Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialThe Role of Inflammation in the Pain, Fatigue, and Sleep Disturbance Symptom Cluster in Advanced Cancer.
Symptom researchers have proposed a model of inflammatory cytokine activity and dysregulation in cancer to explain co-occurring symptoms including pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. ⋯ The proposed inflammatory model of symptoms was partially supported. Investigators should test interventions that target stress as a contributing factor in co-occurring pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance and explore other factors that may influence inflammatory biomarker levels within the context of an advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes the inherent dignity, the equal and unalienable rights to be universally protected for all humans irrespective of race, color, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Though this includes the right to dignity-conserving care for terminally ill unauthorized immigrants, access to quality end-of-life care eludes them. Most of the estimated 11.3 million unauthorized immigrants either entered the country without the knowledge of the U. ⋯ Lack of opportunity for advance care planning discussions and lack of eligibility to hospice services commonly contributes to poor end of life care. As unauthorized immigrants approach the last days of life, they may often die alone, away from their loved ones, with little-to-no psychosocial support in their final moments. This article provides an overview on end-of-life care for unauthorized immigrants and makes recommendations for potential strategies to providing humane care and support to this vulnerable population.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2018
Communicating Caregivers' Challenges With Cancer Pain Management: An Analysis of Home Hospice Visits.
Family caregivers (FCGs) of hospice cancer patients face significant challenges related to pain management. Addressing many of these challenges requires effective communication between FCGs and hospice nurses, yet little empirical evidence exists on the nature of communication about pain management between hospice nurses and FCGs. ⋯ To optimize hospice patients' comfort and reduce caregivers' anxiety and burden related to pain management, hospice nurses need to assess and address caregivers' pain management challenges during home visits. Communication and educational tools designed to reduce caregivers' barriers to pain management would likely improve clinical practice and both patient- and caregiver-related outcomes.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2018
Observational Study Pragmatic Clinical TrialA Pragmatic Evaluation of Symptom Distress After Group Meditation for Cancer Patients and Caregivers: A Preliminary Report.
Complementary health approaches such as meditation may help improve cancer patient and caregiver symptoms, yet little research has examined the clinical application of these programs. ⋯ A single meditation group class offered as part of clinical care resulted in relief of multiple self-reported symptoms in both patients and caregivers.