Exercise intervention for fatigue-related symptoms in Thai women with breast cancer: A pilot study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to preliminarily examine the effects of an exercise program on the symptoms of fatigue, sleep disturbance, mood disturbance, symptom distress, and physical fitness for Thai women with breast cancer. Twenty-three eligible women were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 11) or to a control group (n = 12). Data were collected and analyzed at baseline and again at 4, 7, and 10 weeks.

Development of an outpatient oncology symptom management clinic.

The Symptom Management Clinic (SMC) at University Hospital in Cincinnati, OH, was established to meet identified needs of patients with cancer seen in an outpatient setting. The initial step in the formation of the SMC consisted of the development of a business plan and the presentation of that business plan to the hospital administration. The development of clinic procedures using the creation of a guideline for pain management as an example is presented, as are medication reconciliation and patient teaching.

Launching evidence-based nursing practice.

In one institution's effort to develop nursing staff to use evidence in practice, formation of the Evidence-Based Practice Council was instrumental. This Evidence-Based Practice Council developed its members to support the development of others. Programming strategies included keynote speakers during Nurses Day followed by breakout sessions and programs throughout the year.

Digital image analysis of facial erythema over time in persons with varied skin pigmentation.

Background/purpose: Selected chemotherapeutic agents used for the treatment of cancer are known to cause skin toxicities. One group of agents, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, characteristically precipitates an acneform rash. Currently, no standard of care exists for the management of the rash resulting from EGFR inhibitors.

Efficacy of an intervention for fatigue and sleep disturbance during cancer chemotherapy.

Context: Multiple complex symptoms from cancer treatment can interfere with functioning.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of an "energy and sleep enhancement" (EASE) intervention to relieve fatigue and sleep disturbance and improve health-related functional status.

Methods: Individuals receiving chemotherapy (CTX) were randomized to the EASE (n=153) or a control intervention (n=139).

One institution's experience in implementing protocols for glycemic management.

The objective for monitoring blood glucose is to determine the need for intervention. This article describes an institution's comprehensive program of protocols and education initiated to manage inpatient hyperglycemia.

Factors influencing diabetes self-management in Chinese people with type 2 diabetes.

Patients with diabetes must incorporate a complicated regimen of self-management into their daily lives (e.g., taking medication, diet, exercise).

Adaptation and testing of instruments to measure diabetes self-management in people with type 2 diabetes in mainland China.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the psychometric properties of instruments used to measure diabetes self-management (DSM) that were modified and translated into Chinese.

Method: A convenience sample of 30 people with type 2 diabetes in Beijing, China, completed a questionnaire consisting of six instruments that had been translated and modified for use with a Chinese population. The reliability and validity were examined.

C-reactive protein and cardiovascular disease in people with diabetes: high-sensitivity CRP testing can help assess risk for future cardiovascular disease events in this population.

Having both diabetes and an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level compounds one's risk of developing cardiovascular disease, for which people with diabetes are at particularly high risk. CRP is both a biomarker for infectious and noninfectious disorders associated with inflammation and a risk factor for such conditions. Many researchers now believe that the protein also plays a role in the disease processes.

Symptom management needs of oncology outpatients.

Question: What were the needs of outpatients for symptom management?

Method: A multidisciplinary team assembled to determine the need for a symptom management clinic. Two surveys were developed for potential users: one for the outpatients and the other for the attending oncologists.

Intervention: During a 3-week period, outpatients were approached after registering for the oncology clinic and while waiting for their appointment.

Symptom cluster research: conceptual, design, measurement, and analysis issues.

Cancer patients may experience multiple concurrent symptoms caused by the cancer, cancer treatment, or their combination. The complex relationships between and among symptoms, as well as the clinical antecedents and consequences, have not been well described. This paper examines the literature on cancer symptom clusters focusing on the conceptualization, design, measurement, and analytic issues.

Strategies for maintaining integrity of a behavioral intervention.

The purpose of this article is to address issues in maintaining the integrity of a behavioral intervention. Examples are provided from a recently completed study on how to train research staff and monitor the integrity of the intervention. In this exemplar, the integrity of the behavioral intervention was addressed by the design of the study and research staff training.

A randomized clinical trial of energy conservation for patients with cancer-related fatigue.

Background: The efficacy of energy conservation and activity management (ECAM) for fatigue reduction and maintenance of functional performance has never been evaluated in adults with cancer who are undergoing treatment.

Methods: A randomized clinical trial compared an ECAM intervention with a control intervention focused on nutrition. Individuals initiating chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or concurrent therapy for cancer were randomized to receive either the semistructured ECAM intervention (n = 200) or the control intervention (n = 196).

A pilot study examining energy conservation for cancer treatment-related fatigue.

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of conducting an energy conservation and activity management (ECAM) intervention for cancer treatment-related fatigue and describe patterns of cancer treatment-related fatigue for two groups undergoing active treatment, one receiving the ECAM intervention and a nonequivalent control group receiving standard care for cancer treatment-related fatigue. The ECAM group received 3 telephone sessions focusing on the provision of information about fatigue, development of an energy conservation plan, and evaluation of the plan's effectiveness. Data for the ECAM group were collected before treatment, at an expected fatigue high point during treatment, and an expected low point of fatigue after treatment.