[Pain beliefs of cancer patients and associated factors]. / Kanser hastalarinin agri inançlari ve iliskili faktörler.

OBJECTIVES: The aim is to determine the pain beliefs and related factors of cancer patients. METHODS: The study was designed as a descriptive and analytical type. It was completed between January and June 2019 with 100 individuals who were 18 years of age or older, who were receiving chemotherapy, and who agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using a patient information form, a pain assessment form, and the Pain Beliefs Scale. RESULTS: In the results of the regression analysis, the psychological belief scores of those who acted nervously were statistically 0.408 points higher than those who acted calmly. Organic beliefs scores were statistically 0.814 points and 0.599 points higher in basically literate and primary school graduates, respectively, compared to university graduates. They were 0.372 points higher for those whose income was less than their expenditure compared to those whose income was balanced with their expenditure, 0.414 points higher in those who had experienced pain in the last 6 months compared to those who had not, and 0.561 points higher in those who did not use non-pharmacological methods in pain control compared to those who did. Those who expressed pain verbally were found to have points that were 0.447 higher than those who did not say they had pain. CONCLUSION: Based on the results obtained, it is recommended that cancer patients be given training that will improve self-management and self-efficacy with cognitive-behavioral methods, taking into account their pain beliefs and affecting factors, in order for them to be successful in pain management.

The effect of back massage with frankincense and myrrh oil before the cardiac electrophysiological procedure on back pain intensity and comfort: A single-blind randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT: Back pain is one of the most common problems experienced by patients after the cardiac electrophysiological study procedure. In addition, limitation of movement after the procedure negatively affects the comfort and satisfaction of patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of back massage with frankincense and myrrh oil on back pain severity and comfort in patients who were to undergo cardiac electrophysiological study. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled study with a pretest-posttest design. This study was conducted from October 2020 to March 2021, at the angio unit of a heart hospital at a university in Turkey. The study was completed with 30 patients in each group, a total of 90 people. Data were collected using a patient information form, a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the General Comfort Questionnaire (GCQ). The intervention group and the placebo group received back massage with frankincense and myrrh essential oil and with jojoba fixed oil respectively. No intervention was applied to the control group. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the post-procedure VAS values according to the groups. Except for sociocultural comfort, there were significant differences between the groups in terms of GCQ total scores and subscales at the first and last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Back massage with frankincense and myrrh oil increased overall comfort, physical comfort, the psychospiritual comfort. Additional research with a rigorous design is needed to determine its effect on pain.

Factors Affecting Attitudes Towards Cancer, Cancer Prevention, and Early Diagnosis Behaviors Among Cancer Patient Relatives.

Attitudes towards cancer may affect the cancer prevention behaviors of cancer patients' relatives and their participation in cancer screening. Knowing the factors affecting attitudes will shed light on the education programs to be planned to encourage individuals to gain a positive attitude towards cancer and positive health behaviors in cancer prevention. Determining the behaviors towards cancer prevention and cancer screening, identifying reasons that prevent participation in cancer screening, determining the factors associated with the attitudes of cancer patients' relatives towards cancer, determining the factors affecting their attitudes towards cancer of cancer patients' relatives, can increase the awareness of healthcare professionals and patient relatives on the subject. The aim of the present study was to determine cancer prevention and early diagnosis behavior and the factors affecting the attitudes of towards cancer of cancer patient relatives. The descriptive and analytical study was completed with 321 relatives of cancer patients. The data were collected by the face-to-face interview method. The interview was conducted in a quiet place, alone with the participant, using a clear and simple language, allowing people to speak freely, and avoiding criticism and evaluation. About half of the participants smoked (49.5%), many did not do regular physical activity (67.3%) or protect themselves from the sun (77.3%), and only 10.9% had regular screening tests. The reasons for not having a screening test were ignorance, disregard, lack of complaints, and fear. Acording to binary logistic regression analysis, the determinants included factors of negative attitudes toward cancer with the age of the patient (Exp(ß): 1.024), low education level (Exp(ß): 2.572), being the child (Exp(ß): 8.484) or sibling (Exp(ß): 8.801) of the patient, not being protected from the sun (Exp(ß): 2.063), and not doing physical activity (Exp(ß): 1.744). Even for those having positive health behaviors, such as not smoking (Exp(ß): 2.008) and using sun protection (Exp(ß): 2.280), the attitudes towards cancer were negative for the Impossible to Recover sub-dimension. Cancer prevention behaviors and regular participation in cancer screening of cancer patients' relatives were very low. It was determined that low education level, increasing age of the patient, and the degree of relation to the patient negatively affected attitudes towards cancer, and that there was a need for education. We believe that the results of the present study will contribute to evidence-based practice for cancer prevention and early diagnosis.

The effects of massage with frankincense and myrrh oil in chronic low back pain: A three-arm randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic low back pain is a common problem that impairs the activities of daily life. Massage therapy is one of the non-pharmacological treatment modalities in chronic low back pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aromatherapy massage on pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain. METHODS: Data were collected between August-December 2020 in a physical therapy clinic of a university hospital. The control, massage and aromatherapy massage groups included 30, 31 and 30 patients, respectively. Two sessions of low back massage per week were applied to the aromatherapy group with frankincense and myyrh essential oils and to the placebo group with jojoba oil. Massage was not applied to the control group. Outcome measures were Visual Analogue Scale, Aberdeen Low Back Pain Scale and Roland-Morris Disability Scale. RESULTS: In the results of study, the decrease in Visual Analogue Scale (p < 0.001), Aberdeen Low Back Pain Scale (p < 0.001) and Roland-Morris Disability Scale (p < 0.001) scores of the aromatherapy group was found to be statistically higher than the other two groups. CONCLUSION: As a result, aromatherapy massage with frankincense and myyrh essential oils can be integrated to medical treatments to relieve pain and reduce disability in an individual's daily life in chronic low back pain. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04494165.

Acupressure for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Elderly Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Context: Fatigue is the most common symptom experienced by elderly cancer patients. It negatively affects their daily functioning and quality of life. Integrative approaches such as acupressure can be used to treat cancer-related fatigue in elderly patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acupressure on the severity and level of cancer-related fatigue in elderly patients with cancer. Design: This study was carried out in two stages comprising a quantitative study (pretest, posttest, randomized controlled) and a qualitative study (in-depth interview). Setting: The study was conducted at the hematology and medical oncology clinic in a university hospital in Turkey. Participants: The study included 31 cancer patients aged 65 and over, who were experiencing cancer-related fatigue. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to the acupressure group (intervention group) or the control group. The intervention group was administered acupressure on three acupuncture points on the hands and legs (LI4, SP6, ST36) by caregivers or the patients themselves for three minutes twice daily, for a period of four weeks. The acupressure group was examined before and after the four-week intervention. The control group was similarly examined though no intervention was applied. Outcome Measures: Data were collected using Patient Information Form, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS), and Acupressure Experience Patient Opinion Form. Results: In the follow-up examination of individuals in the acupressure group, there was a significant reduction in the severity and level of fatigue compared to the first examination. However, there was no significant difference between the first and second examination of individuals in the control group. The qualitative findings obtained during the in-depth interview support the quantitative findings of the study. Conclusion: Acupressure can be recommended as an integrative treatment for cancer-related fatigue because it is effective, easy to use, tolerable and does not cause serious side effects.

The Effect of Classical Turkish Music on Pain Severity and Anxiety Levels in Patients Undergoing Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow aspiration is a painful procedure. In addition, the anxiety experienced during the procedure can affect the pain felt during the procedure. This study was conducted as a randomized controlled study to determine the effect of classical Turkish music on pain severity and anxiety levels in patients undergoing bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed in an oncology hospital with a total of 30 patients, of whom 14 were in the intervention group and 16 were in the control group. All underwent bone marrow aspiration and biopsy for the first time. Ethics committee approval, institutional permission, and the study participants' written informed consent were obtained. Data were collected using patient information forms and follow-up charts, the Visual Analog Scale, and the State Anxiety Inventory. It was determined that the scores gathered from the State Anxiety Inventory during the first follow-up increased in the second follow-up in both the intervention and control groups, and this increase was statistically significant in the intervention group (p < .05). The mean pain severity scores of the patients undergoing the procedure were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (p < .05). CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS: This study found that classical Turkish music reduced the severity of pain but increased the levels of anxiety in patients undergoing bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.

Letrozole usage adjuvant to gonadotropins for ovulation induction for patients with clomiphene citrate failure.

AIM: To compare cycle properties of ovulation induction (OI) with gonadotropin alone or combined with letrozole in the patients with previous clomiphene citrate (CC) failure. METHODS: In this prospective study, 40 patients with previous at least three times CC cycle failure were evaluated. Half of them received 2.5 mg letrozole on days 3-7 of the menstrual cycle and recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) starting on day 5. The other half of the patients received only rFSH starting on day 3. Groups were compared according to the OI duration, gonadotropin dosage, endometrial thickness, estradiol (E2) levels on day of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) administration and follicle count. RESULTS: Total rFSH dose, the E2 levels on the day of HCG and >18 mm follicle count was significantly lower and OI duration was significantly shorter in rFSH + letrozole group. Mean endometrial thickness was not different between groups. CONCLUSION: Adding letrozole to gonadotropin in OI cycles decreases total gonadotropin dose and induction duration without any adverse effects on endometrial thickness. Monoovulation is better achieved by adding letrozole to gonadotropin stimulation without decreasing pregnancy rates.