Loneliness, immunological recovery patterns, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Purpose: Loneliness may compromise health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes and the immunological impacts of loneliness via neuroendocrinological mechanisms likely have consequences for patients who have undergone a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Research Approach And Measures: Loneliness (pre-transplant), immunological recovery (Day 30, Day 100, 1-year post-transplant), and HRQOL (Day 100, 1 year) were measured in a sample of 205 patients completing a HSCT (127 autologous, 78 allogenic).

Results: Greater levels of pre-transplant loneliness predicted poorer HRQOL at Day 100 and 1-year follow-up.

A prospective study of the relationship between illness perception, depression, anxiety, and quality of life in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients.

Aim: The aim of study was to investigate whether depression and anxiety symptoms and illness perception prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) predict health related quality of life (HRQOL) at Day 100 and 1 year following HSCT.

Methods: A total of 205 patients who underwent HSCT (N = 127 autologous transplants, N = 78 allogeneic transplants) were included in this prospective study. Baseline assessment was assessed prior to transplantation and post HSCT data were collected at Day 100 and 1 year.

Baseline and follow-up association of the MAX-PC in Men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer.

Objective: The objective of this paper is to conduct a prospective, longitudinal study employing the Memorial Anxiety Scale for Prostate Cancer (MAX-PC) to examine the baseline and follow-up association of prostate cancer (PCa)-specific anxiety, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and PCa aggressiveness in men with newly-diagnosed PCa undergoing prostatectomy at our institution.

Methods: From our prospective PCa registry, we identified a total of 350 men with newly-diagnosed PCa who completed the MAX-PC and the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) at baseline and one-year following surgery. Scores on both measures were compared with clinical measure and demographics using the Wilcoxon Rank Sum, Fisher's exact, and Cochran-Armitage Trend tests.

Integrated smoking cessation and binge drinking intervention for young adults: a pilot efficacy trial.

Alcohol consumption is strongly associated with cigarette smoking in young adults. The primary aim of this investigation was to complete a pilot evaluation of the efficacy of an integrated intervention that targets both cigarette smoking and binge drinking on the cigarette smoking and binge behavior of young adults at 6-month follow-up. Participants were 95 young adult (M=24.

Evaluation of the association of prostate cancer-specific anxiety with sexual function, depression and cancer aggressiveness in men 1 year following surgical treatment for localized prostate cancer.

Background: Cancer-specific anxiety (CSA) can affect treatment decisions and is common in men following surgery for prostate cancer (PCa). We hypothesized that CSA is also associated with factors affecting quality of life. Herein, we examine the association of CSA with psychosocial factors and PCa aggressiveness in a cohort of men 1 year after prostatectomy for localized PCa.

Quality of life of patients undergoing surgical treatment for newly-diagnosed, clinically localized renal cell carcinoma.

This investigation sought to evaluate the psychological needs of individuals (N = 28) undergoing nephrectomy for newly diagnosed, localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) using a mixed qualitative-quantitative approach. The qualitative component consisted of individual semi-structured interviews ≥4 weeks postnephrectomy. The quantitative component involved standardized measures assessing anxiety, depressive symptoms, psychological distress, and general and disease specific quality of life (QOL) prior to nephrectomy and at 4, 12, and 24 weeks postnephrectomy.

A pilot investigation of a multidisciplinary quality of life intervention for men with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer.

Objective: This pilot project evaluated the acceptability and estimated the effect size of a tailored multidisciplinary quality of life (MQOL) intervention for men who have biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer.

Methods: Participants included 57 men with localized prostate cancer with biochemical recurrence (Median=76 years; 89% White). Participants were randomized to wait list control which offered the intervention upon conclusion of the study (n=27) or to an eight-session group-based, MQOL (n=30) intervention.

Integrated smoking cessation and binge drinking intervention for young adults: a pilot investigation.

Background: Alcohol consumption is strongly associated with cigarette smoking in young adults.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and estimate the magnitude of the effect of a novel-integrated smoking cessation and binge-drinking intervention for young adults compared with standard treatment control.

Methods: Participants were 41 young adult smokers (≥ 10 cigarettes per day) who regularly (≥ 2 times per month) binge drank who were randomly assigned to standard treatment (n = 19) involving eight individual treatment visits plus 8 weeks of nicotine patch therapy or the identical smoking cessation treatment integrated with a binge-drinking intervention (integrated intervention; n = 22).

Brief integrative multiple behavior intervention effects and mediators for adolescents.

This study evaluated the efficacy of a brief integrative multiple behavior intervention and assessed risk factors as mediators of behavioral outcomes among older adolescents. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with participants randomly assigned to either a brief intervention or standard care control with 3-month follow-up. A total of 479 students attending two public high schools participated.

The association of alcohol consumption with tobacco use in Black and White college students.

This study explored the association of alcohol and tobacco use among college students. A survey was administered in 2004 to 2,189 Black and White students from the southeastern United States. The prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use, tobacco use characteristics according to level of alcohol consumed, and percentage of students using tobacco according to type of alcoholic beverages consumed were evaluated.

A brief image-based prevention intervention for adolescents.

The authors evaluated the efficacy of a brief image-based prevention intervention and assessed current drug use as a moderator of intervention effects. In a clinical trial, 416 high school-age adolescents were randomized to either the brief intervention or usual care control, with data collected at baseline and 3-month follow-up. The brief intervention consisted of a tailored in-person communication and a series of parent/guardian print materials based on the behavior-image model.

Are effects from a brief multiple behavior intervention for college students sustained over time?

Objective: This study examined whether 3-month outcomes of a brief image-based multiple behavior intervention on health habits and health-related quality of life of college students were sustained at 12-month follow-up without further intervention.

Methods: A randomized control trial was conducted with 303 undergraduates attending a public university in southeastern US. Participants were randomized to receive either a brief intervention or usual care control, with baseline, 3-month, and 12-month data collected during fall of 2007.

Brief multiple behavior health interventions for older adolescents.

Purpose: This study examined whether brief intervention strategies founded on the Behavior-Image Model and addressing positive images of college and career success could be potentially efficacious in impacting multiple health habits of high-risk adolescents transitioning into adulthood.

Design: Participants were stratified by grade level and drug use and individually randomized to one of the three Plan for Success interventions, with baseline and 1 month postintervention data collections.

Setting: A large, relatively diverse suburban school in northeast Florida.

Efficacy of a brief image-based multiple-behavior intervention for college students.

Background: Epidemiologic data indicate most adolescents and adults experience multiple, simultaneous risk behaviors.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of a brief image-based multiple-behavior intervention (MBI) for college students.

Methods: A total of 303 college students were randomly assigned to: (1) a brief MBI or (2) a standard care control, with a 3-month postintervention follow-up.

Effect of expressive writing as a treatment adjunct for reducing smoking cessation related weight gain in young adult smokers.

This investigation evaluated the effect of expressive writing on weight gain in young adults being treated for smoking cessation. This study was conducted between July 2001 and June 2005. Participants (N = 196) ages 18-24 years (M = 20.

Change in perceived stress, partner support, decisional balance, and self-efficacy following residential nicotine dependence treatment.

The primary aim was to examine the effect of an eight day residential treatment for nicotine dependence on perceived stress, partner support, decisional balance, and self-efficacy for stopping smoking. Whether these variables predicted six months post treatment abstinence following residential treatment was also examined. Participants included 170 adult cigarette smokers.

Development and feasibility of a parental support intervention for adolescent smokers.

The aim of this investigation was to develop and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a parental support intervention. A new measure of perceived parental support for stopping smoking was also developed. The sample included 59 adolescent-parent pairs recruited from a mid-sized Midwestern town during 2000-2003.

Quality of life of men with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer.

This investigation evaluated the psychological needs of men (n = 28) with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer. A mixed qualitative-quantitative approach was employed. The qualitative component consisted of focus groups and the quantitative component included administration of standardized measures assessing quality of life (QOL), anxiety, and mood.

Differences among Black and White young adults on prior attempts and motivation to help a smoker quit.

This study assessed differences between Black and White young adults on prior attempts and motivation to help a smoker quit. A total of 1,621 undergraduates (912 Black, 709 White; 63% female) ages 18-24 years completed a cross-sectional survey. Overall, 54% reported they had previously tried to help someone else stop smoking (52% among Blacks vs.

Expressive writing as a smoking cessation treatment adjunct for young adult smokers.

This investigation evaluated the efficacy of expressive writing as a treatment adjunct to a brief office smoking cessation intervention plus nicotine patch therapy in young adults. Participants aged 18-24 years were randomized to a brief office intervention (n=99) or to an expressive writing plus brief office intervention (n=97). Both conditions received four individual visits plus 6 weeks of nicotine patch therapy, which began on the quit date following the week 2 visit.

Expressive writing intervention for young adult cigarette smokers.

This investigation examined the feasibility and magnitude of the effect of a stress management intervention involving expressive writing as an adjunct to brief office smoking cessation intervention for young adults. Participants aged 18-21 years were randomized to brief office intervention (N=30) or expressive writing plus brief office intervention (N=30). Biochemically confirmed 30-day point-prevalence tobacco abstinence, smoking reduction, perceived stress, negative affect, and treatment compliance were assessed at 4, 12, and 24 weeks post randomization.

Personality correlates related to tobacco abstinence following treatment.

Objective: The five-factor model of personality was used to describe the correlates of smoking abstinence.

Methods: Following treatment in the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center, the six month abstinence status was determined by self-report. Sixteen months to 2.

Effect of nicotine replacement therapy on stress and smoking behavior in surgical patients.

Background: Many surgical patients are dependent on nicotine. Smoke-free policies in healthcare facilities mandate abstinence from smoking, which could contribute to psychological stress in the perioperative period. The authors tested the hypothesis that nicotine replacement therapy decreases psychological stress in cigarette smokers scheduled to undergo elective surgery and determined whether nicotine replacement therapy affects postoperative smoking behavior, even when not specifically prescribed to promote abstinence.

A survey of characteristics of smokeless tobacco users in a treatment program.

Objective: To determine the characteristics and outcomes of smokeless tobacco (ST) users receiving interventions in an outpatient tobacco-dependence treatment program.

Methods: Survey was mailed with telephone follow-up to ST users treated during a 2-year period.

Results: Nicotine replacement therapy and family and social support were the most helpful intervention components in maintaining tobacco abstinence.

Smoking behavior and perceived stress in cigarette smokers undergoing elective surgery.

Background: The forced abstinence from cigarettes accompanying surgery in smoke-free facilities may increase psychological stress by removing a coping mechanism and by nicotine withdrawal. The authors tested the hypothesis that abstinence from cigarette smoking contributes to psychological stress in the perioperative period.

Methods: The authors assessed measures of nicotine withdrawal (Hughes-Hatsukami nicotine withdrawal scale) and perceived stress (including the Perceived Stress Scale) in 141 cigarette smokers scheduled to undergo elective surgery.