Effects of a web-based expert support self-management program (WEST) for women with breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial

WhatsApp-based intervention for people with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by prolonged elevated blood glucose levels. Diabetes self-management education and support programs are widely used in western countries. The impact of social media education and support interventions such as a WhatsApp-based program and the nurses' role in supporting and implementing this self-management program unclear. Using a WhatsApp-based program, we evaluated the effects of a 6-week program in improving self-efficacy and education among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabia. Eligible participants (n = 80) were recruited with the support of nurses into a randomized controlled trial and randomly assigned into self-management intervention and control groups. The intervention group (n = 40) received the self-management program support and the usual care. The control group (n = 40) received only the usual care with nurses' support. Results from generalized estimating equation analysis showed a significant increase in self-efficacy, self-management, and education in the WhatsApp-based intervention support group compared with the control group at 6 and 12 weeks (follow-up). Implementing the program via social media improves self-efficacy. The use of social media platforms should be promoted for global diabetes management.

Home-based self-management multimodal cancer interventions & cardiotoxicity: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Due to advancements in methods of cancer treatment, the population of people living with and beyond cancer is dramatically growing. The number of cancer survivors developing cardiovascular diseases and heart failure is also rising, due in part to the cardiotoxic nature of many cancer treatments. Guidelines are being increasingly released, emphasising the need for interdisciplinary action to address this gap in survivorship care. However, the extent to which interventions exist, incorporating the recommendations of cardio-oncology research, remains undetermined.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this scoping review is to assess the nature, extent and remit of existing cancer care interventions and their integration of cardio-oncology principles.

METHODS

The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews Guidelines. Databases were independently searched for articles from 2010 to 2022, by two members of the research team. Data were charted and synthesised using the following criteria: (a) the focus of the intervention (b) the medium of delivery (c) the duration (d) the modalities included in the interventions (e) the research articles associated with each intervention (f) the type of studies conducted (g) key measures used (h) outcomes reported.

RESULTS

Interventions encompassed six key modalities: Psychological Support, Physical Activity, Nutrition, Patient Education, Lifestyle and Caregiver Support. The focus, medium of delivery and duration of interventions varied significantly. While a considerable number of study protocols and pilot studies exist documenting HSMIs, only 25% appear to have progressed beyond this stage of development. Of those that have, the present review did not identify any 'feasible' interventions that covered each of the six modalities, while being generalisable to all cancer survivors and incorporating the recommendations from cardio-oncology research.

CONCLUSION

Despite the substantial volume of research and evidence from the field of cardio-oncology, the findings of this scoping review suggest that the recommendations from guidelines have yet to be successfully translated from theory to practice. There is an opportunity, if not necessity, for cardiac rehabilitation to expand to meet the needs of those living with and beyond cancer.

Development and validation of self-screening tool for nutrition risk in patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy: A study protocol

AIM

This study aims to develop and validate a clinical nutrition risk screening tool to predict nutrition risk in home for the patients with gastric cancer after surgery at home so that high-risk patients can be targeted for preventive nutrition care.

DESIGN

The development of self-screening tool for nutrition risk in patients with gastric cancer after gastrectomy (SNRSGC) through literature review, expert panel ratings and cognitive interview; the validation of SNRSGC is evaluated through prospective research on participants.

METHODS

This research is divided into four parts: Step 1, Identification of a potential referred nutritional risk screening; Step 2, Item generation and scoring are selected through literature review methods to screen sensitive indicators which can reflect the nutritional characteristics of patients after gastric cancer surgery, establish the frame and update according to the latest guidelines; Step 3, Item reduction is determined by the rating of SNRSGC items by an expert panel and cognitive interview; Step 4, During the validation stage, we conducted research design based on the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments checklist to evaluate the validity, reliability, interpretability and acceptability of SNRSGC.

RESULTS

SNRSGC is the first screening tool specifically to predict nutrition risk for stay-at-home postoperative patients with gastric cancer, which can help patients at home detect nutritional risks at home in time and guide patients to seek medical treatment as soon as possible to improve their nutritional status.

Effectiveness of internet-based support interventions on patients with breast cancer: a systematic review and narrative synthesis

OBJECTIVE

To identify the elements of internet-based support interventions and assess their effectiveness at reducing psychological distress, anxiety and/or depression, physical variables (prevalence, severity and distress from physical symptoms) and improving quality of life, social support and self-efficacy among patients with breast cancer.

DESIGN

Systematic review and narrative synthesis.

DATA SOURCES

Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP from over the past 5 years of each database to June 2021.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR STUDY SELECTION

Included were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental (QE) studies focusing on internet-based support interventions in patients with breast cancer.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Reviewers independently screened, extracted data and assessed risk of bias (Cochrane Collaboration' risk of bias tool, Joanna Briggs Institute reviewer's manual). Narrative synthesis included the effect and elements of internet-based support interventions for women with breast cancer.

RESULTS

Out of 2842 articles, 136 qualified articles were preliminarily identified. After further reading the full text, 35 references were included, including 30 RCTs and five QE studies. Internet-based support interventions have demonstrated positive effects on women's quality of life and physical variables, but inconsistent effectiveness has been found on psychological distress, symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, social support and self-efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Internet-based support interventions are increasingly being used as clinically promising interventions to promote the health outcomes of patients with breast cancer. Future research needs to implement more rigorous experimental design and include sufficient sample size to clarify the effectiveness of this internet-based intervention.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42021271380.

Effectiveness of mobile health-based self-management interventions in breast cancer patients: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To determine the effectiveness of mobile health-based self-management interventions on medical/behavioral, role, and emotional management in breast cancer patients.

METHODS

The Embase, MEDLINE, SINOMED, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang, and Weipu (VIP) databases were extensively searched from inception to November 30, 2020, to identify eligible clinical trials. Outcomes included medical/behavioral management (self-management behavior, functional exercise compliance, self-efficacy, complications, and symptoms), role management (role functioning), and emotional management (anxiety and depression), social support, and health-related quality of life.

RESULTS

Twenty-four studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that mobile health-based self-management interventions could potentially improve breast cancer patients' self-management behavior, functional exercise compliance (WMD = 15.80, 95% CI = 10.53 to 21.08, P < 0.001), self-efficacy (SMD = 1.22, 95% CI = 0.57 to 1.87, P < 0.001), and health-related quality of life (SMD = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.44 to 1.12, P < 0.001); reduce the incidence of lymphedema (RR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.15 to 0.26, P < 0.001); and relieve the level of anxiety (SMD =  - 0.67, 95% CI =  - 0.99 to - 0.35, P < 0.001). However, patients assigned to the mobile health group and the conventional care group did not differ significantly in symptom relief (including pain and fatigue), role functioning, depression, or social support (all P ≥ 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Mobile health-based self-management interventions can potentially facilitate the self-management and health-related quality of life of breast cancer patients.

Required Data Elements and Requirements of a Teleoncology System to Provide Treatment Plans for Patients with Breast Cancer

Background: Teleoncology refers to the use of telemedicine for remotely providing multiple specialized services in clinical oncology processes, including screening, diagnosis, treatment planning, consultation, supportive care, pathology, surgery, and follow-up services. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the required data elements and elicitation of requirements for developing a telemedicine system that aims at providing treatment plans for patients with breast cancer. Methods: In this study, the required data elements for the teleoncology system were identified through both the investigation of clinical guidelines and review of patients’ medical records. Identified data elements were determined by breast cancer specialists through the questionnaire. Besides, an interview method was applied to elicit the requirements of this system. Results: The identified data elements were categorized into 20 groups (e.g., clinical data, breast physical examinations, pathological results, tests, imaging results, etc.). From the 182 data elements included within the questionnaire, 125 were recognized to be necessary (n = 32, 100%). The lowest mean percentage were observed in magnesium blood test (Mg) (n = 21, 65.63%) and protein test (Pr) (n = 21, 65.63%). Other data elements with a minimum mean of 71.87% and a maximum mean of 100% were recognized necessary. In general, 2 major themes, 9 categories, and 45 related sub-categories were extracted from analyzing the findings of the interviews related to the system requirements. Conclusions: The findings of the present study can be used as a basis for developing teleoncology systems that aim at providing treatment plans for patients with breast cancer.