Improvement in quality of life and psychological well-being associated with a culturally based psychosocial intervention for Chinese American breast cancer survivors

A Technology-Based Educational Intervention and Multiple Domains of Symptom Experience: Asian American Breast Cancer Survivors

Symptom management is one of the major concerns of cancer survivors, including Asian American breast cancer survivors (ABS) during their survivorship process. The purpose of this randomized intervention study was to determine the efficacy of a technology-based educational intervention in decreasing multiple domains of symptom experience among ABS. This was a part of a randomized clinical trial with repeated measures among 199 ABS recruited through online and offline groups/communities for Asian Americans. The intervention was a technology-based educational (information and coaching/support) program using computers and mobile devices to change health behaviors to improve the women's survivorship experience. The data were collected using multiple items on background and disease factors, and the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form (MSAS-SF). The data analysis was conducted using an intent-to-treat approach. Although the differences were not statistically significant, all multiple domain symptom scores of the intervention group decreased from pre-test to post 3 months, while only psychological symptom distress scores of the control group decreased from pre-test to post 3 months. Depending on the domain of symptoms, the significant mediators, with total, direct, or indirect effects, were different at different time points. For instance, attitudes, perceived barriers, social influences, social support, and self-efficacy showed significant total mediation effects on the total symptom distress scores only at pre-test (p < 0.05). The efficacy of a technology-based education intervention was supported in decreasing symptoms among ABS. Health educators need to consider that culturally tailored technology-based educational interventions could help improve the symptom experience of ABS.

A randomized controlled trial testing a virtual program for Asian American women breast cancer survivors

A culturally tailored virtual program could meet the survivorship needs of Asian American women breast cancer survivors (AABC). This study aims to determine the efficacy of a culturally tailored virtual information and coaching/support program (TICAA) in improving AABC's survivorship experience. A randomized clinical trial (NCT02803593) was conducted from January 2017 to June 2020 among 199 AABC. The intervention group utilized TICAA and the American Cancer Society [ACS] website while the control group used only ACS website for 12 weeks. The outcomes were measured using the SCNS-34SF (needs; primary), the MSAS-SF (symptoms; secondary), and the FACT-B (quality of life; secondary). The data were analyzed using an intent-to-treat approach. The intervention group showed significant reductions in their needs from the baseline (T0) to post 4 weeks (T1) and to post 12 weeks (T2). Although the changes were not statistically significant, the intervention group had decreased symptoms from T0 to T2 while the control group had an increase in their symptoms. The intervention group had a significant increase in their quality of life from T0 to T2. A culturally tailored virtual program could therefore improve quality of life in AABC patients. Trial Registration: To Enhance Breast Cancer Survivorship of Asian Americans (TICAA), NCT02803593, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02803593?titles=TICAA&draw=2&rank=1.

"My body, my choice": A qualitative study of women's mastectomy with flat closure experiences

This qualitative study aimed to describe and explore the pre and post-mastectomy experiences of women choosing flat closure after a breast cancer diagnosis. Aesthetic flat closure creates a flat contoured chest wall after a mastectomy. There is limited research on women's flat closure experiences. To fill this gap, we interviewed 19 women (Mage = 53, range 31-72) with breast cancer who underwent a bilateral mastectomy with flat closure, examining decision-making, mirror-viewing, and flat closure experiences. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological design, we generated seven themes. Broadly, women choosing flat closure experienced pressure from their clinicians to undergo breast reconstruction. We found flat closure information to be consistently lacking. Mirror-viewing experiences of women obtaining suboptimal flat closure outcomes led to shattered expectations, mirror avoidance, psychological distress, and body image disturbances. Women negotiated their new reality by discovering ways to feel comfortable with their flat bodies. Regardless of surgical outcome, decision satisfaction was high. These findings illustrate the importance of bodily autonomy and supportive healthcare environments for women making flat closure decisions. Providing comprehensive information on all surgical options and addressing post-operative expectations can improve women's decision-making and mirror-viewing experiences and assist women in adapting to their new body image.

Effect of personalized care based on OPT model on perceived control and quality of life among patients with breast cancer

Introduction

Patients with breast cancer (BC) after surgery are prone to negative physiological and psychosocial discomforts which cause the poor quality of life (QoL) among the patients. Therefore, how to improve the disease management ability of BC patients and to alleviate these cancer-related negative experience are particularly important. This study purpose to explore the potential effects of personalized care based on OPT model on the perceived control and the QoL among patients with BC, and to provide effective clinical nursing intervention for BC patients.

Methods

In this study, nonsynchronous controlled experiments were carried out on patients with BC, and the patients were randomly allocated to the control (n = 40) and intervention (n = 40) groups. The patients in the control group were given routine care; while the patients in the intervention group were given personalized care based on OPT model. The perceived control ability and QoL of the two groups were measured before and after the intervention.

Results

There were no significant differences in the total score of cancer experience and control efficacy of BC patients between the control group (61.15 ± 5.659, 41.80 ± 4.702) and the intervention group (60.58 ± 7.136, 42.15 ± 5.550) before intervention (p > 0.05). After the intervention, the total score of cancer experience in the intervention group (54.80 ± 8.519) was significantly lower than that in the control group (59.575 ± 7.331), with significant differences (p < 0.05). The total score of control efficacy in the intervention group (49.78 ± 6.466) was significantly higher than that in the control group (43.32 ± 6.219), with significant differences (p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, patients in intervention groups showed significant improvement in QoL after the intervention (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Personalized care based on OPT model plays a significant role in improving the level of perceived control and the QoL among patients with BC.Clinical Trial Registration:www.chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2300069476.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy on psychological stress and quality of life in subjects with pulmonary tuberculosis: a community-based cluster randomized controlled trial

Background

Anxiety and depression are two common psychological disorders in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. We aimed to explore the effects of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on psychological stress and quality of life in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Methods

From September 2018 to November 2018, 20 communities (461 participants in total) were randomly assigned in an intervention or control group following a two-level cluster random design. The intervention group underwent CBT for 2 months, whereas the control group received routine follow-up. Anxiety, depression, and quality of life were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire (GAD-7), and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scales, respectively. Comparisons between the two groups were conducted using independent samples t-tests, and differences between the two groups before and after treatment were analyzed using paired samples t-tests.

Results

There were a total of 454 participants in the final analysis. After 2 months of CBT intervention, the CBT group had a GAD-7 score that was 1.72 lower than the control group (1.47–1.99, p < 0.001), a PHQ-9 score of the CBT group that was 2.05 lower than that of the control group (1.74–2.37, p < 0.001). The CBT group had a total SF-36 score that was 10.7 lower than that of the control group (95% CI: 7.9–13.5, p < 0.001). In patients with different degrees of anxiety and depression, only those in the intervention group who had mild and moderate anxiety and depression symptoms showed a significant reduction in anxiety and depression scores following the intervention.

Conclusions

CBT can relieve anxiety, and depression symptoms and increase the quality of life in subjects with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Trials registration

ChiCTR-TRC-12001958 Date of Registration: 22/02/2012.

Peer support interventions on quality of life, depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy among patients with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Peer support is a common form of social support that is provided by individuals with the same disease, which is cost-effective and has enhanced health outcomes for patients. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of peer support interventions on quality of life (QOL), depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy among patients with cancer.

METHODS

A systematic search of seven databases were conducted from inception to January 2021. Studies were screened and assessed by two independent reviewers. Data synthesis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software, and the standardized mean difference was used to calculate pooled effect sizes.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies were included in current review. The meta-analysis indicated significant beneficial effects of peer support on QOL (SMD = 0.48, 95% CI 0.21-0.75; p < 0.001), depression (SMD = -0.23, 95% CI -0.39 to -0.07; p = 0.005), anxiety (SMD = -0.24, 95% CI -0.45 to 0.03; p = 0.03), and self-efficacy (SMD = 0.22, 95% CI 0.03-0.42; p = 0.03) relative to controls. The subgroup analysis for QOL revealed that peer support delivered in the mixed mode contributed more than peer support delivered in the single mode (e.g., face-to-face or telephone).

CONCLUSION

Peer support has significant effects on improving QOL and self-efficacy as well as alleviating depression and anxiety among patients with cancer. Additional randomized controlled trials with rigorous design and larger sample sizes are warranted in the future.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Peer support programs might benefit patients with cancer and could be used as a complementary approach to traditional healthcare services during cancer rehabilitation.