A feasibility trial of acupuncture in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a feasibility trial of acupuncture in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment. The trial included training radiographers to deliver acupuncture within patients' routine NHS care. METHODS: Mixed methods pragmatic randomized parallel-group exploratory feasibility trial comparing standard care to standard care plus acupuncture. RESULTS: Most aspects of the research design and acupuncture intervention were acceptable to the 101 participants. Participants' valued the opportunity to receive acupuncture within their NHS care, perceived the treatment as eliciting a number of beneficial effects, and had a positive impact on their NHS cancer treatment. However, quantitative analysis of outcome measure data revealed no consistent significant differences between those receiving standard care and those receiving standard care plus acupuncture. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to implement acupuncture in a busy radiotherapy unit provided by specially trained radiographers. The methodology employed appears acceptable for the evaluation of acupuncture for radiotherapy patients.

A feasibility study of a psycho-educational support intervention for men with prostate cancer on active surveillance.

BACKGROUND: PROACTIVE is a psycho-educational support intervention for prostate cancer patients managed on Active Surveillance. PROACTIVE is composed of two interdependent components: group workshops and internet-delivered information modules. AIMS: We conducted a feasibility study to determine the practicality of delivering PROACTIVE at two prostate cancer centres. METHODS AND RESULTS: The feasibility study was a mixed-methods randomized parallel-group exploratory trial. Participants were randomised using a ratio of 3:1 PROACTIVE group to treatment as usual. Qualitative semi-structured interviews and quantitative measures were completed at baseline, intervention completion (week 6), and at 6-month follow-up. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically using Framework analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to examine recruitment and retention rates and changing trends in outcome measures. Most aspects of the research design and PROACTIVE intervention were acceptable to those participating in the study. In particular, participants valued the opportunity to share and discuss experiences with other prostate cancer patients on Active Surveillance and receive detailed authoritative information. However, three issues were identified: (a) a low response rate (13 participants recruited, response rate 16%), (b) low utilisation of internet delivered information modules, (c) self-perceived low levels of anxiety amongst participants with the majority perceiving their cancer as not impacting on their day-to-day life or causing anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: Due to these significant research design issues, it is not recommended PROACTIVE be evaluated in a large-scale randomised controlled trial. Further research is required to explore the impact of Active Surveillance on anxiety amongst men with localized prostate cancer managed by Active Surveillance.

Report on the 2014 UKONS Annual Conference Belfast, 14-15 November 2014: focus on living with and beyond cancer, patient information and support, and innovations in treatment and care.

The UK Oncology Nursing Society's (UKONS) annual conference focused on three major themes. These were 'Living With and Beyond Cancer', 'Patient Information and Support', and 'Innovations in Treatment and Care'. It featured a wide range of presentations, industry satellites, exhibitions, poster discussions. and workshops. Presenters ranged from those eminent in their particular field to those gracing the speaker's podium for the first time. The rich variety of presentations covered policy, cancer trends, clinical developments, care initiatives, personal development, and advances in practice. There was a strong emphasis on skills, knowledge, values, and attitudes, with the most junior and novice nurses mixing with experienced and highly esteemed practitioners.