Support needs of carers of cancer patients and the effects of the patient's age and cancer type on their needs.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate support needs of carers of cancer patients and the effects of the patient's age and cancer type on their needs. METHODS: In this descriptive and comparative study, the data were collected from the carers (n = 120) of the patient admitted to inpatient and outpatient clinics of a university hospital between June 2021 and October 2022. Patient identification form, carer identification form, and Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) were used for data collection. The comparisons of the support needs were done for the carers according to the patient's age (<65 versus ≥65 years) and cancer type (hematological malignancies versus solid tumors). RESULTS: Caring duration (19.78 ± 29.64 vs 10.33 ± 18.77 months) and caring hours per week (47.58 ± 26.90 vs 32.75 ± 25.75 h) were high in those caring for older adults. Carers of older adults need more support in providing personal care for their relatives (eg dressing, washing, toileting) (X2 = 8.000, p = 0.005). Carers of patients with hematological malignancies need more support in understanding their relative's illness (X2 = 6.136, p = 0.013), having time themselves in the day (X2 = 4.089, p = 0.043), managing their relative's symptoms, including giving medicines? (X2 = 5.263, p = 0.022), and their beliefs or spiritual concerns (X2 = 4.728, p = 0.030) compared to the carers of the patients with solid tumors. CONCLUSION: The support needs of the carers vary depending on the patient's age and cancer type. Carers of older adults and patients with hematological malignancies need more support.

The Effect of the Bright White Light Application to Cancer Patients Receiving Palliative Care on Their Fatigue Level and Sleep Quality: A Randomized Control Trial.

This study aimed to examine the effect of bright white light on the fatigue level and sleep quality of cancer patients receiving palliative care. The study sample consisted of 52 patients who met the inclusion criteria and were assigned to the study or control group by stratified randomization. The bright white light (10,000 lux) or dim red light (<50 lux) was applied for 30 minutes every morning for 14 days to the patients in the study and control group. In the study, bright white light significantly decreased the level of fatigue and the level of fatigue-related effect on daily life activities, improved sleep quality and increased total sleep time (p < 0.05). It was found that dim red light significantly decreased the level of fatigue and increased the sleep quality, but this change was lower than the study group (p < 0.05).

Eliciting the Concept of Cancer in Nursing Students in Turkey: an Exploratory Metaphor Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Although there are promising studies on cancer treatment, it is still a frightening disease. For effective treatment, an integrative and positive perspective is required. Using the power of metaphors to facilitate understanding of complex and intangible ideas, this study aims to define cancer from the perspective of Turkish nursing students. SAMPLE AND SETTING: This study was conducted with 166 nursing students at a nursing faculty in Turkey. It was a mixed method study using qualitative and quantitative methods. METHODS AND VARIABLES: To capture the picture in a human mind of the complexity of feelings for cancer, writing a description and elicitation interviews were employed. Moreover, to reach ontological and epistemological level thoughts in the deepest layers of elicited metaphors, the data were analyzed in an analytical framework. RESULTS: The study provides a conceptualization of "Cancer." The students produced 92 valid metaphors. The most commonly used metaphors were found to be 'death', 'war', 'a virus', 'a malady' and 'a spider'. It was found that the metaphors produced by the students on the concept of cancer generally used negative themes. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: This study provides a framework for understanding all aspects of the concept of cancer on the metaphor axis. It is believed that the results will provide an holistic approach toward the concept of cancer, especially in nursing education, and will increase awareness of this concept.

Validity and Reliability Study of the Turkish Version of Multiple Sclerosis Self-Management Scale.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish the equivalence, reliability, and validity of the Multiple Sclerosis Self-Management Scale Turkish Version (MSSM-T). METHODS: This methodological study consisted of 240 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who were followed in an outpatient clinic of a university hospital between October 2016 and April 2017. Data were collected using the demographic characteristics form and the 24-item MSSM-T. Language equivalence, content validity, and construct validity methods were used for the validity of the scale; internal consistency, item analysis, and test-retest methods were used for the reliability. Explanatory factor analysis was used for construct validity, and principal component analysis and varimax rotation were used in the analysis of factor structure. RESULTS: The item-total correlations for the Turkish version were found to be sufficient (between 0.238 and 0.674). The Cronbach α reliability coefficient was 0.85, indicating high reliability. The test-retest reliability coefficient was 0.84, indicating high consistency. The Turkish version was found to have 5 factors for the 24 items (F1, healthcare provider relationship/communication; F2, knowledge and information about MS; F3, treatment adherence/barriers; F4, maintaining health behavior; and F5, social/family support), which accounted for the 62.584% of the characteristics in question. CONCLUSION: The MSSM-T is valid and reliable in determining the self-management behaviors of patients with MS for Turkish patients.

Factors Affecting the Adherence to Disease-Modifying Therapy in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to medication treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is important to increase its effectiveness, reduce patient disability, prevent attacks, and increase the quality of life. AIM: This study investigated factors that influence adherence to disease-modifying therapy in patients with MS. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted with 198 patients with MS who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate between July 2016 and February 2017. Data were collected using an Individual Identification Form that included sociodemographic characteristics, the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Adherence Questionnaire, the Fatigue Severity Scale, the Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Brief COPE. RESULTS: We found that 59.6% of the patients were adherent to therapy. Patients were significantly more adherent to Avonex than other treatments, and "memory problems" was the most common reason for missing or forgetting medication in nonadherent patients. There was a significant difference between medication adherence and some sociodemographic characteristics and disease characteristics (P < .05). There was no significant difference between coping attitudes, fatigue, and self-efficacy level and medication adherence (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Patients' adherence to medication treatment was low and may be associated with social, physical, and cognitive measures.

Aromatherapy: The Effect of Lavender on Anxiety and Sleep Quality in Patients Treated With Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND: A cancer diagnosis is a serious stressor that is associated with anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and inability to fulfill daily routines. Many pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic options are available to help patients with cancer manage anxiety. OBJECTIVES: This randomized, controlled trial examined the effects of lavender oil aromatherapy on anxiety and sleep quality in patients undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: 70 patients were randomly assigned to a lavender oil group, a tea tree oil group, and a control group with no oil. A patient identification form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Pittsburgh Quality Sleep Index (PSQI) were used to measure anxiety and sleep quality before and after chemotherapy. FINDINGS: State anxiety before and after chemotherapy did not vary among groups. The authors compared trait anxiety values before and after chemotherapy and found a significant difference in the lavender group. In addition, a significant change in PSQI measurements before and after chemotherapy was observed.