RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility of an intervention using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer and Problem List with nurse-guided follow-up and the effect on depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life, and worry of cancer in patients with head and neck cancer.â©. SAMPLE & SETTING: 110 patients with head and neck cancer in a two-arm randomized, controlled trial in an outpatient clinic of a university hospital. â©. METHODS & VARIABLES: Patients were randomized to usual care (n = 57) or the intervention group (n = 53), which consisted of screening with the Distress Thermometer and Problem List plus nurse-guided follow-up lasting about 20 minutes three to four times during 12 months. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed using linear mixed models with outcomes at 6 and 12 months and baseline adjustment.â©. RESULTS: The intervention showed moderate compliance and acceptable session duration. Intervention participants were satisfied with nurses' care. Depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life, and worry of cancer were not significantly different in the two treatment groups. The intervention seemed feasible in clinical practice, but no effects on patient outcomes were seen.â©. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Patients with head and neck cancer appreciated the opportunity to discuss their problems and challenges with a nurse. Nurses supported patients with basic psychosocial care, minor interventions, and referral possibilities.
Asunto(s)
Ansiedad/etiología , Depresión/etiología , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/enfermería , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/psicología , Enfermería Oncológica/métodos , Pacientes/psicología , Estrés Psicológico/diagnóstico , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Ansiedad/enfermería , Depresión/enfermería , Femenino , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/complicaciones , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Relaciones Enfermero-Paciente , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/psicología , Calidad de Vida/psicología , Estrés Psicológico/enfermería , Espera Vigilante , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility of the nursing programme 'Coping with Itch' and the effect of the programme on the frequency and intensity of itching and scratching, itch-related coping, skin-related psychosocial morbidity and quality of life. BACKGROUND: Itch is a major symptom of many chronic skin diseases and has a considerable impact on the quality of life. Therefore, the nursing programme 'Coping with Itch' has been developed and implemented at the outpatient departments of dermatology of one university and one general hospital in the Netherlands. The programme is intended to reduce itch and to help the patient cope with his or her itch. DESIGN AND METHODS: The feasibility of the programme has been determined by interviewing the nurses who carried out the programme, dermatologists and one medical social worker and by counting the number of visits and specific interventions. The effect of the nursing care programme 'Coping with Itch' was evaluated in 32 patients with pruritic skin diseases. Paired t-tests were used to determine its effect after three and nine months. RESULTS: The nursing programme 'Coping with Itch' proved to be practically feasible. It leads to a significant reduction of the frequency and intensity of itching and scratching, to a significant reduction of catastrophizing and helpless coping and to a significant reduction of skin-related psychosocial morbidity in the short term. These results stabilized at nine months. No changes were found in the quality of life. CONCLUSION: The nursing programme 'Coping with Itch' is a promising intervention for patients with chronic pruritic skin diseases.