European Journal of Oncology Nursing最新文献

Purpose: In the care for oesophageal cancer, symptom assessment was mainly carried out from the perspective of the total score using scales, which ignored individual differences in symptom experience among patients. To provide personalized symptom management, individual differences among patients with oesophageal cancer warranted further investigation. The objective was to identify the different symptom profiles of patients after oesophagectomy and examine the risk factors affecting the symptom profiles.

Methods: It was a descriptive study with cross-sectional design. A total of 258 participants were recruited. Latent profile analysis was used to identify different profile of symptoms, and multiple logistic regression was used to identify risk factors.

Results: Three distinct profiles were identified: the "complex symptoms group" (32.6%), the "throat symptoms group" (25.2%), and the "single fatigue group" (42.2%). Patients with higher prognostic nutritional index (OR = 0.797), higher resilience scale score (OR = 0.907), living in city or town (OR = 0.396), and stage II cancer (OR = 0.413) were more likely to be classified as "single fatigue group". Patients with higher prognostic nutritional index (OR = 1.233) and cervical anastomosis (OR = 4.586) tended to be classified as the "throat symptoms group". Unemployed patients (OR = 0.204) tended to belong to the "complex symptoms group," whereas patients with higher prognostic nutritional index were less likely to be in the "complex symptoms group."

Conclusion: Individual differences existed in the symptom experience of patients undergoing surgery for oesophageal cancer. Precise symptom management programs should be designed and implemented according to the individualized characteristics of the patient's symptom experience to promote patients' recovery.

Purpose: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) contributes to sleep problems and social support is a buffering factor in the literature. However, the moderating effect of social support between FCR and sleep quality is unclear.

Methods: The moderating role of social support was examined in a cohort of 460 breast cancer patients from the 2024 Be Resilient to Breast Cancer (BRBC) program from a microscopic perspective using moderated network analysis, and then assessed macroscopically by Johnson-Neyman and response surface analysis. The Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form, Perceived Social Support Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale were employed in this study.

Results: Social support significantly moderated the relationship between general anxiety and sleep efficiency. General anxiety was positively correlated with sleep efficiency at high levels of social support (t = 3.774, P < 0.001). Patients with high social support and low FCR experienced better sleep (F = 6.166, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Our study deepens the understanding of the association between FCR, social support, and sleep quality, and emphasizes social support as a positive strategy for cancer patients to improve their physical and mental health.

Purpose: To identify the subgroups and symptom networks associated with endocrine therapy in patients with breast cancer.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional design using convenience sampling to select patients from a tertiary hospital in China. A total of 406 patients were invited to complete demographic and clinical questionnaires and the Chinese Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Symptom Scale was used to assess their symptoms. Latent profile analysis was used to classify the symptom subgroups of patients with breast cancer undergoing endocrine therapy. Univariate and binary multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the influence of these factors on different subgroups. Network analysis was used to identify the core symptoms of different subgroups.

Results: The analysis revealed two distinct subgroups: low symptom distress (74%; Class 1) and high symptom distress (26%; Class 2). Patients who were older, had a lower monthly family income per capita, and had not received radiotherapy were more likely to belong to Class 2. Furthermore, the network analysis results revealed that "difficulty concentrating" was a core symptom of the entire sample. The core symptom for Class 1 was "lack of energy," and the core symptom for Class 2 was "joint pain."

Conclusion: The symptoms of patients with breast cancer undergoing endocrine therapy were heterogeneous. Different subgroups exhibited different core symptoms. Therefore, targeted interventions should be provided according to the characteristics of the different symptom subgroups and their core symptoms to achieve precise and effective symptom management.

Purpose: We aimed to describe and compare posttraumatic growth (PTG) levels among gynecological cancer patients and spouses at various time points within one year of diagnosis, as well as to investigate the association, trajectory, and subgroup characteristics of their PTG.

Methods: Couples in a longitudinal observational study filled out questionnaires within 1 month of gynecological cancer diagnosis, as well as 3, 6, and 12 months later. A growth mixture model (GMM) was utilized to explore PTG trajectories. Statistical analyses included Spearman rank correlation, chi-square test, nonparametric test, and post-hoc test.

Results: A significant positive correlation was found between the PTG scores of patients and spouses at different times (P < 0.01), with the patients' scores being significantly higher (P < 0.001). Within a year of diagnosis, patients' and their spouses' PTG showed an overall upward trend. The GMM identified three categories for patients' PTG trajectories: high stability (33.7%), decline (19.1%), and low growth (47.2%). Similarly, spouses' PTG trajectories fell into three categories: medium growth (42.8%), decline (8.6%), and low stability (48.6%). Subgroup analysis of patients and spouses with different PTG trajectories indicated significant differences concerning educational attainment, residence location, per capita monthly family income, payment method of patients' medical expenses, and subjective severity of patients' diseases (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study represents the inaugural effort to investigate the levels and correlations of PTG between gynecological cancer patients and their spouses from a longitudinal perspective. Furthermore, three distinct trajectories were identified for both partners. Patients and spouses exhibiting different PTG trajectories possess unique demographic and disease characteristics.

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to explore women's and their male partners' experiences with breast reconstruction (BR) decision and to study the evolution of their experiences since undergoing mastectomy to one year after.

Methods: Unstructured individual interviews with four couples facing mastectomy for breast cancer and BR decision-making were conducted following mastectomy (T1) and one year after mastectomy (T2). Longitudinal interpretative phenomenological analysis (LIPA) was conducted on the data.

Results: A total of 16 interviews were conducted, revealing seven group experiential themes: six applicable across time and one related to a specific timepoint. The results highlight two critical aspects: the ambivalence surrounding BR and the perceived importance of moving forward. Women and their partners expressed mixed feelings about BR, weighing the potential for improved quality of life and body image against fears of surgery and medical complications. The decision to undergo BR evolved over time, influenced by experiences related to body acceptance, aesthetic considerations, practical concerns, and societal norms for femininity. Partners played a significant role in the decision-making process, offering emotional support and influencing the decision both directly and indirectly. Moreover, the interpretative accounts underline how couples may see BR as a strategy for repairing both physical and psychological damage.

Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the importance of understanding BR not only as a medical procedure but also as a deeply psychosocial process shaped by individual and relational factors. Furthermore, we provide reflections on the use of LIPA since it is a rarely used method.

Purpose: This mixed-methods systematic review aimed to identify the key components of psychosocial programs for fertility-related distress in patients with cancer and integrate the findings from quantitative and qualitative studies.

Methods: A search for relevant studies published between January 2012 and March 2024 was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Review Library databases. Data were synthesized using a sequential descriptive design.

Results: Eight studies were included: six randomized controlled trials (two of which also included qualitative data) and two qualitative studies. The quantitative data found direct effects such as increased fertility-related knowledge, although the results on psychological outcomes such as anxiety and depression were inconsistent. The qualitative findings confirmed patients' ambivalence about facing their fertility issues, increased knowledge for decision-making, and unmet needs such as information overload and a lack of psychological support. For the cognitive-behavioral outcomes, fertility-related concerns were examined in greater depth in the quantitative studies, whereas the qualitative studies focused more on empowerment.

Conclusion: This review emphasizes the need for the careful design of psychosocial interventions to prevent negative emotional impacts while supporting the long-term self-management of fertility-related issues. Tailoring these interventions to meet the specific needs of patients is essential for improving psychosocial outcomes.

Purpose: Compassion fatigue can impact oncology nurse's personal and professional life, which may, in turn, affect the quality of patient care. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of compassion fatigue and identify risk and protective factors among Australian oncology nurses caring for adult cancer patients.

Methods: 170 Australian oncology nurses caring for adult cancer patients completed a cross-sectional online survey comprising demographic information, the Professional Quality of Life, the HEXACO Personality Inventory-Revised and the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index. Scores for each subscale of the Professional Quality of Life and corresponding prevalence rates were identified. The association of demographic factors, personality domains, and work environments with the Professional Quality of Life subscales were analysed using multiple linear regression.

Results: The mean scores of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress were 40.02, 24.72 and 22.68, respectively. The composite score of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index subscales was positively associated with compassion satisfaction and negatively associated with burnout and secondary traumatic stress. The only personality domain statistically significant to all subscales of the Professional Quality of Life was extraversion.

Conclusion: Oncology nurse's practice environment and personality traits, particularly extraversion, have been identified as key protective factors against compassion fatigue.

Purpose: After the diagnosis of breast cancer, women's sexuality becomes complex, and the sexual lives of couples are strongly affected by the treatment process of the disease. The aim of this study is to determine the perceptions, experiences, expectations, and needs related to sexuality from the perspective of women diagnosed with breast cancer and their partners.

Method: In this study, a descriptive qualitative design based on a thematic analysis approach was used. The data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with women diagnosed with breast cancer (n = 22) and their partners (n = 14). The thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data.

Results: The main themes of this study that came out from both the patients' and partners' perspectives were 'suspension (postponement) of sexual life' and 'unmet need for care related to sexuality'. The main themes consist of four sub-themes: 'changes in sexual dynamics', 'unsatisfied sexuality', 'barriers to accessing information and support', and 'demand for individualised and tailored comprehensive counselling'.

Conclusion: Women with breast cancer and their partners were found to have difficulty in asking for help about sexuality and to postpone their sexual lives. Findings of the present study suggest that sexual counselling is of critical importance at every stage of the breast cancer treatment process, and the patients and their partners need a culturally sensitive, individualised care thereof and expect a continuous support.

Purpose: Health anxiety (HA) is a critical issue for cancer patients. This study investigates the role of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) in HA among a heterogeneous sample of cancer patients, comparing those with hematological malignancies and solid tumor cancers. It also explores the impact of demographic and cancer-related factors on HA.

Methods: A total of 184 cancer patients participated in this study. Measurement model and structural model were assessed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to evaluate the reliability, validity, direct and indirect effect, explanatory power, and predictive power of constructs in the model. Multigroup analyses and moderation effects of demographic and cancer-related variables were also examined.

Results: IU significantly predicted HA, mediated by negative problem orientation (NPO) and positive beliefs about worry (PBW). females scored higher in HA, NPO, and cognitive avoidance (CA), while males scored higher in PBW. Solid tumor patients exhibited a stronger positive relationship between IU and HA than hematological malignancy patients. Age and marital status also affected the relationships between IU, NPO, and PBW. Patients without a history of chronic illness or COVID displayed stronger associations between IU and NPO.

Conclusion: IU is a key predictor of HA in cancer patients, with varying impacts across demographic and clinical groups. Tailored interventions addressing IU and related constructs help reduce HA, especially among patients with solid tumor cancers, female, married, older, lower educated, and newly diagnosed without former disease diagnosis. This study emphasizes the importance of considering patient heterogeneity in psychological interventions for HA.

Purpose: Rural breast cancer survivors (BCS) have unique unmet psychosocial needs that affect quality of life (QOL). Expressive writing (EW) has been shown to improve QOL in cancer survivors, however, its applicability is unclear among rural individuals. This pilot study explores the feasibility and acceptability of an online expressive writing (EW) intervention among rural breast cancer survivors (BCS).

Methods: Participants (N = 34) were recruited from a cancer hospital's registry and randomly assigned to either a control group or the EW intervention group to read positive messages and to write about their cancer experience three times, once per week. Health outcomes were assessed at baseline and 1 month after the intervention. Feasibility and acceptability were also assessed.

Results: The study yielded a satisfactory response rate, adherence rate, and completion rate. The majority of the participants reported enjoying the study. Preliminary analyses also demonstrated promising efficacy of the intervention, with improvements (medium effect size) observed for QOL (d = 0.51) and fatigue (d = -0.64) in the intervention group compared to the control group at 1-month follow-up.

Conclusions: The study demonstrates feasibility and acceptability of an online EW intervention among rural BCS. Future research is warranted to examine the efficacy of the intervention in larger samples of rural cancer survivors.