Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2012
Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the 20-item Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale (ChPASS-20).
The Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale (PASS) was designed to assess pain-related anxiety and fear. Although the scale is a reliable measure with good psychometric properties, its validity among ethnic Chinese has yet to be evaluated. ⋯ Our data support the factorial validity, reliability, and construct validity of the ChPASS-20 in a Chinese population.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2012
Clinical TrialWhen expectations predict experience: the influence of psychological factors on chemotherapy toxicities.
Patients with cancer undergoing similar treatments experience variable severity and frequency of side effects not adequately explained by pharmacological mechanisms, suggesting psychological influence. ⋯ Findings support the growing contention that patient expectations influence experience, negatively impacting quality of life. As it is unethical to withhold treatment information, research into screening for at-risk patients and offering brief interventions to minimize Anxious Preoccupation could be one way to reduce overall side effect burden, perhaps in the case of many medical interventions.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2012
Case ReportsA case of inaccurate prognostication after the ARCTIC protocol.
Therapeutic hypothermia (ARCTIC, or Advanced Resuscitation Cooling Therapeutics and Intensive Care protocol) is a widely recommended intervention to improve mortality and neurologic outcomes after cardiac arrest. However, neurologic outcomes are difficult to predict soon after cardiac arrest in the setting of hypothermia, as illustrated by this case report. A 60-year-old man had witnessed cardiac arrest at home. ⋯ However, several studies have found these indicators to be unreliable after hypothermia. This may be the result of sedatives, which can affect physical examination and electroencephalogram results, and delayed clearance. Because of the unreliability of prognostication tests within the first 72 hours of hypothermic protocols in the setting of sedation, it appears prudent in some cases to delay final prognosis discussions until at least six days postcardiac arrest and after neurologic evaluation is done with patients sedative-free.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2012
Hospice providers' key approaches to support informal caregivers in managing medications for patients in private residences.
Managing and administering medications to relieve pain and symptoms are common, important responsibilities for informal caregivers of patients receiving end-of-life care at home. However, little is known about how hospice providers prepare and support caregivers with medication-related tasks. ⋯ Hospice nurses, physicians, and social workers identified distinct, yet overlapping, approaches in aiding caregivers with medication management. These findings emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork among hospice providers. Future research should investigate how common, standardized, effective, and efficient these approaches are in practice.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Jun 2012
Palliative sedation in advanced cancer patients followed at home: a retrospective analysis.
Data regarding palliative sedation at home in dying patients are lacking. ⋯ PS at home seems to be a feasible treatment option among selected patients and makes a potentially important contribution to improving care for those who choose to die at home.