"An arena for sharing": exploring the joint involvement of patients and their relatives in a cancer rehabilitation intervention study

"The Most Fantastic Thing is Coming Here as an Individual and Going to Bed as Part of a Group": Participants' Experiences From a Residential Course, for People With Advanced Cancer

People who suffer from advanced cancer may experience a loss of ability to participate in everyday life and meaningful activities, challenging their sense of identity and social relations. Social support in patient-to-patient interactions and the sharing of experiences with people in similar situations may help alleviate distress. This article is based on an ethnographic field study carried out in relation to three residential narrative courses, which included 36 persons with advanced cancer. In this study, we aimed to explore whether the courses were perceived as significant by the participants and, if so, in what ways. The field work included 185 hr of observations, six focus group interviews and nine individual interviews. The data were analyzed using an abductive thematic approach. Our findings indicate that the residential courses were generally experienced as meaningful and that in particular the setting, the community, and gaining hope were experienced as significant.

The telehealth program of occupational therapy among older people: an up-to-date scoping review

BACKGROUND

The average life expectancy of older people is increasing, and most seniors desire to age at home and are capable of living independently. Occupational therapy (OT) is client-centered and uses patients' meaningful activities, or occupations, as treatment methods, thus playing an important role in later adulthood. Telemedicine removes the constraints of time and space, and the combination of OT and telemedicine can greatly improve medical efficiency and clinical effectiveness.

AIMS

The purpose of this scoping review was to examine the scope and effectiveness of telehealth OT for older people.

METHODS

This scoping review was conducted following the methodological framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley. We searched the literature in five databases following the PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Study design) guideline, from inception to April 2022. Two trained reviewers independently retrieved, screened, and extracted data, and used a descriptive synthesizing approach to summarize the results.

RESULTS

The initial search yielded 1249 studies from databases and manual searches, of which 20 were eligible and were included in the final review. A thematic analysis revealed five main themes related to telehealth OT: occupational assessment, occupational intervention, rehabilitation counseling, caregiver support, and activity monitoring.

CONCLUSIONS

Telehealth OT has been used widely for older people, focusing primarily on occupational assessment and intervention provided conveniently for occupational therapists and older clients. In addition, telehealth OT can monitor patients' activities and provide rehabilitation counseling and health education for the elderly and their caregivers, thus improving the security of their home life and the efficacy of OT. During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth will be an effective alternative to face-to-face modalities.

Use of narrative methods in rehabilitation and palliative care in Scandinavian countries: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Although narratives-including an ill person's life story, life situation and future perspectives-seem to lie at the core of rehabilitation and palliative care in Scandinavian countries, we lack a scope of how, when and where narrative methods are used. Such a scope could provide knowledge and inspiration on a practical as well as a policy level. The objective of this study is to explore the literature on the use of systematic, narrative methods in rehabilitative and palliative care for people with life-threatening illness in Scandinavian countries.

METHOD

We conducted a scoping review in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) where applicable. We performed a systematic search in CINAHL, Medline, PsychInfo, SOCIndex and SveMed+using the search terms 'life threatening illness', 'narratives', 'rehabilitation', 'palliative care' and 'Scandinavia', followed by a search for grey literature. We found 42 records to be eligible for this scope and extracted the data via piloted extraction tables.

RESULTS

We identified 17 narrative methods and present findings concerning four themes: (1) a record of the narrative methods used; (2) an objective and theoretical framework for the narrative methods; (3) the content and form of the narrative methods; and (4) the significance of the narrative methods used.

CONCLUSION

Narrative methods are used in systematic ways in rehabilitation and palliative care in Scandinavian countries and cover a wide variety of objectives, theoretical frames, forms and outcomes. Further development may benefit from more elaboration on definitions and the relationships between objectives, theoretical frameworks and outcomes.

Exploring the meaning, role and experiences of a patient-led social innovation for people affected by cancer: a new collaborative care model complementing traditional cancer rehabilitation in Sweden

Objective

Kraftens Hus is the first support centre in Sweden designed by and for people affected by cancer, including patients, family, friends, staff members and local community representatives (collectively ‘stakeholders’). The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning, role and experiences of Kraftens Hus stakeholders using a patient and public involved methodology.

Methods

To understand and map the experiences of visitors to Kraftens Hus, we applied concept mapping (CM), a mixed methods approach where data are collected and analysed in four structured steps designed to capture the diverse perspectives of multiple stakeholders. Qualitative interviews with relevant stakeholders supplemented the CM findings.

Results

The final concept map contained six clusters of ideas. Within the clusters, there was a recurring theme that cancer-affected people value accessible and long-term psychosocial support (PSS). The intended emotional, social and practical needs identified in a previous design process seem to have been addressed and appreciated by Kraftens Hus visitors.

Conclusion

Kraftens Hus is an example of a new patient-led social innovation based on a life-event perspective and integration of resources from different sectors in society. By focusing on life, not the disease, the care continuum expands, and long-term PSS is provided alongside cancer treatment. The evaluation confirms that PSS should focus on health and well-being in the broadest sense.

Psychosocial interventions for informal caregivers of people living with cancer

BACKGROUND

Increasingly, cancer is recognised as a chronic condition with a growing population of informal caregivers providing care for cancer patients. Informal caregiving can negatively affect the health and well-being of caregivers. We need a synthesised account of best evidence to aid decision-making about effective ways to support caregivers for individuals 'living with cancer'.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions designed to improve the quality of life (QoL), physical health and well-being of informal caregivers of people living with cancer compared with usual care.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, ProQuest, Open SIGLE, Web of Science from inception up to January 2018, trial registries and citation lists of included studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing psychosocial interventions delivered to adult informal caregivers of adults affected by cancer on a group or individual basis with usual care. Psychosocial interventions included non-pharmacological interventions that involved an interpersonal relationship between caregivers and healthcare professionals. We included interventions delivered also to caregiver-patient dyads. Interventions delivered to caregivers of individuals receiving palliative or inpatient care were excluded. Our primary outcome was caregiver QoL. Secondary outcomes included patient QoL, caregiver and patient depression, anxiety, psychological distress, physical health status and intervention satisfaction and adverse effects.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Pairs of review authors independently screened studies for eligibility, extracted data and conducted 'Risk of bias' assessments. We synthesised findings using meta-analysis, where possible, and reported remaining results in a narrative synthesis.

MAIN RESULTS

Nineteen trials (n = 3, 725) were included in the review. All trials were reported in English and were undertaken in high-income countries. Trials targeted caregivers of patients affected by a number of cancers spanning newly diagnosed patients, patients awaiting treatment, patients who were being treated currently and individuals post-treatment. Most trials delivered interventions to caregiver-patient dyads (predominantly spousal dyads) and there was variation in intervention delivery to groups or individual participants. There was much heterogeneity across interventions though the majority were defined as psycho-educational. All trials were rated as being at 'high risk of bias'.Compared to usual care, psychosocial interventions may improve slightly caregiver QoL immediately post intervention (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04 to 0.53; studies = 2, 265 participants) and may have little to no effect on caregiver QoL at 12 months (SMD 0.14, 95% CI - 0.11 to 0.40; studies = 2, 239 participants) post-intervention (both low-quality evidence).Psychosocial interventions probably have little to no effect on caregiver depression immediately to one-month post-intervention (SMD 0.01, 95% CI -0.14 to 0.15; studies = 9, 702 participants) (moderate-quality evidence). Psychosocial interventions may have little to no effect on caregiver anxiety immediately post-intervention (SMD -0.12, 95 % CI -0.33 to 0.10; studies = 5, 329 participants), depression three-to-six months (SMD 0.03, 95% CI -0.33 to 0.38; studies = 5. 379 participants) post-intervention and patient QoL six to 12 months (SMD -0.05, 95% CI -0.37 to 0.26; studies = 3, 294 participants) post-intervention (all low-quality evidence). There was uncertainty whether psychosocial interventions improve patient QoL immediately (SMD -0.03, 95 %CI -0.50 to 0.44; studies = 2, 292 participants) or caregiver anxiety three-to-six months (SMD-0.25, 95% CI -0.64 to 0.13; studies = 4, 272 participants) post-intervention (both very low-quality evidence). Two studies which could not be pooled in a meta-analysis for caregiver physical health status found little to no effect immediately post-intervention and a small intervention effect 12 months post-intervention. Caregiver or patient satisfaction or cost-effectiveness of interventions were not assessed in any studies. Interventions demonstrated good feasibility and acceptability.Psychosocial interventions probably have little to no effect on patient physical health status immediately post-intervention (SMD 0.17, 95 % CI -0.07 to 0.41; studies = 4, 461 participants) and patient depression three to six months post-intervention (SMD-0.11, 95% CI -0.33 to 0.12; studies = 6, 534 participants) (both moderate-quality evidence).Psychosocial interventions may have little to no effect on caregiver psychological distress immediately to one-month (SMD -0.08, 95% CI -0.42 to 0.26; studies = 3, 134 participants), and seven to 12 months (SMD 0.08, 95% CI -0.42 to 0.58; studies = 2, 62 participants) post-intervention; patient depression immediately (SMD -0.12, 95% CI -0.31 to 0.07; studies = 9, 852 participants); anxiety immediately (SMD -0.13, 95% CI -0.41 to 0.15;studies = 4, 422 participants), and three to six months (SMD -0.22, 95% CI -0.45 to 0.02; studies = 4, 370 participants); psychological distress immediately (SMD -0.02, 95% CI -0.47 to 0.44; studies = 2, 74 participants) and seven to 12 months (SMD -0.27, 95% CI -0.78 to 0.24; studies = 2, 61 participants); and physical health status six to 12 months (SMD 0.06, 95% CI -0.18 to 0.30; studies = 2, 275 participants) post-intervention (all low-quality evidence).Three trials reported adverse effects associated with the interventions, compared with usual care, including higher distress, sexual function-related distress and lower relationship satisfaction levels for caregivers, higher distress levels for patients, and that some content was perceived as insensitive to some participants.Trials not able to be pooled in a meta-analysis did not tend to report effect size and it was difficult to discern intervention effectiveness. Variable intervention effects were reported for patient and caregiver outcomes.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Heterogeneity across studies makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions regarding the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for this population. There is an immediate need for rigorous trials with process evaluations and clearer, detailed intervention descriptions. Cost-effectiveness studies should be conducted alongside future trials.

Dealing with cancer: a meta-synthesis of patients' and relatives' experiences of participating in psychosocial interventions

The aim was to synthesise patients' and relatives' experiences of participating in a psychosocial intervention related to having cancer. The study was a meta-synthesis inspired by Noblit & Hare's 'meta-ethnography' approach. We systematically searched six databases and included 33 studies in the meta-synthesis. Inclusion criteria were qualitative studies with relevance to the synthesis topic. The meta-synthesis conceptualised the way in which participants develop their way of living with cancer, and the role psychosocial interventions play in helping them to live through the illness. Five themes symbolising the participants' core experiences were identified: (1) Emotional relief and a sense of well-being, (2) normalisation of experiences and a sense of control, (3) shared experience and a sense of community, (4) a safe place and (5) transformation and adaptability. The findings indicated that psychosocial interventions were used to try to deal with the changes in the human conditions caused by cancer. Sharing their experiences and forming social relationships helped the participants adapt to cancer. An existential perspective may provide a nuanced understanding of patients' and relatives' experiences of participating in psychosocial interventions.

Storytelling as part of cancer rehabilitation to support cancer patients and their relatives

Previous research on psychosocial support for cancer-related concerns has primarily focused on either patients or their relatives, although limited research is available on how patients and their relatives can be supported together. The aim of this article is to explore the use of storytelling as a part of a residential cancer rehabilitation intervention for patients together with their relatives, with a specific focus on their management of cancer-related concerns. Ten pairs participated in the intervention and data were generated through ethnographic fieldwork, including participant observations, informal conversations and follow-up interviews conducted one month after completing the intervention. Analysis was performed drawing on narrative theory combined with social practice theory. The results demonstrate that the use of storytelling and metaphors intertwined with other course activities, such as dancing and arts & crafts, provided the patients and their relatives with strategies to manage cancer-related concerns, which they were later able to apply in their everyday lives. The study results may be useful to other professionals in clinical practice for rehabilitation purposes for addressing issues of fear and worry.

Involvement of patients with lung and gynecological cancer and their relatives in psychosocial cancer rehabilitation: a narrative review

INTRODUCTION

Getting cancer is stressful for most patients and their relatives, and research has shown that psychosocial support is needed. Still, cancer care fails to appropriately address psychosocial problems associated with cancer. Research on this topic is often seen from the perspective of either the patient or the relative, even though it is suggested that psychosocial support is beneficial for the patient and the relative as a pair. Furthermore, research on the need for psychosocial support rarely involves patients with gynecological and lung cancer and their relatives, even though they often suffer from isolation and stigmatization. The aim of this review was therefore to summarize knowledge about psychosocial support with regard to individual needs, involvement of significant others, and providers of psychosocial support focusing on this specific population.

METHOD

A narrative review procedure was chosen. This method is a specific kind of review, which summarizes, explains, and interprets evidence on a selected topic. The review process was structured according to typical scholarly articles with attention to the search and review process.

RESULTS

A total of 16 studies were included in the review. The studies were divided into two main categories: (1) studies focusing on needs for psychosocial support; and (2) studies focusing on interventions. The needs studies were analyzed, and three themes emerged: the needs of the patient and the significant other across the cancer trajectory; the needs of the significant other as a carer; and needs and ongoing and tailored support. The intervention studies were directed toward the patient and the relative, the patient, or the relative. Five interventions comprising various forms of support that were purely supportive and were carried out by healthcare professionals were identified.

CONCLUSION

There were overlaps between the needs of the patient and the relative, but there were also distinctive characteristics of the needs in the two groups. The needs varied during the cancer trajectory, and we therefore recommend that support be offered continuously. It was also evident that the relatives should be involved in the patients' care and that the involvement was beneficial for both the patient and the relative.

The Recovery Process When Participating in Cancer Support and Rehabilitation Programs in Sweden

The aim was to illuminate the meaning of participating in support and rehabilitation programs described by people diagnosed with cancer. Nineteen persons were interviewed in focus groups and face-to-face. Data were analyzed with a qualitative phenomenological hermeneutical method for researching lived experiences. Interpretation proceeded through three phases: naïve reading, structural analysis, and comprehensive understanding. Three themes were disclosed: receiving support for recovery when being most vulnerable, recapturing capabilities through supportive activities, and searching to find stability and well-being in a changed life situation. Participating in the programs was an existential transition from living in an unpredictable situation that was turned into something meaningful. Recovery did not mean the return to a state of normality; rather, it meant a continuing recovery from cancer treatments and symptoms involving recapturing capabilities and searching for a balance in a forever changed life. This study provides new insights about the experiences of participating in cancer support and rehabilitation programs.