Journal of pain and symptom management
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2021
Case ReportsOpioid Induced Constipation and Acupuncture: A Case Discussion.
Use of acupuncture for treatment of functional constipation is well studied; however, studies examining use of acupuncture for opioid-induced constipation are limited. ⋯ Acupuncture for opioid-induced constipation may provide symptom relief through use of nonpharmacologic interventions; however, further studies are needed to determine the optimal therapeutic approach.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2021
Outcomes of Specialty Palliative Care Interventions for Patients with Hematologic Malignancies: A Systematic Review.
The outcomes of specialty palliative care (PC) interventions for patients with hematologic malignancies (HMs) is under-investigated. ⋯ Specialty PC interventions improve healthcare outcomes for patients with HMs and should be implemented early and often. There remains a need for additional studies investigating PC use exclusively in patients with HMs.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2021
Multicenter Study Observational StudyClinical predictors for analgesic response to radiotherapy in patients with painful bone metastases.
Radiotherapy (RT) reduces pain in about 60% of patients with painful bone metastases, leaving many patients without clinical benefit. This study assesses predictors for RT effectiveness in patients with painful bone metastases. ⋯ This study supports previous findings that better performance status and type of cancer diagnosis predicts analgesic RT response, and new data showing that soft tissue expansion predicts RT response and that corticosteroids is a negative predictor for RT response in patients with painful bone metastases.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · Oct 2021
ReviewThe Palliative Care information needs of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and their informal caregivers: a scoping review.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease, associated with impaired quality of life for patients and caregivers. As treatment is largely supportive, early involvement of palliative care (PC) is recommended as standard of care. Despite this, literature surrounding PC information needs is limited. ⋯ ALS patients and caregivers have unique and varying PC information needs. Future research should better characterize these needs to improve patient and caregiver quality of life. The delivery of information must be tailored to individual patient or caregiver preferences.
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While medical end-of-life planning has been well characterized, less is known about non-medical planning to prepare for the end of life. ⋯ There is variability in both the prevalence of and factors associated with engagement in non-medical EOL planning activities. The association of non-medical with medical planning activities supports the utility of programs assisting individuals with broad engagement in EOL planning.