Publications by authors named "Joseph Winger"

Objective: To better understand the strategies family caregivers of children with medical complexity (CMC) utilize to deal with the stress and challenges associated with caregiving.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional qualitative study among family caregivers of CMC receiving medical care at a children's hospital in Western Pennsylvania. Participants completed in-depth, semi-structured interviews focused on how CMC family caregivers approach and manage caregiving-related challenges and stress.

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Background: Young adult (YA) cancer survivors are a growing, yet underserved population who often face significant and long-lasting cancer-related physical (e.g., pain, fatigue) and emotional (e.

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Objective: Provide an in-depth and psychometrically rigorous profile of the emotional well-being and sleep-related health of family caregivers of children with medical complexity (CMC).

Methods: Cross-sectional survey study of family caregivers of CMC receiving care from a pediatric complex care center between May 2021 and March 2022. Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Short-Forms (PROMIS-SF) assessed global mental health, emotional distress (anxiety, depression, anger), psychological strengths (self-efficacy, emotional regulation, meaning and purpose), and sleep-related health (fatigue, sleep-related impairment).

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Background: Many patients with advanced cancer describe pain as a debilitating symptom that greatly interferes with daily activities and enjoyment of life. Psychosocial interventions can improve cancer-related pain but rarely address spiritual concerns (e.g.

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Purpose: Overweight and obesity are common for breast cancer survivors and associated with high symptom burden (i.e., pain, fatigue, depressive symptoms).

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Article Synopsis
  • This study investigates the differences in knowledge, misconceptions, and beliefs about palliative care between patients with cancer and those with other chronic diseases.
  • It utilized data from a national survey and found that a significant percentage of respondents from both groups had never heard of palliative care, with chronic condition respondents being less informed.
  • The results highlight the need for educational initiatives to improve understanding of palliative care, especially for underserved populations with chronic illnesses.
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Objective: Research on burnout among physical therapists and occupational therapists in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is limited. Resilience may be important for reducing burnout and promoting well-being among rehabilitation specialists, especially during periods of elevated occupational demand and stress. The purpose of this study was to investigate experiences of burnout, COVID-19 pandemic-related distress, and resilience among physical therapists and occupational therapists during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Pain coping skills training (PCST) is efficacious in patients with cancer, but clinical access is limited. To inform implementation, as a secondary outcome, we estimated the cost-effectiveness of 8 dosing strategies of PCST evaluated in a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial among women with breast cancer and pain (N = 327). Women were randomized to initial doses and re-randomized to subsequent doses based on their initial response (ie, ≥30% pain reduction).

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Article Synopsis
  • The study assessed the feasibility and effects of Meaning-Centered Pain Coping Skills Training (MCPC) for adults with advanced cancer experiencing significant pain, targeting improved well-being through meaning and peace.
  • Sixty participants were randomly assigned to either MCPC plus usual care or usual care alone, receiving four weekly sessions via videoconference or phone, and their progress was measured at multiple intervals.
  • Results showed high completion rates in the MCPC group, with significant improvements in pain severity, pain interference, and pain self-efficacy compared to the control group, indicating MCPC as a promising pain management strategy.
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Behavioral pain management interventions are efficacious for reducing pain in patients with cancer. However, optimal dosing of behavioral pain interventions for pain reduction is unknown, and this hinders routine clinical use. A Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) was used to evaluate whether varying doses of Pain Coping Skills Training (PCST) and response-based dose adaptation can improve pain management in women with breast cancer.

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Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in early to mid-adulthood (≤50 years) are challenged by high symptom burden (i.e., pain, fatigue, distress) and age-related stressors (e.

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Context: Pain is distressing for women with breast cancer. Pain medication may not provide full relief and can have negative side-effects. Cognitive-behavioral pain intervention protocols reduce pain severity and improve self-efficacy for pain management.

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Objective: Develop and pilot test a mobile health (mHealth) cognitive behavioral coping skills training and activity coaching protocol (HCT Symptoms and Steps) for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) patients.

Design: Two-phase, mixed methods study.

Sample: HCT patients and healthcare providers.

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Improved symptom management is a critical although unmet post-treatment need for young adult (YA) cancer survivors (aged 18-39 at diagnosis). This study aimed to develop and refine a behavioral symptom management intervention for YA survivors. Phase I: YA survivors ( = 21) and oncology providers ( = 11) completed individual interviews and an online, self-report assessment to examine symptom experiences, the need for a behavioral symptom management intervention for YAs, and perceptions about potential intervention components, structure, and format.

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Purpose: African-American women with breast cancer face significant disparities, including high levels of pain. Depressive symptoms and self-efficacy for pain management impact how women with breast cancer manage pain, yet little is known about how these variables relate to pain specifically for African-American women with breast cancer.

Methods: Baseline linear regression analyses were conducted using a sample of women (n = 98) with stage I-III breast cancer identifying as Black or African-American who were part of a larger intervention trial.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study explored how pain severity affects depressive symptoms in breast cancer patients by looking at pain self-efficacy (belief in one's ability to manage pain) and pain catastrophizing (negative thinking about pain).
  • Researchers analyzed data from 327 women with stage I-III breast cancer reporting moderate pain, using structural equation modeling to assess the proposed relationships.
  • Findings revealed that greater pain severity led to lower pain self-efficacy and higher pain catastrophizing, which in turn contributed to increased depressive symptoms; thus, addressing these cognitive factors could improve psychosocial care for these patients.
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  • Weight gain in breast cancer survivors can worsen health outcomes, and traditional weight loss programs often overlook the unique challenges they face, such as pain and fatigue.
  • A study was conducted involving interviews with couples to create a tailored 12-session intervention that incorporates both weight management and symptom management for breast cancer survivors and their partners.
  • The pilot trial showed that the intervention was feasible and well-received, with participants experiencing weight loss, better physical activity, improved eating habits, and reductions in emotional distress and symptoms like fatigue and pain.
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This is a tutorial on designing a persuasive pilot study of a psychosocial intervention (e.g., behavioral symptom management) in the palliative care setting.

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Objective: Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to improve pain and pain-related symptoms. We examined the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and impact of a 30-min virtual underwater/sea environment (VR Blue) for reducing pain and pain-related symptoms in advanced colorectal cancer patients. A qualitative exit interview was conducted to understand preferences, thoughts, and feelings about the VR session.

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Article Synopsis
  • Advanced cancer can severely impact a patient's overall well-being, prompting a study of a new behavioral pain management intervention called Meaning-Centered Pain Coping Skills Training (MCPC).
  • The trial involved 30 patients with stage IV cancer who participated in four video sessions, and the effectiveness was measured through various outcomes, including pain severity and coping skills usage.
  • Results showed high satisfaction with the intervention (average score of 3.53 out of 4) and significant improvements in pain management and emotional well-being, suggesting that MCPC is feasible and warrants further research through a larger randomized controlled trial.
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  • Fatigue and pain are common issues for women with breast cancer, often connected to depressive symptoms, and social support may play a critical role in influencing these factors.
  • A study involving 327 women with breast cancer analyzed the impact of emotional and instrumental social support on fatigue, pain interference, and depressive symptoms, using advanced statistical modeling methods.
  • Results indicated that higher emotional support was linked to lower levels of fatigue, pain interference, and depressive symptoms, while instrumental support was associated with increased depressive symptoms; overall, emotional support helped reduce depression indirectly by alleviating fatigue and pain interference.
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Purpose: Colorectal cancer survivors report pain and psychological distress to be burdensome long-term cancer consequences. Quality cancer survivorship care includes interventions for managing these symptoms. Yet, no studies have tested the efficacy of an accessible behavioral intervention for colorectal cancer survivors with pain and comorbid psychological distress.

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Background: Women with breast cancer in medically underserved areas are particularly vulnerable to persistent pain and disability. Behavioral pain interventions reduce pain and improve outcomes. Cancer patients in medically underserved areas receive limited adjunctive cancer care, as many lack access to pain therapists trained in behavioral interventions, face travel barriers to regional medical centers, and may have low literacy and limited resources.

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