Journal of pain and symptom management
-
J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2017
Multicenter StudySpecialty Palliative Care Consultations for Nursing Home Residents with Dementia.
U.S. nursing home (NH) residents with dementia have limited access to specialty palliative care beyond Medicare hospice. ⋯ Consultations appear to reduce acute care use and (potentially) burdensome transitions for dying residents with dementia. Reductions were greater when consultations were earlier.
-
J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2017
Multicenter StudyImpact of Undertreatment of Cancer Pain with Analgesic Drugs on Patient Outcomes: A Nationwide Survey of Outpatient Cancer Patient Care in Taiwan.
Undertreatment of cancer pain among outpatient cancer patients needs to be addressed to enhance care and improve patients' quality of life (QoL). ⋯ One-third of Taiwanese outpatients experienced pain because of undertreatment. Awareness of the prevalence of undertreatment of cancer pain and identification of the vulnerable subjects may assist in enhancing patient care and improving patient's QoL.
-
J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2017
Is higher acceptance associated with less anticipatory grief among patients in palliative care?
Patients in palliative care can experience substantial psychological suffering. Acceptance-based interventions from approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy have demonstrated effectiveness in helping people cope with a range of life challenges. However, there is a dearth of research examining mechanisms of therapeutic change for patients in palliative care. ⋯ The present study provides preliminary data suggesting that interventions that target acceptance may be indicated in patients in palliative care.
-
J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2017
ReviewFeasibility and Pilot Studies in Palliative Care Research: A Systematic Review.
Feasibility and pilot study designs are common in palliative care research. Finding standard guidelines on the structure and reporting of these study types is difficult. ⋯ The terms "feasibility" and "pilot" are used synonymously in palliative care research when describing studies that test for feasibility. Few studies in palliative care research outline clear criteria for success. The assessment of participant acceptability and burden is uncommon. A gold standard for feasibility study design in palliative care research that includes both clear criteria for success and testing of the study protocol for participant acceptability and burden is needed. Such a standard would assist with consistency in the design, conduct and reporting of feasibility and pilot studies.
-
J Pain Symptom Manage · Jul 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialRandomized evaluation of cognitive-behavioral therapy and graded exercise therapy for post-cancer fatigue.
Cancer-related fatigue is prevalent and disabling. When persistent and unexplained, it is termed post-cancer fatigue (PCF). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET) may improve symptoms and functional outcomes. ⋯ Combined CBT/GET improves fatigue and functional outcomes for a subset of patients with post-cancer fatigue. Further studies to improve the response rate and the magnitude of the benefit are warranted.