The effect of a fatigue self-management program based on individual and family self-management theory in cancer patients: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the Fatigue Self-Management Program based on the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory on fatigue, daily living activities, and well-being in cancer patients. METHODS: This randomized controlled single-blind experimental study was carried out between November 2020 and April 2022. A total of 94 patients with advanced cancer, 47 in each group, were included in the study, and 57 participants completed the study. Data were collected using the Brief Fatigue Inventory, Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living, and Well-Being Questionnaire-22. The Fatigue Self-Management Program based on Individual and Family Self-Management Theory was delivered to the intervention group with two face-to-face and two tele-monitoring sessions. No intervention was applied to the control group, who received only routine care. RESULTS: The mean score of fatigue in the intervention group compared to the control group decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (p < .05); daily living activities mean scores were higher than the control group, but there was no statistically significant difference (p > .05). The mean scores of depression and anxiety in the intervention group were lower than those in the control group; energy, positive well-being, and general well-being mean scores were found to be higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The Fatigue Self-Management Program effectively reduces the fatigue experienced by cancer patients and increases their well-being but it does not increase their independence in daily living activities. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: NCT04822220.

The Effect of Psychoeducational Interventions on Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of cancer patients. Psychoeducation is often used in the management of cancer-related fatigue. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to synthesize the effects of psychoeducational interventions on cancer-related fatigue. METHODS: This article is a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. The 11 electronic databases were searched, and studies using psychoeducational interventions to manage cancer-related fatigue were included. Data synthesis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software version 3.0. The random-effects model was used to pool the effect size for intervention. The subgroup analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of the characteristics of psychoeducational interventions. This study was reported according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Intervention version 6.3 and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. RESULTS: This analysis included 10 studies with a total of 1369 participants. Most of the included studies compared the psychoeducational intervention group with the passive control group. Our meta-analysis revealed that psychoeducational intervention has a positive medium effect on improving cancer-related fatigue with a low quality of evidence. Subgroup analyses indicated no difference between group and individual interventions, between face-to-face and digital interventions, or between ≤3 and >3 sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Psychoeducational interventions can improve cancer-related fatigue. Additional well-designed randomized controlled studies are needed to upgrade the quality of evidence for psychoeducational interventions on cancer-related fatigue. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses may practice psychoeducational interventions to manage cancer-related fatigue and may use this study design for randomized controlled studies for psychoeducational interventions on cancer-related fatigue.

Body image and social appearance anxiety in patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy: Across-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The body image of patients with cancer can be negatively affected due to treatment toxicities. Changes in body image may cause patients to experience social appearance anxiety. This study aimed to evaluate the body image and social appearance anxiety of patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted with 153 patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy in a university hospital. The data were collected with a Patient Information Form, the Body Image Scale, and the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Skin Toxicity Criteria. RESULTS: Patients' mean body image score was 15.18 ± 8.26 (min = 0, max = 30), mean social appearance anxiety score was 45.29 ± 14.50 (min = 16, max = 80). Patients with low education levels and low-income levels had higher body image and social appearance anxiety scores (p < 0.01). Body image and social appearance anxiety scores were found to be higher in patients with advanced cancer, grade III-IV skin toxicity, pain, fatigue, and constipation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Radiotherapy may negatively affect body image and social appearance anxiety. Assessments of body image and social appearance anxiety regularly before, during, and after treatment are essential. Psychosocial support should be provided to patients to reduce body image and social appearance anxiety and increase their well-being. Patients with cancer especially those who have low income and education levels, advanced cancer stage and skin toxicity, and suffer from pain, fatigue, constipation, etc. should be supported by methods such as counseling and social support groups.

Determining the Organizational Cultural Competence of Hospitals Located in the Coastal Strip of the City of Antalya.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the organizational cultural competence of hospitals located in the coastal strip of Antalya city in Turkey. METHOD: The sample of this descriptive study included 31 hospitals. Data were collected with a questionnaire developed by the researchers under the guidance of 2 guides related to organizational cultural competency standards. The questionnaire included 3 sections and 47 questions and was answered by an authorized person to provide information on behalf of the hospital. RESULTS: Among the hospitals participating in the study, 61.3% were private hospitals, 67.7% had international patient departments, 96.8% had quality departments, and 29% reported that they had a budget allocated for providing culturally appropriate care. Most of the hospitals reported that they served multi-menu option to the patients (64.5%) and provided with interpreter assistance free of cost (90.3%). Most of the hospitals stated that they provided end-of-life care for patients who died in their hospitals according to the wishes of the family members (96.8%). CONCLUSION: Hospitals seek to adopt a culturally sensitive approach in healthcare services, but their cultural competence has scope for improvement, as they do not have strategic action plans or sufficient budgets yet.