Enhancing Bereavement Experiences for Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients: A Pilot Intervention Study.

Although hospice care is associated with better bereavement outcomes, the duration of hospice care at the end of life remains very short. The aim was to assess the feasibility of the study methods and to measure the impact of a novel brief intervention on bereaved family caregivers' satisfaction and their psychological distress and psychological burden in nurses. Family caregivers of patients with cancer in an inpatient hospice were recruited.

Final Results of a Multicenter Prospective Study of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Previously Untreated Solitary Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma (The STRSPH Study).

Purpose: To report final results of a prospective study of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in patients with previously untreated solitary primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods And Materials: This prospective, single-arm, multicenter phase 2 trial recruited patients with HCC who were unsuitable for, or refused, surgery and radiofrequency ablation, with 3-year overall survival rates as the primary endpoint and survival outcomes and adverse events as secondary endpoints. The prescribed SBRT dose was 40 Gy in 5 fractions.

Nurse-Led Screening-Triggered Early Specialized Palliative Care Program for Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: We aimed to examine the effectiveness of a nurse-led, screening-triggered early specialized palliative care intervention program for patients with advanced lung cancer.

Methods: Patients with advanced lung cancer who underwent initial chemotherapy were randomized to intervention and usual care groups between January 2017 and September 2019. The intervention comprised comprehensive needs assessments, counseling, and service coordination by advanced-level nurses.

Prospective Multicenter Comprehensive Survey on Male Sexual Dysfunction following Laparoscopic, Robotic, and Transanal Approaches for Rectal Cancer (the LANDMARC Study).

Objective: To investigate the incidence of male sexual dysfunction (SD) including erectile dysfunction (ErD) and ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) after minimally invasive rectal cancer surgery.

Background: Male SD significantly affects post-rectal cancer surgery quality of life (QOL). Current assessments using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 are unsuitable for patients with reduced postoperative sexual activity, because it assumes sexual intercourse.

Naldemedine for Opioid-Induced Constipation in Patients With Cancer: A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Opioid-induced constipation is the most frequent and non-self-limiting adverse effect of opioid analgesia, reducing adherence and interfering with pain relief. This clinical trial aimed to clarify the preventive effect of naldemedine versus placebo for constipation in patients with cancer starting regularly dosed strong opioids therapy.

Methods: This multicenter, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, confirmatory trial was conducted between July 2021 and May 2023 at four academic hospitals in Japan (Japan Registry of Clinical Trials identifier: jRCTs031200397).

A Handheld Ultrasound Device Can Predict Constipation with Rectal Fecal Retention in a Palliative Care Setting.

Although handheld ultrasound devices (HUDs) are commonplace, their ability to diagnose fecal retention (FR) remains unclear. This prospective observational study examined HUDs' usefulness in diagnosing FR in patients with constipation in a palliative care setting. Between 10 December 2020 and 30 June 2022, we compared rectal ultrasonographic findings obtained using HUDs with clinical manifestations in 64 males and 70 females (48%, 52%, 68 ± 11 years old) with constipation who had undergone computed tomography (CT).

The safety and effectiveness of naldemedine for opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced cancer in real-world palliative care settings: a multicenter prospective observational study.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of naldemedine for treating opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in patients with advanced cancer, who are receiving palliative care, and particularly explored its early effects.

Methods: Palliative care teams and inpatient palliative care units across 14 institutions in Japan were included in this multicenter, prospective, observational study. Patients who were newly prescribed a daily oral dose of 0.

Recombinant human fibroblast growth factor and autogenous bone for periodontal regeneration: Alone or in combination? A randomized clinical trial.

Aim: To compare the outcomes of therapy using recombinant human fibroblast growth factor (rhFGF)-2 combined with autologous bone grafting (ABG) therapy with those of rhFGF-2 alone and ABG alone in the treatment of periodontal intraosseous defects.

Methods: Periodontal intraosseous defects were randomized to receive rhFGF-2 therapy + ABG, rhFGF-2 therapy alone, or ABG alone. Periodontal examination and periapical radiography were performed preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Prevalence of hazardous drinking and suspected alcohol dependence in Japanese primary care settings.

Objective: We aimed to assess the prevalence of hazardous drinking and potential alcohol dependence among Japanese primary care patients, and their readiness to change and awareness of others' concerns.

Methods: From July to August 2023, we conducted a multi-site cross-sectional study as a screening survey for participants in a cluster randomized controlled trial. The trial included outpatients aged 20-74 from primary care clinics.

Relationship between nurses' perceptions and financial toxicity management in the public health insurance system.

To describe nursing practices for financial toxicity management based on nurses' perceptions. A survey was conducted with 615 oncology nurses in Japan, focusing on nurses' perspectives on the importance of financial toxicity, nursing practices to manage financial toxicity and factors inhibiting its management. A total of 521 participated, of whom 266 respondents (51.

Symptoms and Prognoses of Patients With Breast Cancer and Malignant Wounds in Palliative Care Units: The Multicenter, Prospective, Observational EASED Study.

Background: This study sought to investigate the symptoms and prognoses of patients with breast cancer and malignant wounds in the palliative care unit setting.

Methods: This study was a sub-group analysis of a multicenter, prospective, observational study. Patients admitted to 23 palliative care units in Japan between January and December 2017 were enrolled.

The Prevalence and Characteristics of Symptomatic Uncomplicated Diverticular Disease Among Asian Patients With Unexplained Abdominal Symptoms.

Background/aims: The precise incidence of symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) and its effects on the quality of life (QOL) remain unclear, particularly in Asian patients with right-sided SUDD. We assess the prevalence of SUDD and its impact on QOL in a real-world population.

Methods: Five institutional cohorts of patients who received outpatient treatment for unexplained abdominal symptoms from January 15, 2020 to March 31, 2022, were included.

Psychological symptom burden associated with malignant wounds: Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study.

Objectives: Patients with malignant wounds suffer from physical and psychological symptom burden. Despite psychological support being required, the impact of malignant wounds on patients' psychological distress is poorly investigated. We evaluated psychological distress associated with malignant wounds for patients at their end of life.

Interactive assistance via eHealth for small- and medium-sized enterprises' employer and health care manager teams on tobacco control (eSMART-TC): protocol for a cluster randomized hybrid type II trial (N-EQUITY2101/J-SUPPORT2102).

Background: Tobacco control should be a higher public health priority in Japan. Some workplaces provide smoking cessation support and connect employees to effective smoking cessation treatments such as outpatient clinics. However, tobacco control measures have not been sufficiently implemented in Japan, especially in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), where resources are limited.

Factors Associated With Practice of Multimodal Care for Cancer Cachexia Among Physicians and Nurses Engaging in Cancer Care.

Purpose: Multimodal care for cancer cachexia is needed. This study examined factors associated with practicing multimodal cachexia care among physicians and nurses engaging in cancer care.

Methods: This was a preplanned secondary analysis of a survey investigating clinicians' perspectives on cancer cachexia.

Efficacy of aluminum chloride in severe regorafenib-associated hand-foot skin reactions: a single-arm trial.

Background: Regorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, causes a high frequency of hand-foot skin reactions (HFSRs). The present study evaluated the efficacy of topical aluminum chloride, a perspiration suppressant, in reducing the severity of hand-foot skin reactions (HFSRs) caused by regorafenib.

Methods: The present single-arm study included patients with metastatic colorectal cancer receiving regorafenib.

Effectiveness of a facilitation programme using a mobile application for initiating advance care planning discussions between patients with advanced cancer and healthcare providers: protocol for a randomised controlled trial (J-SUPPORT 2104).

Introduction: Timely implementation of the discussion process of advance care planning (ACP) is recommended. The communication attitude of healthcare providers is critical in ACP facilitation; thus, improving their communication attitudes may reduce patient distress and unnecessary aggressive treatment while enhancing care satisfaction. Digital mobile devices are being developed for behavioural interventions owing to their low space and time restrictions and ease of information sharing.

Perspectives of registered dietitians and factors associated with their personal accomplishment in the management of cancer cachexia.

Purpose: Registered dietitians (RDs) have the potential in cancer cachexia management. We investigated RDs' knowledge on cancer cachexia and assessed the effects of factors on RDs' perception of playing an important role in cancer cachexia management.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a survey examining the perspectives of health care professionals on cancer cachexia management.

Perspectives of Health Care Professionals on Multimodal Interventions for Cancer Cachexia.

Background: Holistic multimodal interventions have not been established for cancer cachexia. The beliefs and perceptions of health care professionals (HCPs) based on their experiences influence the interventions.

Objectives: HCPs' knowledge, perceptions, and practices in cancer cachexia management were evaluated.

An international, stepped wedge, cluster-randomized trial investigating the 0/1-h algorithm in suspected acute coronary syndrome in Asia: the rational of the DROP-Asian ACS study.

Background: More than half of the world's population lives in Asia. With current life expectancies in Asian countries, the burden of cardiovascular disease is increasing exponentially. Overcrowding in the emergency departments (ED) has become a public health problem.

Difficulties Facing Junior Physicians and Solutions Toward Delivering End-of-Life Care for Patients with Cancer: A Nationwide Survey in Japan.

Background: Junior physicians' perceived difficulty in end-of-life care of patients with cancer has not been structurally investigated; therefore, current challenges and solutions in this area remain unknown.

Objectives: To identify some difficulties junior physicians face in delivering end-of-life care for patients with cancer and to clarify the support required to reduce these difficulties.

Design: A nationwide survey was conducted in over 300 institutions selected randomly from 1037 clinical training hospitals in Japan.