Effects of psychological nursing intervention on personality characteristics and quality of life of patients with esophageal cancer

Survival experience of patients undergoing oesophagectomy during the recovery period: A meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

To systematically review and synthesise existing qualitative research evidence describing the survival experience of patients undergoing oesophagectomy during recovery.

BACKGROUND

Patients with oesophageal cancer undergoing surgical treatment have severe physical and psychological burdens during the recovery period. Qualitative studies on the survival experience of patients undergoing oesophagectomy are increasing annually, but there is no integration of qualitative evidence.

DESIGN

A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative studies were conducted following the ENTREQ.

METHODS

Five English (CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library) and three Chinese (Wanfang, CNKI and VIP) databases were searched for literature on the survival of patients undergoing oesophagectomy during the recovery period from its establishment in April 2022. The quality of the literature was evaluated by the 'Qualitative Research Quality Evaluation Criteria for the JBI Evidence-Based Health Care Centre in Australia', and the data were synthesised by the thematic synthesis method of Thomas and Harden.

RESULTS

A total of 18 studies were included, and four themes were identified: physical and mental dual challenges, impaired social functioning, efforts to return to normal life, lack of knowledge and skills in post-discharge care, and thirst for external support.

CONCLUSIONS

Future research should focus on the problem of reduced social interaction during the recovery of patients with oesophageal cancer, formulating individualised exercise intervention programs and establishing a sound social support system.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

The results of this study provide evidence-based support for nurses to carry out targeted interventions and reference methods for patients with oesophageal cancer to rebuild their lives.

NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

The report was a systematic review and did not involve a population study.

Function of a Psychological Nursing Intervention on Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Older Adult Patients With Osteoporotic Fracture

BACKGROUND

Osteoporotic fracture is a serious complication of osteoporosis. The long-term therapy process and the heavy restriction to physical activities give rise to a psychological burden on osteoporotic fracture patients, especially older adult patients. Psychological nursing interventions significantly alleviate negative emotional reactions in cancer patients. This research aimed to investigate the function of psychological nursing interventions in the reduction of depression and anxiety and the improvement of quality of life in older adult patients with osteoporotic fracture.

METHODS

Osteoporotic fracture patients (n = 106) were divided into control group (n = 53) or intervention group (n = 53). In the control group, the participants were given conventional nursing care. In the intervention group, the participants were given psychological nursing interventions. Anxiety, depression, and quality of life were evaluated and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

After 5 weeks of psychological nursing intervention, the anxiety and depression scores significantly decreased in the intervention group. The Mental Function in Quality of Life Questionnaire of the European Foundation for Osteoporosis score also decreased in the intervention group.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

Psychological nursing interventions alleviate anxiety and depression in older adult osteoporotic fracture patients and enhance their mental function.

The Effect of Pain Self-Management Education on Pain Severity and Quality of Life in Metastatic Cancer Patients

Objective:

Proper pain control in cancer patients is one of the prime needs of metastatic cancer patients. It is, then, one of the essential objectives of health care workers. The present study aimed to pinpoint the impact of pain self-management education on the pain severity and the quality of life in patients with metastatic cancers using complementary medicine approaches.

Methods:

This clinical trial study was performed in the Oncology Specialty Clinic of Ahvaz Golestan Hospital on 82 metastatic cancer patients picked based on inclusion criteria. They were randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention group and one as the control group. In the intervention group, pain self-management was taught in the three steps of providing information, skill development, and guidance. Self-management approaches were also practically taught face to face along with feedback. Furthermore, the quality of life was measured at 1-and 3-month follow-ups and the pain severity was measured during 7 weeks. In the control group, the quality of life questionnaire and the pain severity checklist were given to the participants to fill out. Finally, data were analyzed through SPSS version 22 in general and repeated-measures ANOVA and Friedman tests.

Results:

It was observed that after the intervention, the trend of pain severity during weeks 1–7 was significantly different in the intervention and control groups (P < 0.0001). In addition, a significant difference was observed for the quality of life at 1 and 3 months after the intervention between the two studied groups (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

Findings of the present study indicate a positive impact of pain self-management on improving pain severity and the indicators of quality of life in metastatic cancer patients. Accordingly, the current study findings can help nurses, nursing students, and other team members improve pain control skills and subsequently increase the quality of life in patients with metastatic cancers.

Effect of a psychological nursing intervention on quality of life and cognitive function in patients with gastric carcinoma: A randomised controlled trial

AIM

We aimed to evaluate the effect of a psychological nursing intervention on quality of life (QoL) and cognitive function in patients with gastric carcinoma (GC) and proposed that the intervention might improve the QoL and cognitive function of GC patients.

METHODS

Gastric carcinoma patients were randomly assigned into two groups: (a) intervention group: receiving proper psychological nursing intervention; (b) control group: receiving conventional care.

RESULTS

The QoL and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores at each dimensionality between the intervention group and the control group at baseline showed no significant differences (p > .05). However, after the 6-month psychological nursing intervention, 5 of 10 dimensionalities in QoL and 5 of 6 dimensionalities in MoCA showed statistically differences between the intervention group and the control group (p < .05). In comparison with the scores at baseline, the QoL scores measured after the 6-month psychological nursing intervention showed remarkable improvement in multiple dimensionalities in the intervention group, but only appetite loss improved in the control group. MoCA scores in multiple dimensionalities in the intervention group also exhibited obvious improvement compared with those in control group.

CONCLUSION

A psychological nursing intervention benefits the QoL and cognitive function in GC patients, indicating the importance of a psychological nursing intervention.

Sleep quality mediating the association of personality traits and quality of life among underground workers and surface workers of Chinese coal mine: A multi-group SEM with latent response variable mediation analysis

The aim of this study was to examine whether the association between personality traits and quality of life (QOL) was mediated by sleep quality in coal miners and to explore whether the relationship between surface workers and underground workers was different. The cross-sectional study including 3090 coal mine workers aged 20 to 65 years from Shanxi province of China was conducted. Personality traits, QOL and sleep quality were respectively assessed using Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised Short Scale for Chinese, World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF, and sleep status questionnaire. The multi-group SEM with latent response variable method was conducted to evaluate the association between personality traits and QOL mediated by sleep quality. The difference of indirect effects between two subgroups was examined by Wald chi-square test. For surface workers, underground workers and overall sample, passive personality traits had a negative impact on QOL through poor sleep quality, whereas the active personality traits acted the opposite. However, the difference of indirect effect between two subgroups was not statistically significant. These results indicated that sleep quality may act as a partial mediator in the relationship between personality traits and QOL, and the relationship may not be affected by working environment.

Concurrent chemoradiation therapy tailored to the older adults with esophageal cancer: state of the art and the future

Purpose

The aim of this study was to review the published literature addressing the question of whether geriatric assessment (GA) should be routinely applied in the treatment of older adults with esophageal cancer (EC) who have received definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (dCRT).

Materials and methods

A literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library was performed. Studies that contained original data outlining the inclusion and exclusion criteria, treatment compliance rate, and severe toxicity reports were reviewed. Additionally, criteria from ongoing clinical trials in the World Health Organization and National Institutes of Health registries were reviewed to evaluate the utilization of GA-related domains in elderly EC patients who received dCRT.

Results

Twenty-nine studies were identified based on the selection criteria: five were single-arm prospective studies, and the other studies were retrospective studies. All studies used chronological age and performance status as basic descriptors for this subpopulation. The comorbidity index and the malnutrition level were mentioned in several studies. However, factors such as “Demographic data and social support,” “Psychology,” “Polypharmacy,” and “Geriatric syndromes” were not described in any of the included studies. Unfortunately, the results were similar for the registered clinical trials. Finally, treatment compliance and toxicity profile were found to be acceptable in selected elderly EC patients.

Conclusion

The current experience for older adults with EC receiving dCRT is mainly based on the results of a series of retrospective studies. Ongoing clinical trials should routinely consider GA-related domains to select appropriate treatments for patients in the future.

Effect of Qi-cultivating and mood-soothing bodybuilding exercise on psychological mood and degree of satisfaction with care in stroke patients with gastrointestinal bleeding

AIM

To observe the effect of Qi-cultivating and mood-soothing bodybuilding exercise on psychological mood and degree of satisfaction with care in stroke patients with gastrointestinal bleeding.

METHODS

Sixty stroke patients with gastrointestinal bleeding hospitalized at Yiwu Central Hospital of Zhejiang Province from April 2014 to October 2014 were randomly divided into either a control group or an observation group, with 32 cases in each group. Both groups were given conventional nursing, and the observation group additionally did Qi-cultivating and mood-soothing bodybuilding exercise. Anxiety, depression, patient satisfaction with care, and rebleeding were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Compared with the values before intervention, the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores were significantly lower in both groups (P < 0.05), and the decrease in SAS and SDS scores was more significant in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). After intervention, the scores of service attitude and initiative, care and communication, and health education as well as total score were significantly higher (P < 0.05) and the rate of rebleeding was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Qi-cultivating and mood-soothing bodybuilding exercise can reduce anxiety and depression, improve the quality of life, and reduce rebleeding in stroke patients with gastrointestinal bleeding.

The effect of a nurse led telephone supportive care programme on patients' quality of life, received information and health care contacts after oesophageal cancer surgery-A six month RCT-follow-up study

BACKGROUND

Following oesophagectomy, a major surgical procedure, it is known that patients suffer from severely reduced quality of life and have an unmet need for postoperative support. Still, there is a lack of research testing interventions aiming to enhance the patients' life situation after this surgical procedure.

AIM

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a nurse led telephone supportive care programme on quality of life (QOL), received information and the number of healthcare contacts compared to conventional care following oesophageal resection for cancer.

METHOD

The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial (RCT) aiming to test the effect of a nurse led telephone supportive care program compared to conventional care. Patient assessments were conducted at discharge, 2 weeks, 2, 4 and 6 months after discharge and comprised evaluation of QOL, received information and the number of health care contacts. Statistical testing were conducted with repeated measurements analysis of variance to test if there were differences between the groups during follow-up.

RESULT

The results show that the intervention group was significantly more satisfied with received information for items concerning the information they received about things to do to help yourself, written information and for the global information score. The control group scored significantly higher on the item regarding wishing to receive more information and wish to receive less information. No effect of the intervention was shown on QOL or number of health care contacts.

CONCLUSION

Proactive nurse-led telephone follow-up has a significant positive impact on the patients' experience of received information. This is likely to have a positive effect on their ability to cope with a life that may include remaining side effects and adverse symptoms for a long time after surgery.

Efficacy of comprehensive mental nursing in patients with esophageal cancer during concurrent chemo-radiotherapy

AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of comprehensive mental nursing in patients with esophageal cancer during concurrent chemo-radiotherapy.

METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients with esophageal cancer who underwent concurrent chemo-radiotherapy at the Second People's Hospital of Lianyungang from October 2011 to October 2014 were randomly divided into a comprehensive nursing group and a routine nursing group, with 60 patients in each group. All patients were given the same chemo-radiotherapy. The patients in the comprehensive nursing group were given comprehensive mental nursing intervention by evaluating their mental status, individual needs and adverse reactions during concurrent chemo-radiotherapy, and the routine nursing group were only given conventional nursing. The quality of life after nursing intervention and the adverse reactions during concurrent chemo-radiotherapy were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.

RESULTS: The Spitzer quality of life index was significantly higher in the comprehensive nursing group than in the routine nursing group after nursing intervention (P < 0.001). The incidence rate of adverse reactions including gastrointestinal reactions, liver dysfunction, bone marrow suppression, renal dysfunction and radiotherapy-induced esophagitis was significantly lower in the comprehensive nursing group than in the routine nursing group (P = 0.006, 0.013, 0.003, 0.027, 0.010). Ten cases in the routine nursing group discontinued treatment due to serious adverse reactions, but all patients in the comprehensive nursing group completed the concurrent chemo-radiotherapy under supportive and symptomatic treatment.

CONCLUSION: Giving comprehensive mental nursing intervention to patients with esophageal cancer undergoing concurrent chemo-radiotherapy can significantly reduce and prevent adverse reactions and effectively improve the patients' quality of life.

Effect of picture-book reading on anxiety, depression and loneliness in hospitalized children with gastrointestinal disease

AIM: To investigate the effect of picture-book reading on anxiety, depression and loneliness in hospitalized children with gastrointestinal disease.

METHODS: One hundred and two children with gastrointestinal disease treated from January 2013 and November 2014 at our hospital were selected and randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 51 cases in each group. Cases in the control group were given conventional treatment and psychological nursing. Based on these, children in the observation group were additionally guided by a trained nurse to conduct picture-book reading. The scores of Screen for Children Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SEARED), Depression Self-rating Scale for Children (DSRSC), Children's Loneliness Scale (CLS) and satisfaction of children's families were compared between the two groups before and after intervention.

RESULTS: The total scores of SEARD, DSRSC and CLS were, respectively, 17.63 ± 4.72, 10.09 ± 4.51 and 21.54 ± 4.49 in the observation group after intervention, which were statistically lower than 23.51 ± 4.93, 13.26 ± 4.78 and 23.96 ± 4.58 in the control group (t = 6.152, 3.445, 2.695; P < 0.05). The degree of satisfaction of children's families in the observation group was significant higher than that in the control group (χ² = 11.304, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The picture-book reading introduced into the psychological nursing of hospitalized children with gastrointestinal disease could significantly reduce the levels of anxiety and depression and improve their sense of loneliness.

Quality of life measurements as an indicator for timing of support after oesophagectomy for cancer: a prospective study

Background

Oesophagectomy is a major procedure with known side effects and reduced postoperative quality of life (QOL). It has been shown that support of patients in their new life situation is often lacking. Knowledge about how QOL changes over time is fundamental for addressing patient needs and for determining the optimal timing of supportive care. The aim of this study was to identify QOL changes over time as well as factors that may impact patient QOL during the first year after oesophagectomy for cancer.

Methods

Patients operated on for adenocarcinoma or squamous cell cancer of the oesophagus were included in this study. Seventy-nine patients completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL questionnaires (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-OES18) before and 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months after surgery. A general linear model with repeated measurement analysis of variance was used for statistical testing.

Results

There was a significant QOL nadir at 2 months compared to 12 months after surgery (QLQ-C30 function scales p < 0.001, symptom scales p < 0.001, QLQ-OES18 scales p < 0.001). Treatment with proton-pump inhibitors was associated with enhanced QOL according to QLQ-C30 symptom scales (p = 0.003) and OES-18 scales (p = 0.015), but age, gender and American Society of Anaesthesiologists classification did not significantly impact QOL.

Conclusions

Patient QOL is severely hampered the first year after oesophagectomy for cancer, with a nadir at 2 months after surgery. Treatment with proton-pump inhibitors improved patient responses to symptom scales. Evidence of severely affected QOL after surgery indicates that these patients need support at an early stage after surgery. These results can be used by healthcare professionals to develop a postoperative supportive-care programme that is timed and better optimised to meet patient needs. Trial registration: EudraCT database 2009-009997-28.

Influence of psychological nursing intervention on signs of life and anxiety in patients with esophageal cancer

AIM: To explore the influence of psychological nursing intervention on signs of life and anxiety in patients with esophageal cancer.

METHODS: Eighty-four patients with esophageal cancer were randomly divided into either a control group or an experiment group. The control group received routine nursing, and the experiment group was additionally given psychological nursing intervention on the basis of routine nursing. The score of self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), heart rate, blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, breathing rate, and pulse rate were compared for the two groups.

RESULTS: The score of SAS was significantly lower after intervention than before intervention for the two groups (35.67 ± 5.72 vs 45.33 ± 6.34, 40.51 ± 5.91 vs 46.82 ± 6.77, P < 0.05), and in the experiment group than in the control group after intervention (35.67 ± 5.72 vs 40.51 ± 5.91, P < 0.05). The levels of heart rate, blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, breathing rate and pulse rate were significantly higher after intervention than before intervention in the control group (85.73/min ± 6.89/min vs 76.78/min ± 5.73/min, 133.78 mmHg ± 9.94 mmHg vs 107.55 mmHg ± 8.95 mmHg, 75.47 mmHg ± 6.77 mmHg vs 68.27 mmHg ± 4.44 mmHg, 28.45/min ± 0.66/min vs 24.67/min ± 1.45/min, 126.47 mmHg ± 6.77 mmHg vs 118.27 mmHg ± 4.44 mmHg, P < 0.05), but showed no significant difference for the experiment group (78.03/min ± 4.26/min vs 77.33/min ± 5.78/min, 112.45 mmHg ± 5.79 mmHg vs 106.46 mmHg ± 8.58 mmHg, 68.05 mmHg ± 3.68 mmHgvs 68.84 mmHg ± 5.78 mmHg, 23.78/min ± 0.44/min vs 25.54/min ± 1.67/min, 115.05 mmHg ± 6.68 mmHg vs 119.84 mmHg ± 6.78 mmHg, P > 0.05). The levels of heart rate, blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, breathing rate, and pulse rate after intervention were significantly lower in the experiment group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Psychological nursing intervention can relieve anxiety, keep the heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and pulse stable, and promote recovery in patients with esophageal cancer.