Randomized clinical trial of a brief and extensive dyadic intervention for advanced cancer patients and their family caregivers.

Background: Few intervention programs assist patients and their family caregivers to manage advanced cancer and maintain their quality of life (QOL). This study examined (i) whether patient-caregiver dyads (i.e.

Study of dyadic communication in couples managing prostate cancer: a longitudinal perspective.

Objective: Cancer patients and partners often report inadequate communication about illness-related issues, although it is essential for mutual support and informal caregiving. This study examined the patterns of change in dyadic communication between patients with prostate cancer and their partners, and also determined if certain factors affected their communication over time.

Method: Using multilevel modeling, this study analyzed longitudinal data obtained from a randomized clinical trial with prostate cancer patients and their partners, to examine their communication over time.

Assessing longitudinal quality of life in prostate cancer patients and their spouses: a multilevel modeling approach.

Purpose: This study aimed at examining the relationship between quality of life (QOL) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients and partners and how baseline demographics, cancer-related factors, and time-varying psychosocial and symptom covariates affect their QOL over time.

Methods: Guided by a modified Stress-Coping Model, this study used multilevel modeling to analyze longitudinal data from a randomized clinical trial that tested a family-based intervention to improve QOL in couples managing PCa. Patients and partners from the usual-care control group (N = 134 dyads) independently completed the measurements at baseline, and at 4-, 8-, and 12-month follow-ups.

Interventions with family caregivers of cancer patients: meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Family caregivers of cancer patients receive little preparation, information, or support to perform their caregiving role. However, their psychosocial needs must be addressed so they can maintain their own health and provide the best possible care to the patient. The purpose of this article is to analyze the types of interventions offered to family caregivers of cancer patients, and to determine the effect of these interventions on various caregiver outcomes.

Longitudinal analysis of a model to predict quality of life in prostate cancer patients and their spouses.

Background/purpose: This study examined a stress-coping model to assess whether baseline antecedent variables predicted subsequent appraisal and how that appraisal predicted coping and quality of life for prostate cancer patients and their spouses.

Methods: In a sample of 121 prostate cancer patient/spouse dyads, we assessed baseline antecedent variables (self-efficacy, current concerns, age, socioeconomic status, social support, communication, symptoms, phase of illness), 4-month follow-up appraisal (negative appraisal, hopelessness, uncertainty), and 8-month follow-up coping and mental and physical quality of life. Patients and spouses were assessed in a single integrated path model using structural equation modeling.

Randomized clinical trial of a family intervention for prostate cancer patients and their spouses.

Background: Few intervention studies have been conducted to help couples manage the effects of prostate cancer and maintain their quality of life. The objective of this study was to determine whether a family-based intervention could improve appraisal variables (appraisal of illness or caregiving, uncertainty, hopelessness), coping resources (coping strategies, self-efficacy, communication), symptom distress, and quality of life in men with prostate cancer and their spouses.

Methods: For this clinical trial, 263 patient-spouse dyads were stratified by research site, phase of illness, and treatment; then, they were randomized to the control group (standard care) or the experimental group (standard care plus a 5-session family intervention).

Living with prostate cancer: patients' and spouses' psychosocial status and quality of life.

Purpose: Despite the high prevalence of prostate cancer, little information is available on the quality of life of men and their spouses during the phases of illness. This study assessed patients' and spouses' quality of life, appraisal of illness, resources, symptoms, and risk for distress across three phases of prostate cancer: newly diagnosed, biochemical recurrence, and advanced.

Patients And Methods: The sample consisted of 263 patient/spouse dyads.

Qualitative analysis of couples' experience with prostate cancer by age cohort.

Prostate cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in men in all adult life stages. Normative developmental tasks of aging combined with disease-related stressors may negatively affect adjustment to prostate cancer and, consequently, affect the quality of life of both the man and his spouse. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of men with prostate cancer and their partners according to their life cycle cohort: 50-64 (late middle age), 65-74 (young-old), and 75-84 (old-old).

Cultural affiliation and mammography screening of Chinese women in an urban county of Michigan.

The aim of this study is to explore the relationship of culturally based attitudes on breast cancer screening behavior of Chinese women currently residing in the United States. This cross-sectional study used a survey instrument that was administered to a consecutive nonprobability sample of 202 Chinese women residing in an urban Michigan county. Mood's strength of cultural affiliation scale (SCAS) was modified for cultural appropriateness prior to being translated into Chinese, back-translated, and pretested prior to use for this study.

The effects of health state, hemoglobin, global symptom distress, mood disturbance, and treatment site on fatigue onset, duration, and distress in patients receiving radiation therapy.

Purpose/objectives: To describe the fatigue experience of patients with cancer receiving radiation therapy and determine to what extent diverse correlates of fatigue affect fatigue onset, duration, and distress.

Design: Descriptive correlational study completed by secondary data analysis.

Sample/setting: Data were obtained from 384 subjects recruited from two urban, university-affiliated, radiation oncology clinics located in a large, Midwestern city.

Evaluation of education materials using Orem's self-care deficit theory.

This article presents Orem's self-care deficit nursing theory as the conceptual framework in the development, design, selection, and evaluation of appropriate written patient education materials for patients with low literacy skills. The model, which includes essential evaluation factors used in literacy research, offers nurses and other professionals a more comprehensive means to judge the suitability of health information and instructional materials. Nurses have a critical role in educating consumers and their families and for providing patients with useful information that will influence their decision-making and participation in care.