Mannix, C.M., Bartholomay, M.M., Doherty, C.S., Lewis, M., & Bilodeau, M.L. (2012). A feasibility study of low-cost, self-administered skin care interventions in patients with head and neck cancer receiving chemoradiation. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 16(3), 278–285.
To evaluate a low-cost, patient-administered skin care regimen for minimizing skin toxicities in patients with head and neck cancer receiving chemoradiation
A skin care algorithm was created that included a radiation dermatitis assessment (subjective and objective data and pertinent medical history); a skin toxicity grading; and the management of skin toxicities based on patients' grades. Patients were given laminated cards with specific skin care instructions and were provided with verbal instructions. Teaching included: wash daily with mild soap (e.g., Dove) and warm water TID; be gentle (do not scrub); pat skin dry; apply Aveeno® moisturizer to skin in treated area; do not apply lotions within four hours of radiation treatment; keep skin moist; keep well hydrated; maximize nutrition; provide loose clothing; avoid friction; and protect skin from sun (e.g., sunscreen with SPF 30 and lip balm with sunscreen). For skin toxicities of grade 2 or higher, a consult was made to a clinical nurse specialist with consideration for a consult to a burn clinic for alternative skin products. Data were collected at baseline and at weekly intervals. At least three clinicians reviewed and compared both the National Cancer Institute (NCI) grades and digital photographs to reach 100% inter-rater agreement.
Prospective, descriptive study design
Investigators developed a demographic data collection form and a weekly skin care diary. Skin grading was assessed using the NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE v3.0) grading scale for dermatitis associated with chemoradiation.
The verbal instructions and laminated skin care instructions provided to the subjects in this study proved to be an affordable regimen to which patients could easily adhere. These interventions, combined with increased patient–provider interaction at weekly assessments, most likely contributed to the high level of adherence.
Nurses can promote positive patient outcomes through proactive patient education, the early initiation of a skin care regimen, and the ongoing reinforcement of skin care interventions that may be beneficial in minimizing skin toxicities. Empowering patients to become active participants in their care may also contribute to positive outcomes. It is within nursing scope-of-practice to provide educational cards to patients for education and to promote skin care during treatment.
Manne, S.L., Winkel, G., Rubin, S., Edelson, M., Rosenblum, N., Bergman, C., . . . Rocereto, T. (2008). Mediators of a coping and communication-enhancing intervention and a supportive counseling intervention among women diagnosed with gynecological cancers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 76, 1034–1045.
To implement two psychological interventions to evaluate the effects of coping and communication-enhancing intervention (CCI) and supportive counseling (SC) on depressive symptoms.
Subjects were randomized into three groups based on Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) baseline score. CCI and SC groups consisted of six individual sessions of one-hour each plus one telephone session one week after the sixth individual session. There was a pre-intervention baseline questionnaire, and measures were repeated three times—at three months, six months, and nine months. Data were collected over six years, but each participant was involved for only the nine months of repeated measures.
There were no significant differences in depressive symptoms in any group over time or at any point in time. Depressive symptoms declined in all groups over time. Compared with UC, people in the CCI group showed significant effect interventions on BDI (p = .037). There was a significant effect of the SC intervention on depressive symptoms compared with the UC condition (p = .0169). People in the CCI group also showed mixed results of association with the measures of COPE and emotional expression. The SC condition significantly was associated with higher levels of cancer-related emotional expression, emotional processing, positive reappraisal, and seeking instrumental support. Acceptance, positive reappraisal, self-esteem, cancer-related emotional expression, and expression of positive emotion significantly were related to depressive symptoms.
Neither of the treatments showed a significant impact on cancer-specific distress.
This was a complex study but indicated a clearly positive impact of CCI and SC on depressive symptoms over time when compared to the UC group. A model depicting variables, mediators, and their strengths of association would help to clarify the actions, impacts, and interactions discovered in this study.
Manne, S.L., Rubin, S., Edelson, M., Rosenblum, N., Bergman, Hernandez, E., . . . Winkel, G. (2007). Coping and communication-enhancing intervention versus supportive counseling for women diagnosed with gynecological cancers. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 75(4), 615–628.
To compare the efficacy of two psychological interventions to the efficacy of usual care
The coping- and communication-enhancing intervention (CCI) involved challenging assumptions and talking about thoughts and feelings with others. Six hour-long individual sessions were supplemented with a final by-telephone booster session. Session content focused on enhancing coping, educating, and practicing skills; home practice assignments were included. Supportive counseling (SC) involved six hour-long sessions and a by-telephone booster. Rather than topic discussion, SC stressed reactions to cancer, support of existing coping behaviors, and autonomy. Usual care included routine social work consultations. Nineteen experienced therapists provided intervention. Participants were randomly assigned to CCI, SC, or usual care and were assessed preintervention and at three, six, and nine months.
The study included 353 women with primary gynecologic cancer who were in active treatment.
For all patients, symptoms of depression decreased at first. For patients in CCI and SC, symptoms of depression remained relatively flat after six months, but in usual care they began to increase. Authors reported no significant difference between the interventions’ effects and no impact of either intervention on cancer-specific distress.
Manne, S.L., Kissane, D.W., Nelson, C.J., Mulhall, J.P., Winkel, G., & Zaider, T. (2011). Intimacy-enhancing psychological intervention for men diagnosed with prostate cancer and their partners: A pilot study. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 8(4), 1197–1209.
To evaluate (a) the impact of an intimacy-enhancing therapy (IET) versus a usual care (UC) program on survivor and partner psychological outcomes, including distress, well-being, and relationship outcomes (relationship satisfaction and intimacy), (b) the impact of an IET on relationship communication, and (c) the role of preintervention levels of each outcome variable on post-IET intervention outcome variables
Participants received assignment to either an IET or a UC group. The IET intervention consisted of five 90-minute couple sessions delivered by a trained therapist. This person focused on improving couples’ ability to comfortably share their thoughts and feelings to promote mutual understanding and support for cancer concerns and to facilitate emotional intimacy. The IET program techniques evolved from cognitive-behavioral and behavioral marital therapy practice and other published communication skills interventions adapted for prostate cancer. Careful attention was made to ensuring treatment fidelity by videotaping sessions and using manuals to structure the intervention. UC group participants received standard clinic psychosocial care. The IET group received the same surveys following the fifth and final session of the IET (approximately two months post-baseline). The UC and IET participants who did not complete sessions received a second round of surveys eight weeks after baseline assessment.
A pre/post-test pilot design was used.
Seventy-three percent of IET couples attended 80% or more of the sessions, but another 21.6% of the IET group did not attend any sessions following random assignment to the IET group. Treatment fidelity on 114 of 138 sessions averaged 87.4%. Intervention survivors and partners rated the sessions as “quite successful,” but only 72% of the intervention group reported completion of homework assignments as part of the IET program. With study attrition, an intent-to-treat statistical analysis approach was used.
There were no significant treatment effects for general distress, cancer-specific distress, and relationship intimacy for either survivors or partners. There were no significant treatment differences for relationship communication for either survivors or partners. IET effects were largely moderated by baseline couple relationship and psychosocial factors (individual distress). Survivors who had high levels of cancer concerns at baseline significantly reduced those concerns post-IET. Moderating effects of preintervention levels for self-disclosure and perceived partner disclosure and responsiveness resulted from the intervention. The IET program improved cancer-specific distress, low intimacy, martial satisfaction, and communication if a couple experienced problems in these areas before the intervention.
The IET had a marginally significant (p = 0.08) main effect on survivor well-being and improved overall outcomes for couples with fewer personal and relationship resources. Couples with more resources (e.g., higher educational level, stronger marital ties) experienced no improvement from the IET program.
Interventions such as the IET may prove valuable for couples challenged by treatment and outcomes of prostate cancer treatment. As members of the healthcare team, nurses have an obligation to assess prostate cancer survivors about their overall coping skills, learning, and relationship needs to offer patient- and couple-centered interventions to improve the quality of their relationships and adjustment to living with prostate cancer.
Manne, S.L., Ostroff, J.S., Winkel, G., Fox, K., Grana, G., Miller, E., . . . Frazier, T. (2005). Couple-focused group intervention for women with early stage breast cancer. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 73, 634–646.
The intervention was a couple-focused support group intervention (90-minute group session over six weeks). The intervention consisted of enhanced support exchanges and coping skills between women with cancer and their partners. One group received the intervention and one group received usual care, which included social work consultations for all women and referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist if indicated. Assessments occurred initially, after the first group session, at the end of group session 6, and at six months for follow-up.
A longitudinal, randomized controlled trial design was used.
Analysis evaluated subgroups of data using growth curves models approach with three-step procedure. For first step, time was considered the only explanatory variable. For second step, demographic, medical, site, treatment, and psychological covariates were examined. Third step examined moderator effects by crossing the intervention group main effect with time and the proposed mean-centered moderators. All multiple mean comparisons were adjusted with Tukey.
Women attending sessions reported significantly less distress and anxiety levels than did women receiving usual care or those who dropped out of the intervention (p = 0.0171). Findings suggest that women who rated their partners as more unsupportive and those who had greater physical impairment had an increased response to the intervention compared to women in the control group. Thirty-five percent dropped out of the intervention. Results via ITT analysis: First step (time) indicated significant decline in anxiety over time ([t344] = -2.21, p = 0.0280) and significant differences among participants both in preintervention anxiety (z = 8.02, p < 0.0001) and in the rates at which anxiety changed over time (z = 2.38, p = 0.0085). Second and third steps steps indicated that interactions involving the intervention group were not significant for anxiety. Effect sizes of intervention were small, ranging from 0.2 to 0.7.
Effect sizes were relatively small (0.2–0.7).
Mangili, G., Petrone, M., Gentile, C., De Marzi, P., Vigano, R., & Rabaiotti, E. (2008). Prevention strategies in palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia onset: The role of regional cooling. Gynecologic Oncology, 108, 332–335.
To evaluate the effectiveness of strategies to prevent palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) incidence, including regional cooling, behavioral rules, and lower-dose pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD), in patients with gynecologic malignancies.
PLD doses ranged from 30 to 50 mg/m2 every 21 to 28 days. All patients received premedication with oral dexamethasone 8 mg (12 hours before PLD) and pyridoxine 300 mg PO daily. All patients were advised to follow strict behavioral rules: keep skin well hydrated, avoid sunlight, minimize trauma to the hands and feet, avoid contact with warm water, and avoid hot foods and liquids. Patients who were enrolled from 2001 to December 2003 were in the non–regional cooling group (n = 25), whereas patients who were enrolled from January 2004 to 2006 were in the regional cooling group (n = 28). Patients received regional cooling (application of ice packs around wrists and ankles) and icicles during PLD infusion.
Obstetrical/Gynecological Department at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, Italy
This was a prospective, observational, single-center, nonrandomized study.
Skin toxicity was graded according to National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) criteria.
The incidence of PPE was significantly higher in the non–regional cooling group (n = 9, 36%) compared to the regional cooling group (n = 2, 7%; p = 0.0097).
Multivariant analysis revealed the use of a regional cooling protocol and lower PLD dosage were significant factors in reducing the onset and incidence of PPE. The authors estimated the probability of developing PPE in a patient who receives 30 to 35 mg/m2 of PLD and follows the regional cooling protocol is 1.42%. Conversely, a patient who does not adapt this regional cooling protocol and receives 40 to 50 mg/m2 of PLD every three weeks has a 60.41% estimated probability of developing PPE.
Mangili, G., Petrone, M., Gentile, C., De Marzi, P., Vigano, R., & Rabaiotti, E. (2008). Prevention strategies in palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia onset: The role of regional cooling. Gynecologic Oncology, 108, 332–335.
To evaluate the effectiveness of strategies to prevent palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) incidence, including regional cooling, behavioral rules, and lower-dose pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD), in patients with gynecologic malignancies.
PLD doses ranged from 30 to 50 mg/m2 every 21 to 28 days. All patients received premedication with oral dexamethasone 8 mg (12 hours before PLD) and pyridoxine 300 mg PO daily. All patients were advised to follow strict behavioral rules: keep skin well hydrated, avoid sunlight, minimize trauma to the hands and feet, avoid contact with warm water, and avoid hot foods and liquids. Patients who were enrolled from 2001 to December 2003 were in the non–regional cooling group (n = 25), whereas patients who were enrolled from January 2004 to 2006 were in the regional cooling group (n = 28). Patients received regional cooling (application of ice packs around wrists and ankles) and icicles during PLD infusion.
Obstetrical/Gynecological Department at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, Italy
This was a prospective, observational, single-center, nonrandomized study.
Skin toxicity was graded according to National Cancer Institute (NCI) and Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) criteria.
The incidence of PPE was significantly higher in the non–regional cooling group (n = 9, 36%) compared to the regional cooling group (n = 2, 7%; p = 0.0097).
Multivariant analysis revealed the use of a regional cooling protocol and lower PLD dosage were significant factors in reducing the onset and incidence of PPE. The authors estimated the probability of developing PPE in a patient who receives 30 to 35 mg/m2 of PLD and follows the regional cooling protocol is 1.42%. Conversely, a patient who does not adapt this regional cooling protocol and receives 40 to 50 mg/m2 of PLD every three weeks has a 60.41% estimated probability of developing PPE.
Mandhaniya, S., Swaroop, C., Thulkar, S., Vishnubhatla, S., Kabra, S.K., Xess, I., & Bakhshi, S. (2011). Oral voriconazole versus intravenous low dose amphotericin B for primary antifungal prophylaxis in pediatric acute leukemia induction: A prospective, randomized, clinical study. Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, 33, e333–e341.
The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of oral voriconazole to IV low-dose amphotericin B in pediatric patients with acute leukemia.
Oral variconazole was administered at a dose of 6 mg/kg per dose for initial two doses followed by 4 mg/kg per dose twice daily one hour before meals. Low-dose IV amphotericin B was administered at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg per day three times a week. Before administration of amphotericin B all patients received diphehydramine IV and oral paracetamol as premedication and saline hydration post infusion. Systemic antifungals were not allowed for use before patients underwent the trial. Complete blood count, liver function tests, and renal function tests were done at least twice weekly until seven days after completion or failure.
Randomized, non-stratified, open-label, single-institution pilot study.
The overall probable, proven, and possible fungal infections were 5% in the study. In the voriconazole arm, 28% had failure of prophylaxis compared to 34% failure rate in the amphotericin B arm. No differences were noted between groups in proven, probable, and possible fungal infections. Those receiving the voriconazole had significantly less toxicity, with 6% of patients in variconazole arm having any serious adverse event (SAE) compared to 31% in the amphotericin B arm (hypokalemia) (p < 0.001). With the amphotericin B arm, 50% had infusion reactions.
Oral voriconazole seemed to be comparable with amphotericin B, with less toxicity and more convenience.
Potential increased need for patient and caregiver education regarding oral medication administration. Continued research in comparable efficacy of antifungal agents will be helpful in order to select effective agents that are least toxic, practical, and cost effective.
Mancuso, A., Migliorino, M., De Santis, S., Saponiero, A., & De Marinis, F. (2006). Correlation between anemia and functional/cognitive capacity in elderly lung cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Annals of Oncology, 17, 146–150.
To investigate whether any association exists between hemoglobin (Hgb) levels and functional capacity, cognitive impairment, and comorbidities in older adult patients with lung cancer who were treated with chemotherapy
Patients were evaluated prior to the initiation of chemotherapy (baseline) and before each subsequent cycle (after 21 days) for quality of life, mental capacity, functional status, depression, and comorbidities.
A descriptive prospective study design was used.
Hgb level was significantly correlated with cognitive function at baseline prior to chemotherapy (r = 0.61, p < 0.002), as well as after one (r = 0.48, p < 0.002) and two cycles (r = 0.60, p < 0.002) of chemotherapy. A significant association was discovered between the change in Hgb levels and cognitive capacity as defined by the MMSE after the first (r = 0.48, p < 0.002) and second cycle (r = 0.60, p < 0.002) of chemotherapy. Significant associations were found between Hgb levels and VAS, CIRS-G, ADL, IADL assessments, and GDS at baseline and GDS at baseline and after one and two cycles of chemotherapy (p < 0.05). The strength of these correlations varied. Change in Hgb level was associated with the change in all above parameters with the exception of IADL, which was not significant.
Although the study was not designed to demonstrate a clinical benefit of erythropoietin on cognitive function during treatment, the authors noted that 14 patients who received erythropoietin during the first two cycles of chemotherapy experienced increases in the Hgb level and CGA indexes whereas patients who did not receive erythropoietin had a lowering of the Hgb levels and worsening of their CGA scores.
Mañas, A., Ciria, J.P., Fernández, M.C., Gonzálvez, M.L., Morillo, V., Pérez, M., . . . López-Gómez, V. (2011). Post hoc analysis of pregabalin vs. non-pregabalin treatment in patients with cancer-related neuropathic pain: Better pain relief, sleep and physical health. Clinical and Translational Oncology, 13, 656–663.
To assess whether the use of pregabalin in combined therapy provides better health outcomes in patients with cancer-related neuropathic pain
This study was a post hoc analysis of data from a previous epidemiologic study of clinical prevalence and analgesic management of neuropathic pain. Patients who received pregabalin versus those who did not were compared. Analgesic management was done at the individual physician’s discretion. Patients had a baseline visit and a final visit at eight weeks. In the initial study, patients were not randomized to different treatment, and numerous other interventions for analgesia were done.
Patients were undergoing active antitumor treatment.
The study was a post hoc analysis of data from a previous epidemiologic study.
The most frequent cause of neuropathic pain was the tumor itself, and cisplatin was the most frequently used chemotherapeutic agent. Fentanyl patches were used more frequently in the pregabalin group. Pain intensity improved in all patients at eight weeks, but improved more with pregabalin (change = 0, 9 points, p = 0.0084). Depression and anxiety decreased significantly in both groups. Physical component and mental component scores on the SF-12 improved in all patients, but improved more in those on pregabalin. When data were adjusted for age and sex, differences from baseline scores were less than 1. There were significant differences in groups in other medications used, numbers of analgesic interventions, and amount of radiation therapy treatment.
It is difficult to draw any firm conclusions regarding efficacy of pregabalin from this study due to the differences in multiple other variables between study groups that could also affect the outcome measures used here. Changes from baseline measures seen at eight weeks were significant, but very small, raising the question of the clinical significance of results.
No firm conclusions can be drawn from these results due to study limitations. Findings aim to show that use of pregabalin for neuropathic pain improves symptoms and health outcomes. Differences from baseline reported here were small, suggesting lack of meaningful differences from a clinical perspective. Results point to the need for nurses to recognize the difference between statistical and clinical significance in evaluating intervention effects.