Relationship between Quality of Life and Nurse-led Bedside Symptom Evaluations in Patients with Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy

The effect of hand and foot exercises on peripheral neuropathy and quality of life in women with breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

Peripheral neuropathy is one of the most devastating symptoms experienced by the patients. Supportive and holistic care interventions are crucial to help these patients. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of hand and foot exercises on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and quality of life in women with breast cancer.

METHODS

The sample of this randomized controlled trial study consisted of 79 women with breast cancer who underwent taxane-group chemotherapy in a hospital. The women diagnosed with grade 1 or higher peripheral neuropathy were included in the study. Women were divided into three groups as exercises with a massage ball, exercises with a stress ball, and control group. Hand and foot exercises last for 8 weeks. Data were collected using the Information Form, the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, and the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The severity of neuropathy decreased significantly in both massage ball and stress ball exercise groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The group and time interaction was statistically significant in fatigue, pain, and motor symptoms (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Women with breast cancer who undergo neurotoxic chemotherapy are thought to alleviate neuropathy symptoms and enhance their quality of life through simple home-based exercises. Nonpharmacological, applicable interventions, such as hand-foot exercises, can be integrated into patient education and care practices during the chemotherapy process.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrails.gov (Registration number: NCT06055088. registered on 01 June 2023).

Enhancing Nursing Practices in Critical Care for Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Age-Friendly Nursing Interventions

OBJECTIVES

To synthesize evidence on the implementation and effectiveness of age-friendly interventions in intensive care units (ICUs) to optimize care for older adults.

DESIGN

Systematic review of studies published up to February 2024, focusing on interventions tailored to meet the needs of older adults in ICU settings.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Comparative studies conducted in ICUs worldwide, involving older adults receiving critical care, were reviewed.

METHODS

A systematic search of databases including Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane was performed. The quality of studies was assessed using the ROSVIS-II tool, and findings were synthesized narratively and thematically.

RESULTS

Out of 1200 articles initially identified, 45 studies met inclusion criteria. Age-friendly interventions (eg, geriatric assessment teams, multimodal care bundles) demonstrated significant benefits, including a 19% reduction in major in-hospital complications and shorter hospital stays by an average of 3 days.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The review supports the effectiveness of age-friendly interventions in improving clinical outcomes for older ICU patients. However, consistent reporting of effect sizes was lacking, and more high-quality comparative effectiveness research is needed. Implications for practice include integrating these interventions into standard ICU protocols to enhance older adult care. Policy implications involve advocating for health care policies that support the dissemination and implementation of effective age-friendly practices. Further research should focus on establishing a robust evidence base to guide implementation and policy decisions.

Wellbeing and Complementary Therapies in Breast Cancer Peripheral Neuropathy Care: A Scoping Review Focused on Foot Health

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a multidimensional health problem. Up to now, little evidence has been found concerning its impact on quality of life and foot health. Evaluation tools and prevention and treatment strategies must be reported. This study aimed to map the literature on the impact of this side effect on the wellbeing and foot health of people with breast cancer and to describe their main assessment strategies and complementary therapies.

METHODS

A scoping review was carried out while following the PRISMA-ScR and Arksey and O'Malley guidelines. Different databases (Cochrane Plus, Scopus, Web of Science, and Pubmed) were used. A total of 221 results were identified. Sixteen articles were included.

RESULTS

The thematic analysis obtained the following categories: the impact of peripheral neuropathy on quality of life and foot health, complementary therapies as a path for new strategies, and the need for clinicians and researchers to get involved in researching this side effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Peripheral neuropathy has a negative impact on people's quality of life. Implications for foot health and maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle have not been previously reported. Complementary therapies are recommended by scientific evidence, highlighting exercise. However, there is a need to develop more research that will help to incorporate them into evidence-based practice.

Factors Influencing Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Advanced Cancer Patients With Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and to identify factors that influenced LUTS in advanced cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

Methods

This cross-sectional study included a total of 158 advanced cancer patients with CIPN. A structured questionnaire including the International Prostate Symptom Score and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecology Oncology Group/Neurotoxicity scale was used. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis.

Results

Nocturia was the most prevalent LUTS. A positive relationship was found between CIPN symptoms and LUTS. The duration of cancer diagnosis and the severity of CIPN were key factors that influenced LUTS.

Conclusions

The severity of CIPN symptoms was the most important predictor of LUTS. Nurses’ care for advanced cancer patients should incorporate a comprehensive health assessment, which includes a history of treatment and physical neuropathic symptoms, for any patient complaining of CIPN symptoms.

Cancer survivors exhibit a different relationship between muscle strength and health-related quality of life/fatigue compared to healthy subjects

We investigated the difference in relationship between muscle strength and quality of life (QOL)/fatigue in long-term cancer survivors and healthy subjects. Thirty-six cancer survivors and 29 healthy subjects were assessed for body composition and bone status at the calcaneus using the Osteo Sono Assessment Index. Muscle strength was evaluated via handgrip and knee extensor strength. Health-related QOL was assessed using the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. Fatigue was measured using the brief fatigue inventory. Cancer survivors exhibited lower QOL scores in the physical functioning, physical role function, bodily pain and general health domains (p < .05). Grip and knee extension muscle strength in cancer survivors was positively correlated with the physical function and bodily pain of QOL (p < .05). The usual fatigue subscale score was only significantly higher in cancer survivors than in healthy subjects (p < .05). However, there were no correlations between muscle strength and fatigue in cancer survivors. Our results showed that muscle strength was an important factor for improving QOL in cancer survivors. We believe that the findings of this study will be relevant in the context of planning rehabilitation for cancer survivors.

Symptom Clusters and Quality of Life According to the Survivorship Stage in Ovarian Cancer Survivors

This cross-sectional study evaluated a convenience sample comprising 182 ovarian cancer survivors to identify symptom clusters according to the cancer survivorship stage and to determine their effects on quality of life using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life-C30 and -OV28 questionnaires. Factor and multiple regression analyses were performed to identify symptom clusters according to the cancer survivorship stage and the symptom clusters that affected the quality of life in each cancer survivorship stage, respectively. Participants in the acute, extended, and permanent survival stages accounted for 33%, 36.3%, and 30.7% of subjects, respectively. Overall, the most common symptom cluster was fatigue-diarrhea, and the symptom clusters affecting the quality of life differed according to the cancer survivorship stage. Thus, to improve the quality of life of ovarian cancer survivors, the main symptom clusters of each cancer survivorship stage must be identified, and management strategies for the related symptoms must be designed.