Cancer nursing
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Flushing and locking of totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) is recommended to maintain their patency when not in use. Although manufacturers' recommendations indicate monthly access for TIVAD maintenance, there is a tendency in real life to prolong this interval. ⋯ No statistically significant difference in occlusion rate between short and long timing of flushing was found. However, further studies are necessary to strengthen the safe implementation of longer intervals in clinical practice.
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Meta Analysis
The Effect of Nonpharmacological Interventions on Managing Symptom Clusters Among Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review.
Cancer patients often experience multiple concurrent and related symptoms, or symptom clusters. Research increasingly indicates that targeting a symptom cluster as an overall entity instead of individual symptoms could be more effective and efficient in improving patients' quality of life. Various nonpharmacological interventions are used to manage symptom clusters in cancer patients during and after treatment, but the effect of such interventions is uncertain. ⋯ Nonpharmacological interventions are shown to be effective in managing cancer-associated symptom clusters and could be considered as part of the existing healthcare services for cancer patients.
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Preclinical tests in animals have shown that ginger extract can be used to treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV); however, research findings in clinical trials have not been conclusive. ⋯ Our results could provide a reference for antiemetic methods to treat CINV and facilitate support for more clinical trials in the future to establish relevant guidelines.
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Cognitive deficits are distressing adverse effects of chemotherapy that have a negative effect on quality of life in breast cancer survivors (BCSs). Cognitive deficits in cancer survivors are a top research and clinical practice priority. ⋯ While limited evidence is available to guide clinical management of cognitive deficits in BCSs, validating patients' symptom experience and evaluating co-occurring symptom clusters such as fatigue, sleep, and depression, are suggested.
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Review Meta Analysis
Effects of Acupuncture on Menopause-Related Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Evidence regarding the effects of acupuncture on hot flashes in breast cancer survivors is conflicting. Little is known about the intermediate-term effects of acupuncture on hot flashes and other menopause-related symptoms in breast cancer survivors. ⋯ Acupuncture may be used as a complementary therapy for breast cancer survivors experiencing hot flashes and other menopause-related symptoms; however, whether acupuncture exerts specific treatment effects other than needling or placebo effects needs to be further evaluated.