role of Patient and Spousal Psychospirituality and Discussions Around Fear of Death and Disease Progression.

As patients live longer with stage IV nonsmall cell lung cancer, correlates of end-of-life (EOL) care and experience are increasingly relevant. We, therefore, prospectively examined associations among psychospirituality (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being), discussions around fear of death and disease progression, and hospital-based EOL care in patients and caregivers. Patients additionally reported symptom burden (MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Lung Cancer total) and quality of life (QOL) (quality-of-life at EOL).

Treating Radiation Anxiety With Systematic Desensitization: Head and Neck Cancer Case Reports.

Head and neck cancer patients have high rates of psychological distress, which may be exacerbated by the treatments they receive. Many patients who undergo radiation therapy report significant anxiety associated with the thermoplastic mask required for immobilization during treatment. This report presents two examples of head and neck cancer patients reporting high mask anxiety, along with a history of claustrophobia, who expressed concern about their abilities to initiate and adhere to treatment.

Treatment of Cancer-related-Fatigue in Acute Hematological Malignancies: Results of a Feasibility Study of using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Background: Despite cancer related fatigue (CRF) being the most common, and debilitating symptom in patients with recently diagnosed acute hematological malignancies (HM), there are limited effective treatments for CRF in HM. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for CRF in HM.

Methods: In this preliminary longitudinal prospective study, HM patients diagnosed a median of one month previously with moderate to severe fatigue were enrolled.

Physical and Psychosocial Symptoms of Young Adult Patients Referred to the Supportive Care Mobile Team.

Young adult (YA) aged cancer patients have unique psychosocial needs with studies indicating more symptoms and emotional distress compared to older patients. Our study aimed to compare clinical characteristics and symptom distress between YAs and older adults. We retrospectively studied 896 randomly selected patients across 3 age groups: 18-39 YAs ( = 297), 40-64 ( = 300), and 65 and older ( = 299).

Social isolation at the end of life: A case report of one person's journey navigating the medical landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: In addition to physical symptom burden, psychological suffering at end of life (EOL) is quite pervasive. As such, the interdisciplinary team in our Palliative and Supportive Care Unit strives to provide quality care sensitive to the physical and psychosocial needs of patients. Involving and allowing for the presence of family members is one way in which we afford our patients some additional comfort.

Healthy Moves to Improve Lifestyle Behaviors of Cancer Survivors and Their Spouses: Feasibility and Preliminary Results of Intervention Efficacy.

Spouses offer a primary source of support and may provide critical assistance for behavior change. A diet-exercise intervention previously found efficacious in improving cancer survivors' lifestyle behaviors was adapted to utilize a couples-based approach. The aims were to test the feasibility of this couples-based (CB) intervention and compare its efficacy to the same program delivered to the survivor-only (SO).

A Mindfulness-Based Intervention as a Supportive Care Strategy for Patients with Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Their Spouses: Results of a Three-Arm Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Although mindfulness-based interventions have been widely examined in patients with nonmetastatic cancer, the feasibility and efficacy of these types of programs are largely unknown for those with advanced disease. We pilot-tested a couple-based meditation (CBM) relative to a supportive-expressive (SE) and a usual care (UC) arm targeting psychospiritual distress in patients with metastatic lung cancer and their spousal caregivers.

Patients And Methods: Seventy-five patient-caregiver dyads completed baseline self-report measures and were then randomized to one of the three arms.

Feasibility and efficacy of a weight gain prevention intervention for breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Purpose: Weight gain is common among breast cancer patients and may contribute to poorer treatment outcomes. Most programs target breast cancer survivors after the completion of therapy and focus on weight reduction. This study examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an intervention designed to prevent primary weight gain among women receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Sleep disturbance in patients with cancer: a feasibility study of multimodal therapy.

Background: Our aim was to determine feasibility and effect sizes of bright light therapy (BLT), melatonin (MLT), methylphenidate (MP) and eight combinations (BLT+MLT+MP, BLT+MLT, BLT+MP, BLT alone, MLT+MP, MLT alone, MP alone, placebo for BLT, MLT and MP) defined as multimodal therapy (MMT), to improve sleep quality (SQ) (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)) from baseline to day 15. We also examined the effects of MMT on insomnia, fatigue, depression, quality of life and actigraphy.

Methods: Patients with advanced cancer with poor SQ (PSQI ≥5) were eligible.

Impact of the mental health and dynamic referral for oncology (MHADRO) program on oncology patient outcomes, health care utilization, and health provider behaviors: A multi-site randomized control trial.

Objective: The MHADRO assesses psychosocial and medical needs, provides tailored feedback reports, and connects patients to mental health providers. This study examined the MHADRO's effect on patient outcomes, health care utilization, and oncology provider documentation and behaviors.

Methods: 836 patients were part of a multi-site RCT and assessments were conducted at baseline, 2, 6 and 12 months.

Enhancing palliative care patient access to psychological counseling through outreach telehealth services.

Context: Palliative care encompasses an interdisciplinary team, including mental health care professionals, to address psychological distress of cancer patients.

Objectives: To present the implementation of an outreach counseling program via videoconferencing or telephone to patients receiving care in an outpatient palliative care clinic and to compare patients using this service to those who only received psychological counseling in our outpatient clinic.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of cancer patients seen for psychology counseling services in an outpatient supportive care center between June 2015 and March 2017.

Introducing psychology services to advanced cancer patients: A randomized double-blind trial.

Context: Psychology services utilization in cancer patients remains low due to barriers such as patient/caregiver acceptance of counseling.

Objective: We aimed to determine if the manner of introducing psychology services impacted patients' acceptance of services and to identify factors associated with acceptance and barriers to psychology utilization.

Methods: In this double-blind randomized cross-over trial, cancer patients with no prior psychology services observed two video vignettes: (a) physician introducing counselor and psychology services to the patient (PI) and (b) counselor introducing psychology services alone (CI).

Change in physical activity and quality of life in endometrial cancer survivors receiving a physical activity intervention.

Background: Endometrial cancer survivors are at an increased risk of poor quality of life outcomes. Physical activity is positively associated with general quality of life in this population, however, little is known about how changes in physical activity may be associated with changes in specific aspects of quality of life. The aim of this secondary data analysis was to explore the relationships between change in physical activity and change in physical, mental, social, and other aspects of quality of life in endometrial cancer survivors receiving a physical activity intervention.

Dyadic yoga program for patients undergoing thoracic radiotherapy and their family caregivers: Results of a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) may result in toxicities that are associated with performance declines and poor quality of life (QOL) for patients and their family caregivers. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to establish feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a dyadic yoga (DY) intervention as a supportive care strategy.

Methods: Patients with stage I to III non-small cell lung or esophageal cancer undergoing TRT and their caregivers (N = 26 dyads) were randomized to a 15-session DY or a waitlist control (WLC) group.

Association between tobacco use, pain expression, and coping strategies among patients with advanced cancer.

Background: The objective of the current study was to evaluate the association between tobacco use, symptom expression, and coping strategies in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods: The authors prospectively enrolled patients with advanced cancer and collected data regarding patient demographics, cancer diagnosis, morphine equivalent daily dose, cigarette smoking status using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, symptom expression as measured by the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, the Cut down/Annoyed/Guilty/Eye opener alcoholism questionnaire, the Screener and Opioid Assessment for Patients with Pain-short form survey, and the Brief COPE Questionnaire.

Results: Among 399 patients, 195 (49%) were never-smokers, 158 (40%) were former smokers, and 46 (11%) were current smokers.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Psychology Referrals in a Palliative Care Department.

Context: Psychologists can provide unique contributions to interdisciplinary palliative care. Despite research indicating high distress in palliative care cancer patients, little has been reported regarding the feasibility and practice of psychology in this setting.

Objectives: To review the integration of clinical psychology practice in a palliative care department at a major comprehensive cancer center.

SurvivorCHESS to increase physical activity in colon cancer survivors: can we get them moving?

Purpose: This randomized controlled trial evaluated the impact of SurvivorCHESS, an eHealth intervention, on physical activity in colon cancer survivors and to explore the impact of SurvivorCHESS on quality of life and distress.

Methods: This was a two-arm single-blinded multi-site randomized controlled trial comparing a control group to an intervention group receiving a smartphone with the SurvivorCHESS program.

Results: Participants using SurvivorCHESS (n = 144) increased their moderate to vigorous physical activities from 19.

Comparison of Internet and Telephone Interventions for Weight Loss Among Cancer Survivors: Randomized Controlled Trial and Feasibility Study.

Background: Weight loss interventions have been successfully delivered via several modalities, but recent research has focused on more disseminable and sustainable means such as telephone- or Internet-based platforms.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare an Internet-delivered weight loss intervention to a comparable telephone-delivered weight loss intervention.

Methods: This randomized pilot study examined the effects of 6-month telephone- and Internet-delivered social cognitive theory-based weight loss interventions among 37 cancer survivors.

Randomized Trial of a Lifestyle Physical Activity Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors: Effects on Transtheoretical Model Variables.

This study examined whether a physical activity intervention affects transtheoretical model (TTM) variables that facilitate exercise adoption in breast cancer survivors. Sixty sedentary breast cancer survivors were randomized to a 6-month lifestyle physical activity intervention or standard care. TTM variables that have been shown to facilitate exercise adoption and progress through the stages of change, including self-efficacy, decisional balance, and processes of change, were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months.

Comparison of four brief depression screening instruments in ovarian cancer patients: Diagnostic accuracy using traditional versus alternative cutpoints.

Objectives: We compared the diagnostic accuracy of 4 depression screening scales, using traditional and alternative scoring methods, to the gold standard Structured Clinical Interview-DSM IV major depressive episode (MDE) in ovarian cancer patients on active treatment.

Methods: At the beginning of a new chemotherapy regimen, ovarian cancer patients completed the following surveys on the same day: the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Beck Depression Inventory Fast-Screen for Primary Care (BDI-FastScreen), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and a 1-item screener ("Are you depressed?"). Each instrument's sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value were calculated with respect to major depression.

The Advance Care Planning Readiness Scale: Development and Validation of a Measure of Willingness to Discuss and Acceptance of End-of-Life Care in Gynecologic Cancer Patients.

Objective: The objective of this article was to develop and validate a scale that assesses the readiness of gynecologic oncology patients to engage in advance care planning.

Methods: The Advance Care Planning Readiness Scale (ACPRS) was validated across 3 independent samples of gynecologic oncology patients. In step I, patients underwent cognitive interviewing to determine if the scale items were comprehensible and applicable to patients.

A Comprehensive Lifestyle Randomized Clinical Trial: Design and Initial Patient Experience.

Background: Although epidemiological research demonstrates that there is an association between lifestyle factors and risk of breast cancer recurrence, progression of disease, and mortality, no comprehensive lifestyle change clinical trials have been conducted to determine if changing multiple risk factors leads to changes in biobehavioral processes and clinical outcomes in women with breast cancer. This article describes the design, feasibility, adherence to the intervention and data collection, and patient experience of a comprehensive lifestyle change clinical trial (CompLife).

Methods: CompLife is a randomized, controlled trial of a multiple-behavior intervention focusing on diet, exercise, and mind-body practice along with behavioral counseling to support change.

Sexual health of endometrial cancer survivors before and after a physical activity intervention: A retrospective cohort analysis.

Objective: Sexual dysfunction is common in endometrial cancer survivors (ECS). Our group previously tested a six-month exercise intervention in ECS. We performed a secondary analysis to determine intervention's impact on sexual health.

Natural language use and couples' adjustment to head and neck cancer.

Objective: This multimethod prospective study examined whether emotional disclosure and coping focus as conveyed through natural language use are associated with the psychological and marital adjustment of head and neck cancer patients and their spouses.

Method: One-hundred twenty-three patients (85% men; age X¯ = 56.8 years, SD = 10.