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Lam CS, Ma CT, Li MCH, Wong CL, Loong HHF, Leung AWK, Li CK, Koon HK, Cheung YT. The use of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine in Chinese adolescent and young adult patients with cancer: A multicenter cross-sectional study. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2023; 66:102377. [PMID: 37499405 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2023.102377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer often experience unique physical and psychosocial complications. They may turn to traditional, complementary and integrative medicines (TCIM) to address these concerns. To examine the pattern of TCIM use among AYA patients with cancer and explored their preferences regarding TCIM education. METHODS Between August 2021 and December 2022, 246 patients diagnosed with cancer between 15 and 39 years old were recruited from hospitals in Hong Kong. They completed a structured questionnaire on TCIM use, symptom burden, psychological status and preference on education content. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of TCIM use, adjusting for age and sex. RESULTS Overall, 60.2% reported TCIM use, most commonly vitamins (24.0%) and Chinese herbal medicine (22.0%). The most common reasons for using TCIM were to improve general health (70.9%) and manage chronic symptoms (33.1%). Among patients on active treatment, TCIM users tend to report higher anxiety symptoms (aOR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.02-1.27). TCIM users who were post-treatment were more likely to have chronic comorbidities (aOR = 3.54, 95% CI = 1.29-11.5). AYA patients indicated that they would like TCIM information to address specific needs, particularly fatigue (53.7%) and psychological problems (54.1%). CONCLUSIONS The use of TCIM is common among AYA patients with cancer, especially among patients with high symptom burdens. A tailored education programme should be provided based on patients' preferences and needs. Healthcare professionals including oncologists and oncology nurses should communicate with AYA patients about TCIM use and address their needs by making evidence-based referrals/recommendations based on treatment status and symptom burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Sing Lam
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Chung Tin Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Michael Can Heng Li
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Cho Lee Wong
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Herbert Ho-Fung Loong
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Alex Wing Kwan Leung
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong
| | - Chi Kong Li
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Hong Kong Children's Hospital, Hong Kong; Hong Kong Hub of Paediatric Excellence, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ho Kee Koon
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yin Ting Cheung
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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Breakey VR, Gupta A, Johnston DL, Portwine C, Laverdiere C, May SL, Dick B, Hundert A, Nishat F, Killackey T, Nguyen C, Lalloo C, Stinson J. A Pilot Randomized Control Trial of Teens Taking Charge: A Web-based Self-management Program for Adolescents with Cancer. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY/ONCOLOGY NURSING 2022; 39:366-378. [PMID: 35759365 DOI: 10.1177/27527530211068778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Background: There is a lack of self-management tools for adolescents with cancer (AWC). This study evaluated the feasibility of Teens Taking Charge Cancer, a web-based self-management program. Methods: A pilot randomized control trial (RCT) was conducted across 4 pediatric oncology clinics. AWC (12-18 years) and their caregivers were randomized to either the intervention or control group. All were asked to complete 12 website modules over 12 weeks (at their own pace) and received monthly calls from health coaches. The intervention website was based on cognitive behavioral principals, designed as an interactive self-guided online program, while the control consisted of education and included links to 12 general cancer websites. Outcome assessments occurred at enrollment and 12 weeks post-intervention. The primary outcomes included rate of accrual and retention, adherence to the protocol, acceptability and satisfaction with intervention using questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, adverse events and engagement with the intervention. Results: Eighty-one teen-caregiver dyads were enrolled with a retention rate of 33%. In the intervention group 46% (n = 18) logged in at least once over the 12-week period. A mean of 2.4 of 12 modules (SD 3.0) were completed; and no one completed the program. Thirty-three percent of caregivers in the intervention logged into the website at least once and none completed the full program. Discussion: The results from this pilot study suggest that the current design of the Teens Taking Charge Cancer RCT lacks feasiblity. Future web-based interventions for this group should include additional features to promote uptake and engagement with the program.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Abha Gupta
- 7315The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Carol Portwine
- 103398McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Caroline Laverdiere
- Department of Pediatrics, 5622University of Montreal, Centre hospitalier universitaire Sainte-Justine (CHU Sainte-Justine), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sylvie Le May
- Faculté des sciences infirmières, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Bruce Dick
- Department of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine, Division of Pain and Medicine, 7979University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Amos Hundert
- 7315The Hospital for Sick Children, Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Fareha Nishat
- 7315The Hospital for Sick Children, Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tieghan Killackey
- 7315The Hospital for Sick Children, Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cynthia Nguyen
- 7315The Hospital for Sick Children, Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Chitra Lalloo
- 7315The Hospital for Sick Children, Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer Stinson
- 7315The Hospital for Sick Children, Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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