Virtual reality for pain management in hospitalized patients with cancer: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized patients with cancer often experience acute and/or chronic pain. Although virtual reality (VR) has been extensively studied across a wide range of clinical settings, no studies have yet evaluated potential impact on pain management in this patient population. METHODS: Prospective randomized controlled trial at an urban academic hospital comparing VR against an active control to mitigate moderate-severe cancer disease and treatment-related pain. RESULTS: A total of 128 adult hospitalized patients with cancer (any tumor type) were randomized to 10 minutes of immersive VR distraction therapy or 10 minutes of two-dimensional guided imagery distraction therapy delivered by handheld tablet. Participants in the two arms were similar in age, sex, race, presence of metastatic disease, concurrent pain specialist consultation, and baseline opioid use. Although both groups experienced improved self-reported pain scores (primary outcome), those randomized to VR experienced significantly greater reduction in pain immediately after intervention compared with active control (p = .03). This difference was sustained for 24 hours as well (p = .004). Within-group analysis showed significant improvement in VR arm of pain bothersomeness (p = .05) and general distress (p = .03) as well. CONCLUSION: Among hospitalized adult patients with moderate-severe pain related to cancer and cancer therapies, VR provided more nonpharmacologic pain relief than active control and this benefit sustained long after conclusion of the intervention. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Virtual reality (VR), a developing technology that immerses the user in new environments, has been shown to improve pain in different patient populations. To test the role of VR in improving pain in hospitalized patients with cancer who report moderate-severe pain, we compared the impact of a 10-minute immersive VR intervention to that of a 10-minute two-dimensional guided imagery experience to improve self-reported pain scores. We found that, although both interventions improved pain, VR did so significantly more. Moreover, participants assigned to VR had sustained improvement in pain 24 hours later.

A Narrative Review of the Current Research in Cancer-Related Pain Inequities: The Necessity of Applying Intersectionality to Advance Cancer Pain Research.

Cancer-related pain has a significant impact on quality of life for patients with cancer. In populations without cancer, there are documented pain inequities associated with minoritized racial and/or ethnic groups, women, and low socioeconomic status. However, our understanding of pain inequities specifically among patients with cancer remains incomplete. We narratively synthesized published quantitative research on cancer-related pain inequities in the US in the past decade. A search identified 17 English-language articles examining pain for patients with various cancer types at different treatment stages. Our review revealed mixed findings comparing cancer-related pain by racial group (e.g., Black vs White) and sex (male vs female), but consistent findings indicating that people with lower (vs higher) socioeconomic status and younger (vs older) patients report more cancer-related pain. Research on cancer pain among sexual and gender minorities remains scant. Key research gaps include a need for more research that incorporates an intersectional perspective by exploring intersecting subgroups and measuring social and structural processes that drive pain inequities. These findings underscore an important need for researchers to use an intersectional approach to cancer pain to help elucidate key populations at-risk for exacerbated cancer-related pain and identify ways to mitigate social and structural processes that drive these inequities.

There are known differences in pain experiences among people from different racial or ethnic groups, sex (male or female) or gender (men or women), and socioeconomic groups such as low income people. However, we don't fully understand these differences among cancer patients yet. This review looks at the past 10 years of research on how cancer-related pain may differ for people from different sociodemographic groups. We collected information from 17 studies in the US that looked at how pain from different types of cancer and different stages of treatment may differ for people from these different groups. We found mixed results when comparing pain between racial groups and sex and/or gender groups, but consistently found that people with lower incomes and younger patients reported more pain. There's not much research on how cancer pain affects sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQ+ people). Our review suggests that we need an intersectional approach to best understand cancer-related pain in order to best address how structural discrimination influences pain. Researchers should use an intersectional perspective, which will help us find out who's most at risk of severe cancer pain and find ways to help them better.

Association Between Patient Race and Ethnicity and Outcomes With COVID-19: A Retrospective Analysis From a Large Mid-Atlantic Health System.

BACKGROUND: Members of racial and ethnic minority groups have been disproportionately impacted by coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19). The objective of the study is to describe associations between race and ethnicity on clinical outcomes such as need for mechanical ventilation and mortality. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients with severe COVID-19 infection admitted within a large, not-for-profit healthcare system in the mid-Atlantic region between March and July, 2020. Patient demographic data and clinical outcomes were abstracted from the electronic health record. Logistic regressions were performed to estimate associations between race and ethnicity and the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: The study population (N = 2931) was stratified into 1 of 3 subgroups: non-Hispanic White (n = 466), non-Hispanic Black (n = 1611), and Hispanic (n = 654). The average age of White, Black, and Hispanic patients was 69 ± 17.06, 64 ± 15.9, and 50 ± 15.53 years old, respectively (P < .001). Compared to White patients, Black and Hispanic patients were at increased odds of needing mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19 pneumonia (odds ratio [OR] Black = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04 to 1.75, P < .05; OR Hispanic = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.93, P < .05). When compared to White patients, Hispanic patients were at decreased odds of death (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.32 to 0.63, P < .001). However, when adjusting for age, there were no statistically significant differences in the odds of death between these groups (adjusted OR [aOR] Black = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.80 to 1.38, P = .71; aOR Hispanic = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.76 to 1.60, P = .62). CONCLUSION: Our analysis demonstrated that Hispanic patients were more likely require mechanical ventilation but had lower mortality when compared to White patients, with lower average age likely mediating this association. These findings emphasize the importance of outreach efforts to communities of color to increase prevention measures and vaccination uptake to reduce infection with COVID-19.

Cardiac Related Psychosocial Distress and Traumatic Distress in Individuals with Advanced Heart Failure.

Guided by the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, this study explored relationships between cardiac related psychosocial distress, traumatic distress, and the number of lifetime traumas in people with advanced heart failure. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey design, a convenience sample of participants with advanced heart failure who received treatment in Washington, DC, completed standardized measures. Bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant difference in mean number of exposures and distress associated with advanced heart failure therapies and linear relationships between exposures and traumatic distress, distress and traumatic distress, and exposures and distress, as well as between the number of exposures and distress and traumatic distress and between the distress and traumatic distress. Multivariate analysis suggested that the higher the number of reported traumatic events, the higher the distress, and the higher the distress, the higher the traumatic distress. Social workers and allied team members should consider how a patient's distress relates to traumatic distress in the advanced stage heart failure population.

Advance Care Planning Coaching in CKD Clinics: A Pragmatic Randomized Clinical Trial.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Although guidelines recommend more and earlier advance care planning (ACP) for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), scant evidence exists to guide incorporation of ACP into clinical practice for patients with stages of CKD prior to kidney failure. Involving nephrology team members in addition to primary care providers in this important patient-centered process may increase its accessibility. Our study examined the effect of coaching implemented in CKD clinics on patient engagement with ACP. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, pragmatic randomized controlled trial. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Three CKD clinics in different states participated: 273 patients consented to participate, 254 were included in analysis. Eligible patients were 55 years or older, had stage 3-5 CKD, and were English speaking. INTERVENTION: Nurses or social workers with experience in nephrology or palliative care delivered individualized in-person ACP sessions. The enhanced control group was given Make Your Wishes About You (MY WAY) education materials and was verbally encouraged to bring their completed advance directives to the clinic. OUTCOME: Primary outcome measures were scores on a 45-point ACP engagement scale at 14 weeks and a documented advance directive or portable medical order at 16 weeks after enrollment. RESULTS: Among 254 participants analyzed, 46.5% were 65-74 years of age, and 54% had CKD stage 3. The coached patients scored 1.9 points higher at 14 weeks on the ACP engagement scale (ß = 1.87 [95% CI, 0.13-3.64]) adjusted for baseline score and site. Overall, 32.8% of intervention patients (41 of 125) had an advance directive compared with 17.8% (23 of 129) of patients in the control group. In a site-adjusted multivariable model, coached patients were 79% more likely to have a documented advance directive or portable medical order (adjusted risk ratio, 1.79 [95% CI, 1.18-2.72]), with the impact principally evident at only 1 study site. LIMITATIONS: Small number of study sites and possible unrepresentativeness of the broader CKD population by study participants. CONCLUSIONS: Individualized coaching may be effective in enhancing ACP, but its impact may be influenced by the health care environment where it is delivered. FUNDING: The Patrick and Catherine Weldon Donaghue Medical Research Foundation, via the Greater Value Portfolio. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with study number NCT03506087.

Chronic Intravenous Inotropic Support as Palliative Therapy and Bridge Therapy for Patients With Advanced Heart Failure: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Stage D (advanced) heart failure are discharged home on chronic intravenous inotropic support (CIIS) as bridge to surgical therapy or as palliative therapy. This study analyzed the clinical trajectory of patients with advanced heart failure who were on home CIIS. METHODS: We conducted a single-institution, retrospective cohort study of patients on CIIS between 2010 and 2016 (n = 373), stratified by indication for initiation of inotropic support. Study outcomes were time from initiation of CIIS to cessation of therapy, time to death for patients who did not receive surgical therapy and rates of involvement with palliative care. RESULTS: Overall, patients received CIIS therapy for an average of 5.9 months (standard deviation [SD] 7.3). Patients on CIIS as palliative therapy died in an average of 6.2 months (SD 6.6) from the time of initiation of CIIS, and those on CIIS as bridge therapy who did not ultimately receive surgical therapy died after an average of 8.6 months (SD 9.3). Patients who received CIIS as bridge therapy were significantly less likely to receive palliative-care consultation than those on inotropes as palliative therapy, whether or not they underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort of patients with advanced HF, patients who on CIIS as palliative therapy survived for 6.2 months, on average, with wide variation among patients. Patients who were on CIIS as bridge therapy but did not ultimately receive surgical therapy received less palliative care despite the high mortality rate in this subgroup.

Virtual reality for pain management in advanced heart failure: A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized patients with advanced heart failure often experience acute and/or chronic pain. While virtual reality has been extensively studied across a wide range of clinical settings, no studies have yet evaluated potential impact on pain management on this patient population. AIM: To investigate the impact of a virtual reality experience on self-reported pain, quality-of-life, general distress, and satisfaction compared to a two-dimensional guided imagery active control. DESIGN: Single-center prospective randomized controlled study. The primary outcome was the difference in pre- versus post-intervention self-reported pain scores on a numerical rating scale from 0 to 10. Secondary outcomes included changes in quality-of-life scores, general distress, and satisfaction with the intervention. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Between October 2018 and March 2020, 88 participants hospitalized with advanced heart failure were recruited from an urban tertiary academic medical center. RESULTS: Participants experienced significant improvement in pain score after either 10 minutes of virtual reality (change from pre- to post -2.9 ± 2.6, p < 0.0001) or 10 minutes of guided imagery (change from pre- to post -1.3 ± 1.8, p = 0.0001); the virtual reality arm experienced a 1.5 unit comparatively greater reduction in pain score compared to guided imagery (p = 0.0011). Total quality-of-life and general distress scores did not significantly change for either arm. Seventy-eight participants (89%) responded that they would be willing to use the assigned intervention again. CONCLUSION: Virtual reality may be an effective nonpharmacologic adjuvant pain management intervention in hospitalized patients with heart failure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov database (NCT04572425).

A thematic analysis of in-hospital end-of-life care experiences of surviving family members.

While end-of-life care (EoLC) priorities for patients dying in the hospital are well-documented, few data characterize needs and experiences of their family members. We conducted thematic analysis of audio recorded interviews of 18 bereaved family members to elucidate these experiences. Participants' memories were organized into two parent themes: those related to satisfaction with the care received and effective communication; those identifying shortcomings in patient care, hospital-family communication, hospital environment, and care burden on the part of family members. These findings provide insight to enhance services to patients and their families at end-of-life and improve postmortem and bereavement services.

Reading the Room: Lessons on Holding Space and Presence.

The following is a reflection on a patient interaction that draws attention to presence and holding space.

Palliative care in cardiac transplantation: an evolving model.

It is currently estimated that 5.7 million Americans live with heart failure. Of these, less than 3000 will receive a heart transplant this year, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. With successful transplantation can come significant emotional and physical symptoms that are not always addressed. Although palliative care is an interdisciplinary subspecialty designed to alleviate multiple domains of suffering in serious illness, many mistakenly associate it solely with the end of life. Traditionally associated with cancer, research into the role of palliative care in other chronic illnesses and complex life-changing therapies such as solid organ transplantation remains scarce but is nonetheless developing. Here, we try to investigate a potential role for palliative care for heart transplant recipients. Early research thus far has demonstrated importance of early involvement of palliative care teams and the significant improvement of physical and emotional symptoms in the pre- and post-transplant period. Nevertheless, more research is warranted to determine the ideal timing of palliative care integration, the effects on health care resource utilization, and whether improving quality of life can affect morbidity and mortality. By understanding these critical elements and others we may be able to develop a model for the role of palliative care for heart transplant patients.

Integrating Spiritual Care into Palliative Consultation: A Case Study in Expanded Practice.

Recognizing and addressing spiritual needs has long been identified as a key component of palliative care (PC). More often than not, the provision of spiritual care involves referral to a hospital chaplain. In this study, we aim to describe the role of a PC chaplain embedded within the interdisciplinary PC team and demonstrate how this palliative chaplain role differs from that of a traditional hospital chaplain. We postulate that integrating spiritual care provision into a PC team may offer a broader spiritual care experience for patients receiving PC and begin to delineate expanded clinical roles for the palliative chaplain.

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: an overview and comparison of three consensus guidelines.

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) remains one of the most debilitating toxicities associated with cancer treatment. In recent decades, significant strides have been made in our understanding of the pathophysiology of CINV, making way to more effective targeted pharmacotherapies, especially 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptor antagonists and neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor antagonists. As much as 70%-80% of CINV can be prevented with appropriate administration of available antiemetics. Nevertheless, fear of CINV still may diminish cancer treatment adherence. To assimilate and summarise the rapidly growing body of clinical research literature on CINV, three professional organisations-the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/European Society for Medical Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network-have created CINV management guidelines. While these respective guidelines are developed from similar consensus processes using similar clinical research literature, their results demonstrate several key differences in recommended strategies. This article aims to provide an overview of CINV pathophysiology, compare and contrast three expert guidelines and offer considerations for future clinical and research challenges.

Pharmacologic management of pain at the end of life.

Although many patients experience debilitating pain at the end of life, there are many options to improve analgesia and quality of life. Pain assessment using a validated tool, with attention to patient function and specific goals, helps tailor individual treatment plans. The World Health Organization pain ladder offers a stepwise guideline for approaching pain management. However, for many patients with terminal illness, strong opioids are necessary for efficient and effective analgesia. Equianalgesic dosing tables and expert guidelines aid in initiating, monitoring, and adjusting doses of oral and parenteral opioids. Clinicians should feel comfortable administering a repeat dose after the time to peak analgesic effect if the patient is still in pain. In patients with constant pain, using scheduled long-acting opioids may significantly improve pain control. Among pain subtypes, visceral pain management usually requires multiple drugs. Neuropathic pain responds well to adjuvant pharmacotherapies, such as anticonvulsants or antidepressants, in addition to opioids. Opioid-induced hyperalgesia can occur with any dose of an opioid, but is more common with higher doses of parenteral morphine and hydromorphone. With appropriate counseling, most patients with a history of substance abuse will comply with a pain treatment plan.

The Presence of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators is Rarely Addressed During Code Status Change.

Background: Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) are used to prevent sudden cardiac death, but they may provide unwanted shocks during end-of-life care. We aimed to study the frequency at which Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) discussions address ICD preferences in high-risk patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on patient hospitalizations with the presence of an ICD, a change in code status to DNR, and a subsequent death during that hospitalization. Data collected included demographics, significant comorbidities, if and when ICD was discussed, and who performed code status discussions, and were analyzed for statistical significance. Results: 129 patients met study criteria, and 110 patients (85.3%) did not have a documented discussion addressing ICD deactivation. There were no statistically significant differences in patient characteristics between patients with ICD addressed or not addressed, nor were there differences noted between discussions performed by residents vs staff or with the presence of cardiology, critical care status, or with palliative care consultation. It was noted that specifically discussing intubation or cardioversion was associated with the discussion of ICD deactivation. Conclusion: ICD discussions were rarely documented in our high-risk population, highlighting a potential need for better in-chart visibility of ICDs and for focused education of clinicians who care for these patients at end of life.

The experiences among bereaved family members after a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) deactivation.

BACKGROUND: The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) is increasing with an estimated 2500 devices implanted each year. When burdens of the LVAD outweigh benefits, most individuals with LVADs will undergo deactivation in the hospital setting. While the decision to deactivate an LVAD is considered an ethical practice, little is known about the experience and needs of bereaved family members. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the experiences of bereaved family members of patients who died following LVAD deactivation. METHODS: In this qualitative study, 11 family members of patients who underwent LVAD deactivation were interviewed. The semi-structured interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached and relevant themes emerged. RESULTS: This qualitative study was conducted to understand the experience of family members before, during and after the patient underwent LVAD deactivation, including their perceptions of engagement with the healthcare team. Analysis revealed six overarching themes from the experience, including 1) hope for survival, 2) communication, 3) spirituality and faith, 4) absence of physical suffering, 5) positive relationships with staff, 6) post-death care needs. CONCLUSION: Bereaved family members of patients undergoing LVAD deactivation have unique lived experiences and concerns. This study highlights the importance of effective communication not only near end-of-life but throughout the LVAD experience. While the positive relationships with staff and the absence of physical suffering were strengths identified by bereaved caregivers, there is an opportunity for improvement, particularly during the decision-making and post-death periods.

The role of palliative care for patients with left ventricular assist devices: a narrative review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have revolutionized the care of patients with advanced heart failure (HF). Compared to guideline-directed medical and device therapies, LVAD technology improves quality of life and reduces mortality. Palliative care specialists have an important role to play in the pre-LVAD evaluation phase, in the post-operative longitudinal care phase, and at the end-of-life in patients with LVADs. The objective of this narrative review is to describe the evidence regarding the role of palliative care for patients with LVAD across the care continuum: pre-implantation, post-implantation, and at the end-of-life. METHODS: Clinical trials relevant to care of patients with HF, LVADs, and the role of palliative care were analyzed for this narrative review. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS: Palliative care involvement in 'preparedness planning' has been described in the literature, though no standardized protocol for preparedness planning exists, to date. In the longitudinal care phase after LVAD implantation, the role of palliative care is less defined; depending on institutional culture and availability of palliative care, patients may be referred based on symptom-management needs or for advance care planning (ACP). At the end-of-life, either due to an acute event or a gradually worsening condition, palliative care is often engaged to participate in discussions regarding treatment preferences and to consider transitions in care from disease-directed treatments to comfort-focused treatments. Given the medical complexity of dying with LVADs, most patients with an LVAD die in hospital with support from palliative care teams for the physical, existential, and psychosocial distress that accompanies end-of-life and LVAD deactivation. CONCLUSIONS: In this narrative review, we describe the integral role of palliative care throughout the care continuum of patients living with LVADs and suggest opportunities for further research.

Prognostic Implications of Delirium After Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: In critically ill patients, delirium is a prognostic indicator of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the impact of a delirium diagnosis on outcomes after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. METHODS: This retrospective study included all adult patients who received LVADs at our institution between January 2016 and December 2020. We compared preimplantation characteristics between the two groups, with and without a diagnosis of delirium, and compared their outcomes, including 1-month, 6-month, and in-hospital mortality, as well as reintubation rate, length of stay, discharge disposition, and readmission rates. RESULTS: In total, 361 patients (26.7% women and 75.8% African American) received durable LVADs. Ninety-four patients (26.1%) were diagnosed with delirium during the index admission. Preimplantation demographic characteristics, past medical and psychiatric conditions, Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support Profile, and laboratory values did not differ between the two groups with and without a diagnosis of delirium; older age (59 vs 56; P = 0.03) was associated with delirium. Delirium diagnosis was associated with higher 1-month (P = 0.007), 6-month (P = 0.004), and in-hospital mortality (P < 0.001), unplanned reintubations (P < 0.001), and a lower likelihood of discharge home (P = 0.03). Total hospital and intensive care unit length of stay were higher in patients with a diagnosis of delirium, though these results were not statistically significant. Readmission to the hospital after index admission was quicker in patients with a diagnosis of delirium, but this result was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a diagnosis of delirium during the LVAD implantation admission was associated with higher mortality, adverse postsurgical outcomes, and unfavorable discharge dispositions. Future prospective research is needed to validate the prognostic implications of delirium in both the short and long term. Additionally, there is a need to identify modifiable risk factors associated with delirium to promote early diagnosis and implement evidence-based management strategies to enhance outcomes within this population.

Disease-State Understanding and Experience of Patients Receiving Continuous Intravenous Inotropic Support as Palliative Therapy: A Multicenter Survey.

Background: The use of continuous intravenous inotropic support (CIIS) as palliative therapy in patients with advanced heart failure (HF) has increased over the past decade. CIIS improves New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class but does not impact survival. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine patients' understanding of the therapeutic intent of CIIS, prognostic awareness, and quality of life with CIIS. Design: We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study of patients with advanced HF receiving CIIS as palliative therapy between 2020 and 2022. Settings/Subjects: An investigator-developed survey instrument was administered to outpatients on CIIS in the United States via telephone. Measurements: Survey data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Forty-eight patients, 63% male, 81% African American/Black, with a mean age of 68.9 (standard deviation 12.3) years, participated in this study. The majority of patients responded that they expected CIIS to make them feel better (79%) and increase longevity (75%), but few expected that CIIS would cure their HF (19%). Patients described their overall quality of life on CIIS as not better/worse (19%), somewhat better (46%), and significantly better (35%) and reported high treatment satisfaction (87% were at least somewhat satisfied). Conclusions: In this study, patients report improved quality of life with CIIS as palliative therapy. Patients on CIIS as palliative therapy expected increased survival on CIIS, which is incongruent with current evidence. Further studies on how we can improve care processes so that patients have accurate prognostic and disease-state awareness, and receive goal concordant care, are warranted.