Management of cancer-related fatigue in Taiwan: an evidence-based consensus for screening, assessment and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common and persistent issues experienced by cancer patients. Cancer-related fatigue is a distinct form of fatigue that is subjective, long-lasting and unalleviated by rest or sleep. Studies have shown that almost all cancer patients experience severe fatigue that disrupts the quality of life and physical function, but cancer-related fatigue remains under-addressed in clinical care, and only about half of all patients receive treatment. METHODS: To increase the awareness of cancer-related fatigue and improve current management, the Taiwan Society of Cancer Palliative Medicine and the Taiwan Oncology Nursing Society convened a consensus committee to develop recommendations for the screening, assessment and treatment of cancer-related fatigue. RESULTS: Thirteen consensus recommendations were subsequently developed based on the best available evidence and the clinical experience of committee members. CONCLUSIONS: These recommendations are expected to facilitate the standardization of cancer-related fatigue management across Taiwan and may also serve as a reference for other clinicians.

Determining factors affecting job strain for nurse practitioners in acute care practice.

PURPOSE: To investigate nurse practitioners' (NPs) experience of job strain in acute care settings, and to examine the factors that may affect job strain in that context. DESIGN: Descriptive design using a national survey was employed. METHODS: A total of 1396 NPs completed online surveys that recorded demographic characteristics and included a Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), a Condition for Work Effectiveness Questionnaire (CWEQ), and the Dempster Practice Behavior Scale (DPBS). Multiple logistic regressions were conducted to explore the factors associated with job strain types. FINDINGS: NPs were classified into job strain categories of passive (24.4%), active (31.4%), low (19.2%), or high (24.9%). The passive job strain type was associated with overtime hours, organizational empowerment, and autonomy. The active job type was associated with higher organizational empowerment and autonomy. The high-strain and low-strain job types were both associated with overtime hours and autonomy. CONCLUSION: Nearly 25% of acute care NPs are in a high job strain type. Organizational empowerment and autonomy were two major factors associated with the passive and active job strain types. Overtime hours and autonomy were both associated with the high-strain and low-strain job types. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Supportive hospital/nursing leadership should acknowledge the impact of NP practice as they can contribute to the operational efficacy of their organization. Hospital administrators should provide a supportive practice environment by empowering NPs, enhancing autonomy, and addressing working conditions for NPs to decrease the odds of having a passive or high-strain job type in practice.

Cancer pain and lower functional status predict poor trajectories of symptom and fatigue distress in patients with lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To identify distinct subgroups of patients newly diagnosed with lung cancer (LC) over time and to explore the predictors of distinct trajectories of symptom and fatigue distress in LC patients. METHODS: A total of 120 patients newly diagnosed with LC were recruited in this longitudinal prospective study. Our survey investigated patients' symptoms in 6 months. Latent growth curve analysis (LGCA) was conducted to identify patients with distinct trajectories of symptom and fatigue distress. The characteristics of the patients among groups were compared for statistical differences by the chi-square test or ANOVA. RESULTS: The results of LGCA revealed that the linear three-trajectory model had the best model fit for symptom and fatigue distress. Patients' symptom and fatigue distress improved with time, except for patients with increasing trajectories. Patients' trajectories of symptom and fatigue distress were affected by pain, lower functional status, total symptom score and depression. Moreover, patients with increasing trajectories of symptom and fatigue distress experienced more pain, physiological symptoms and depression from 1 to 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Pain and functional status were the major factors that deteriorated the recovery of trajectory in symptom distress and fatigue distress among patients with increasing trajectories.

The effectiveness of a participatory program on fall prevention in oncology patients.

Falls are known to be one of the most common in patient adverse events. A high incidence of falls was reported on patients with cancer. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of a participatory program on patient's knowledge and self-efficacy of fall prevention and fall incidence in an oncology ward. In this quasi-experimental study, 68 participants were recruited at a medical centre in Taiwan. A 20-min fall prevention program was given to patients. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the effectiveness of program after on day 3 of intervention. The data of fall incidence rates were collected from hospital record. Fall incidences with and without the program were used to compare the effectiveness of intervention. The patients' knowledge and self-efficacy of fall prevention are better than after intervention. A statistically significant difference in fall incidence rate was observed with (0.0%) and without (19.3%) the program. Our findings suggest that the fact of the bedside is that the most risk for falling in hospital must be communicated to the hospitalized patients. Educating patients about fall prevention and activities associated with falling increases their awareness of the potential of falling and promoting patient safety.

Deletion of CPEB3 enhances hippocampus-dependent memory via increasing expressions of PSD95 and NMDA receptors.

Long-term memory requires activity-dependent synthesis of plasticity-related proteins (PRPs) to strengthen synaptic efficacy and consequently consolidate memory. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein (CPEB)3 is a sequence-specific RNA-binding protein that regulates translation of several PRP RNAs in neurons. To understand whether CPEB3 plays a part in learning and memory, we generated CPEB3 knock-out (KO) mice and found that the null mice exhibited enhanced hippocampus-dependent, short-term fear memory in the contextual fear conditioning test and long-term spatial memory in the Morris water maze. The basal synaptic transmission of Schaffer collateral-CA1 neurons was normal but long-term depression evoked by paired-pulse low-frequency stimulation was modestly facilitated in the juvenile KO mice. Molecular and cellular characterizations revealed several molecules in regulating plasticity of glutamatergic synapses are translationally elevated in the CPEB3 KO neurons, including the scaffolding protein PSD95 and the NMDA receptors along with the known CPEB3 target, GluA1. Together, CPEB3 functions as a negative regulator to confine the strength of glutamatergic synapses by downregulating the expression of multiple PRPs and plays a role underlying certain forms of hippocampus-dependent memories.

Rapid and highly sensitive detection of Enterovirus 71 by using nanogold-enhanced electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection is an emerging infectious disease causing neurological complications and/or death within two to three days after the development of fever and rash. A low viral titre in clinical specimens makes the detection of EV71 difficult. Conventional approaches for detecting EV71 are time consuming, poorly sensitive, or complicated, and cannot be used effectively for clinical diagnosis. Furthermore, EV71 and Coxsackie virus A16 (CA16) may cross react in conventional assays. Therefore, a rapid, highly sensitive, specific, and user-friendly test is needed. We developed an EV71-specific nanogold-modified working electrode for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the detection of EV71. Our results show that EV71 can be distinguished from CA16, Herpes simplex virus, and lysozyme, with the modified nanogold electrode being able to detect EV71 in concentrations as low as 1 copy number/50 µl reaction volume, and the duration between sample preparation and detection being 11 min. This detection platform may have the potential for use in point-of-care diagnostics.

The prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression among women during the early postpartum period: a retrospective secondary data analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Postpartum depression (PPD) is common and detrimental affecting both maternal health and child development. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors of PPD screened immediately after delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study design using secondary data analysis is applied. Four years of data, containing linkable maternal, neonate and PPD screen records between 2014 and 2018, was retrieved and combined from the electronic medical systems of MacKay Memorial Hospital in Taiwan. For each woman, the PPD screen record contained self-reported depressive symptoms assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) within 48-72 h after delivery. A set of factors pertaining to maternal, pregnancy and obstetric, neonatal and breastfeeding were selected from the combined data set. RESULTS: In total, 10.2% (1244 of 12,198) of women reported with the symptoms of PPD (EPDS ≥10). Through logistic regression analysis, eight predictors of PPD were identified. Specifically, PPD was shown to be associated with educational level of high school or lower (odds ratio (OR) = 1.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27-1.93), marital status of unmarried (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.18-1.99), unemployed (OR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.11-1.42), Cesarean section (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.5-1.93), unplanned pregnancy (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.22-1.57), gestational age at 24-36 weeks (OR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.08-1.56), non-intention of breastfeeding (OR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.18-2.45) and Apgar at 5 min < 7 (OR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.11-4.29). CONCLUSION: Low educational level, unmarried, unemployed, Caesarean section, unplanned pregnancy, preterm delivery, not breastfeeding and low Apgar at 5 min are predictors for postpartum women to develop PPD. These predictors are easily recognized in the clinical environment for patient guidance, support and referral as early as possible to ensure the health and well-being of the mothers and the neonates.

Team-based learning complemented by interactive response system: Application of a strategy on the course of human growth and development for nursing students.

OBJECTIVE: Lecture-based learning (LBL) strategy cannot stimulate learners' ability to think and learn independently. Recently team-based learning (TBL), a learner-centered strategy, gained popularity in health education. An interactive response system (IRS) assists educators in providing instant feedback on classroom activities. This study was to evaluate the TBL strategy supplemented by IRS (TBL/IRS) on the learning effects of the core course, the human growth and development (HGD), in nursing education. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study design with two-group, pretests and posttests was employed with year-one students enrolled in two HGD classes in the nursing department of a university in central Taiwan. Both HGD classes employed the LBL method at the beginning of a semester. TBL/IRS strategy was introduced to the experimental class 6 weeks later. Three scales were used to measure self-directed learning, classroom engagement, and team learning. Individual and group readiness assurance tests (IRATs and GRATs) were administered. Final exams were also compared between the groups. For thematic analysis, learners' experience with TBL/IRS was collected from learner reports and a semi-structured questionnaire designed for the study. RESULTS: A total of 105 learners-48 in TBL/IRS and 55 in LBL-were recruited. Self-directed learning, classroom engagement and team learning were improved significantly in TBL/IRS whereas only self-directed learning was improved in LBL. In the TBL/IRS group, GRAT scores were significantly higher than IRAT. However, the difference in final exams between the groups was non-significant. Four themes emerged from learners' experiences with TBL/IRS: stimulate self-learning; a diverse and flexible learning method; promote high-level thinking and deepen learning results; and, cultivate teamwork and application. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that TBL/IRS was effective in enhancing learners' abilities to integrate concepts and skills, thereby cultivating competence in problem-solving and teamwork. The TBL/IRS strategy was cost-effective in promoting active learning of HGD in nursing students.

Demoralization syndrome among cancer outpatients in Taiwan.

GOALS: This paper aims to explore characteristics of demoralization syndrome as well as the relationship between demoralization syndrome and psychosocial issues as seen through examinations of cancer outpatients in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Outpatients with different cancer types were enrolled in this study. The Demoralization Scale Mandarin Version (DS-MV), Patient Health Questionnaire, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire-Taiwan Version were used as instruments. All data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: Among the 234 patients studied (97 men and 223 women), the majority had cervical cancer (29.1%), followed by breast cancer (26.5%) and head and neck cancer (24.3%). The mean score of DS-MV was 31.05 (SD 14.87). The results of ANOVA analysis showed a significant effect of occupation F(4.209) = 7.145 (p < 0.001), cancer diagnosis F(7.206) = 3.795 (p < 0.001), and treatment F(8.206) = 3.553 (p < 0.001) on DS-MV. CONCLUSIONS: Demoralization syndrome was found to be related to psychosocial issues, different cancer types, and treatments. Further studies are recommended to better understand causes and impacts of demoralization in the quality of life and care of cancer patients.

Pregnancy-Related Stress Among Pregnant Women Receiving Tocolytic and Non-Tocolytic Treatments Where Both Used Complementary Medicine.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the pregnancy stress among pregnant women in receiving tocolytic and non-tocolytic treatments where both used complementary medicine. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 35 pregnant women receiving tocolytic treatment and 35 receiving non-tocolytic treatment, where both used complementary medicine in a medical center in central Taiwan. A basic information questionnaire that contained demographic variables and types of complementary medicine used and the Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale were used for the analysis. Results: The types of complementary medicines were surveyed using the multiple-choice questionnaire. Natural products (77.5%) were most commonly used by pregnant women receiving tocolytic treatment, followed by alternative medicine (13.75%), manipulative and body-based practices (5%), and mind and body medicine (3.75%). In pregnant women who were receiving non-tocolytic treatment, natural products (59.1%) were most commonly used, followed by manipulative and body-based practices (16.4%), alternative medicine (15.4%), mind and body medicine (7.3%), and energy therapy (1.8%). According to the analysis of covariance test results, while both used complementary medicine in groups, pregnant women receiving tocolytic treatment were less stressed than those who were receiving non-tocolytic treatment (Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale score, p = 0.038), especially in dimension 2 (stress caused by infant care and changes in family relationships) (p = 0.015) and dimension 5 (stress caused by changes in physical appearance and function) (p = 0.008), which showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Linear regression analysis results showed that the gestational age significantly associated with pregnancy stress (Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale score, p = 0.029; dimension 2, p = 0.016; and dimension 5, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Among both who used complementary medicine, pregnancy stress was significantly lower in pregnant women who were receiving tocolytic treatment than in those who were receiving non-tocolytic treatment. This finding can be used as a reference for future pregnant women's health studies.

Corrigendum: Pregnancy-related stress among pregnant women receiving tocolytic and non-tocolytic treatments where both used complementary medicine.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.870659.].

Postoperative Lifestyle of Patients with Liver Cancer: An Exploratory Study in a Single Center in Taiwan.

Various treatments are available for patients with liver cancer; however, complications after treatment affect their quality of life (QOL). To improve the QOL of patients with liver cancer, this study investigated the postoperative lifestyle of sixty patients at the Liouying District Hospital, Taiwan. A self-reported structured questionnaire and a modified Chinese version of the Health Enhancement Lifestyle Profile (HELP-C) were used to collect the demographic data and to assess patients' overall postoperative lifestyle, respectively. Significant differences were observed between the overall postoperative lifestyle and the demographic variables of age, ethnicity, education level, marital status, chronic diseases, and postoperative complications (p < 0.05). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the HELP-C domains of diet, leisure, and activities of daily living (ADL) between the sexes. The scores for diet (9.66 ± 4.21) and leisure (4.33 ± 2.03) in women were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those in men (13.13 ± 4.98 and 6.17 ± 2.37, respectively), indicating that women with liver cancer should be more concerned about diet and leisure after surgery. However, the score for ADL was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in women (17.90 ± 5.15) than in men (13.48 ± 2.56), indicating that men should focus on improving ADL. This research provides reference clinical data on the postoperative lifestyle of patients with liver cancer to improve their QOL.

Together through the valley of death: Lived experience of case managers to meet the informational needs of gynecologic cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVES: Case managers are crucial providers of health education and consultation for patients with gynecologic cancer to satisfy their informational needs. The purpose of this study is to understand the experience of case managers working to meet the needs of these patients in order to further improve their overall quality of care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative study employed. Twenty case managers recruited from Taiwanese healthcare institutes using purposive sampling. Participants were interviewed in semi-structure fashion. All interviews were verbatim transcribed. The steps of Giorgi's phenomenological method were used to analyze the transcripts. RESULTS: Three major themes and twelve subthemes emerged. Major themes were associated with cancer development: (1) during diagnosis, build a communication bridge and provide appropriate treatment early on, become consultants; (2) during treatment, provide comprehensive medical care for cancer, become the patient's manager; (3) during follow-ups, assist patients to comprehend and adapt to living with cancer, return to society and the original pace of life. CONCLUSION: Case managers accompany patients with gynecologic cancer and address their problems to other medical professional. The informational needs of patients with gynecologic cancer differ along the course of the disease. It is important for cancer care manager to deliver the information of individualized health care in timely manner to ensure the overall quality of care for patients with gynecologic cancer.

Food Away From Home and Self-Perceived Gastrointestinal Health.

Dietary behavior is a critical lifestyle factor affecting health. This study aimed to investigate food away from home (FAFH) and its effect on gastrointestinal (GI) health. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted with 300 participants at a hospital in Liouying, Taiwan. The survey collected demographic information and data on FAFH and GI health. The association of GI health with FAFH consumption behavior was significant (t-test, p < 0.05). Bodyweight status was associated with age (F = 5.01, p = 0.01), dietary situation (F = 1.96, p = 0.04), number of meals (F = 1.85, p = 0.03), dietary preferences (F = 2.84, p = 0), reasons for FAFH (F = 1.86, p = 0.02), FAFH types (F = 2.01, p = 0), and outcomes associated with FAFH (F = 2.51, p = 0). Gastrointestinal condition was associated with the number of meals (F = 2.55, p = 0), the level of activity after meals (F = 2.16, p = 0.02), and FAFH type (F = 1.48, p = 0.04). The results indicated that the participants aged 20-40 years had more problems related to their self-perceived body weight status than those aged 41-50 years. The results of this study clarify the FAFH among people in Taiwan and the effects on GI health and may serve as a reference for relevant behavioral research in food and health studies.

Life experiences and disease trajectories in women coexisting with ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the lived experiences of ovarian cancer survivors amid the disease trajectory and psychosocial adaptation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one women, all of whom were ovarian cancer survivors, were recruited from medical centers in Taiwan. In-depth, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted and transcribed verbatim from audio recordings. The sample size was determined by information saturation during data collection. The steps of data process and analysis were performed using Giorgi's phenomenology. RESULTS: Three themes and 12 subthemes were extracted: (1) a depressed state, as if facing a fierce enemy: being sentenced to a death penalty like facing an insurmountable challenge; contradictory information and helplessness; turnaround for treatment decision; and facing stigmatization from society; (2) shadow of cancer recurrence: side-effects of cancer treatment; falling into desperation and frustration; worrying about cancer recurrence; and continuing to fight cancer; (3) a change of mindset to move forward: experiencing changes in outlook on life; activating the self-healing process; coexisting with cancer and treating it as a chronic disease; and experiencing physical and mental purification and enhancement. CONCLUSION: The conventional models caring for patients with ovarian cancer are based on disease and unable to meet their needs because the lengthy rehabilitation journey. Therefore, medical personnel should emphasize patients' medical autonomy and combine professional care and social resources to help patients developing adjustment strategies and establishing support systems in timely manner for body, mind, and soul of these patients.

Smartphone education improves embarrassment, bowel preparation, and satisfaction with care in patients receiving colonoscopy: A randomized controlled trail.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is considered a safe and effective tool for detecting colorectal cancer. Nevertheless, the proportion of patients are hesitating to receive colonoscopy. Smartphone education may decrease the barrier of colonoscopy. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of smartphone education in colonoscopy. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, double-blinded, randomized, controlled study to examine the effectiveness of smartphone education on embarrassment, bowel preparation, and satisfaction in colonoscopy. The patients' embarrassment was measured by the colonoscopy embarrassment scale. The quality of the bowel preparation was evaluated by gastroenterologists according to the Aronchik Scale. The satisfaction of colonoscopy care was assessed by a satisfaction scale developed by the authors. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were analyzed in the smartphone education and control groups (n = 75 in each group). The smartphone education group reported fewer embarrassment (B = -2.78, P = .02) than those of the control group, the patients who were older (B = .15, P = .001) and who were male (B = 2.91, P = .003) showed higher embarrassment. Additionally, smartphone education group were likely to have better colon preparation (odds ratio = 2.46, 95% confidence interval: 1.20-5.02) than that of the control group. Smartphone education also improved the satisfaction with care (ß = 4.60, P < .001), and above normal body mass index decreased the satisfaction with care (ß = -0.19, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Smartphone education improves embarrassment, bowel preparation, and satisfaction with care in patients receiving colonoscopy.

Induction of high-frequency oscillations in a junction-coupled network.

Rhythmic oscillations of up to 600 Hz in grouped neurons frequently occur in the brains of animals. These high-frequency oscillations can be sustained in calcium-free conditions and may be blocked by gap junction blockers, implying a key role for electrical synapses in oscillation generation. Mathematical theories have been developed to demonstrate oscillations mediated by electrical synapses without chemical modulation; however, these models have not been verified in animals. Here we report that oscillations of up to 686 Hz are induced by paired spikes of short spike intervals (SIs) in a junction-coupled network. To initiate oscillations, it was essential that the second spike was elicited during the relative refractory period. The second spike suffered from slow propagation speed and failure to transmit through a low-conductance junction. Thus, at the spike initiation site, paired spikes of short SIs triggered one transjunctional spike in the postsynaptic neuron. At distant synaptic sites, two transjunctional spikes were produced as the SI increased during spike propagation. Consequently, spike collision of these asymmetrical transjunctional spikes occurred in the interconnected network. The remaining single spike reverberated in a network serving as an oscillator center. Paired-spike-induced oscillations were modeled by computer simulation and verified electrophysiologically in a network that mediates the tail-flip escape response of crayfish.

Multidimensional Pain Inventory-Screening Chinese version (MPI-sC): psychometric testing in terminal cancer patients in Taiwan.

INTRODUCTION: Cancer pain is identified as a multidimensional experience, but relatively few brief instruments are available for assessing the complex pain-related experiences of terminal cancer patients in Taiwan. The purposes of this study were to (1) translate and examine the feasibility and psychometric characteristics of the eight-item Multidimensional Pain Inventory-Screening Chinese (MPI-sC) when used with patients having terminal cancer and (2) apply the MPI-sC to examine multidimensional pain-related experiences of terminal cancer patients in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MPI-sC was tested in 106 terminal cancer inpatients at a hospice setting in Taipei. RESULTS: The results showed that the MPI-sC has satisfactory face and content validity, feasibility, acceptable internal consistency reliability (overall Cronbach's alpha of 0.75), and overall support of theoretical assumptions. However, instead of the four-factor structure of the original instrument, we found a three-factor structure (with pain intensity and pain interference merged into one factor) that explained 76.73% of the variance. Close to half the patients (48.1%) had considerable levels of pain interference, and a majority (72.6%) reported not having control in life based on the cut-point of MPI-sC categorization. CONCLUSION: Our results support the brief MPI-sC as a feasible and valid tool for assessing and representing multidimensional pain experiences in terminal cancer patients. The MPI-sC could help clinicians and researchers assess the complex multidimensional pain experiences of terminal cancer patients, including Chinese-speaking cancer populations.

Translation and validation of Taiwan Chinese version of the self-regulation questionnaire for gynecologic cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE: To culturally adapt the self-regulation questionnaire to the Taiwan Chinese version (TC-SRQ) and to evaluate its psychometric properties for gynecologic cancer survivors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was employed with a purposive sample of 287 gynecologic cancer survivors. The TC-SRQ was adapted from a Germany version through back-translation to ensure its quality. For construct validity, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to assess the TC-SRQ measurement model with fit indexes including the χ2 test, the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), and the normed fit index (NFI), the comparative fit index (CFI), and non-normed fit indices (NNFI). For concurrent validity, the Taiwanese version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's 30-item core quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30) questionnaire was used as a criterion measure for quality of life (QOL). Reliability was evaluated by internal consistency and test-retest reliability. RESULTS: For a modified measurement model of TC-SRQ, the model fit (χ2 = 311.23, P = .0; RMSEA = .088; NFI = .97, CFI = .98, NNFI = .97) was acceptable. The evidence of construct validity of TC-SRQ scale was confirmed by the model estimates. TC-SRQ correlated positively with the global QOL, physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning domains, and negatively with fatigue and pain domains of EORTC QLQ-C30. For known groups validity, TC-SRQ was correlated with groups attributed by age, family support, health status, and sleep quality. A Cronbach's α of .91 indicated good internal consistency; the test-retest reliability was .82. CONCLUSIONS: TC-SRQ is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing self-regulation in gynecologic cancer survivors.

Chinese Version of the Assessment of Survivor Concerns Scale for Gynecological Cancer Survivors: A Psychometric Study in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Most gynecological cancer survivors outlive the acute stage, and many reach permanent survival. However, the fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is stressful and affects quality of life. PURPOSE: This study was designed to validate a Chinese version of the Assessment of Survivor Concerns (ASC) questionnaire in terms of its ability to assess FCR in gynecological cancer survivors. METHODS: A two-stage study procedure was employed. The first stage involved the translation of the ASC questionnaire from English into Chinese using the methods proposed by Guillemin, which include translation, back-translation, consensus meetings, and a trial of potential users. In the second stage, a pilot study was completed with 37 gynecological cancer survivors followed by a psychometric property study with 287 gynecological cancer survivors. Construct validity was determined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with structural equation modeling. Convergent validity was determined using composite reliability and the average variance extracted values of the ASC model. Discriminant validity was determined by comparing the model fitness of the ASC model against the model fitness of a one-construct model. Concurrent criterion validity was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Core 30 as the auxiliary instrument. Reliability was determined by measuring the internal consistency reliability using Cronbach's α in addition to the 3-week test-retest reliability with a 95% confidence interval of the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The process of translation and back-translation was performed to ensure the conceptual equivalence of the Chinese version with the original ASC questionnaire. For CFA, the fit indices of the ASC model (χ = 9.87, p > .05; root mean square error of approximation = .03. comparative fit index = 1, nonnormed fit index = 1) indicated appropriate model fitness. For convergent validity, the composite reliability and average variance extracted values of the ASC model were satisfactory. For discriminant validity, the model fitness of the ASC model was significantly improved over the one-construct model. For concurrent criterion validity, the ASC scores correlated negatively with the scores of the global quality of life and the five functions (physical, role, cognition, emotions, and social) of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer's Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Core 30, as hypothesized. For reliability, the Cronbach's α and the 95% confidence interval of intraclass correlation coefficient for the ASC model were .91 and [.18, .68], respectively. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The Chinese version of the ASC questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument that is suitable for assessing FCR in gynecological cancer survivors in clinical and research settings.