Kardinal, C.G., Loprinzi, C.L., Schaid, D.J., Hass, A.C., Dose, A.M., Athmann, L.M., . . . Schray, M.F. (1990). A controlled trial of cyproheptadine in cancer patients with anorexia and/or cachexia. Cancer, 65(12), 2657–2662.
Cyproheptadine in patients with advanced malignant disease showed mild appetite enhancement but no significant weight enhancing effect.
Karagozoglu, S., & Filiz Ulusoy, M.F. (2005). Chemotherapy: The effect of oral cryotherapy on the development of mucositis. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 14, 754–765.
The study group used oral cryotherapy, via ice cubes “at a size that could be moved easily in the mouth and whose corners have been smoothed in order that they will not cause irritation in the mouth,\" beginning five minutes before chemotherapy initiation and maintained use during IV infusions of etoposide, platinol, mitomycin, and vinblastin. For random allocation, patients were assigned to the study group or a control group in sets of five.
The study was conducted at a respiratory disease clinic in Turkey from August 2000 to May 2001.
Karagozoglu, S., & Kahve, E. (2013). Effects of back massage on chemotherapy-related fatigue and anxiety: Supportive care and therapeutic touch in cancer nursing. Applied Nursing Research, 26, 210–217.
To determine efficacy of back massage on fatigue and anxiety in patients receiving chemotherapy
Before chemotherapy infusions were started, patients completed study data collection in face-to-face interviews. During chemotherapy administrations, patients in the intervention group received a back massage for 15 minutes before the infusions and between 25–40 minutes of each one-hour period of chemotherapy administration. Data collection was repeated immediately after the massage intervention, and patients were interviewed by phone 24 hours after the chemotherapy treatment for the completion of postintervention data collection. Patients were not randomly assigned to treatment and control groups.
Quasi-experimental, cross-sectional cohort study
Fatigue scores were significantly different between groups at baseline and higher in the control group the day after chemotherapy. There were no significant differences between groups in the change of fatigue pre- and postintervention. Mean anxiety scores in the control group increased after chemotherapy while those in the intervention group declined. Differences between groups were not statistically significant.
Findings provide limited evidence that back massages may be helpful in reducing anxiety and fatigue experienced during treatment with chemotherapy.
Massage is a low-risk intervention that may be helpful to some patients during active chemotherapy treatment to reduce anxiety or fatigue. This study, however, does not provide strong supportive evidence due to multiple study design limitations.
Karagozoglu, S., Tekyasar, F., & Yilmaz, F.A. (2013). Effects of music therapy and guided visual imagery on chemotherapy-induced anxiety and nausea-vomiting. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 22, 39–50.
To examine effects of music and visual imagery on anxiety and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients receiving chemotherapy
Patients were assigned to the control group during their second cycle of chemotherapy and to the experimental condition during the third cycle of chemotherapy. Anxiety and CINV were measured before and after chemotherapy administration. Nature paintings were used for visual imagery, and instrumental Turkish music was selected for each image. Patients selected the image that was most appealing to them and were told to imagine being in the location of the painting. Patients were given the related music CD to listen to during chemotherapy with headphones.
The study was conducted at a single site, outpatient setting in Turkey.
Patients were undergoing active antitumor treatment.
A pre- and post-test repeated measures, single-group design was used.
Anxiety declined from prechemotherapy to postchemotherapy administration in both conditions. Both pre- and postchemotherapy state anxiety levels were lower during the intervention course of treatment. CINV declined over time for both pre- and postchemotherapy administration. Both pre- and postchemotherapy CINV levels were significantly lower during the intervention condition.
This study does not provide any clear conclusions about the effects of music and visual imagery.
Findings are inconclusive regarding the efficacy of music and visual imagery for anxiety and CINV during chemotherapy administration because of numerous study design and analysis limitations.
Karadibak, D., Yavuzsen, T., & Saydam, S. (2008). Prospective trial of intensive decongestive physiotherapy for upper extremity lymphedema. Journal of Surgical Oncology, 97(7), 572–577.
To evaluate the effects of kinesiophobia, quality of life, and home exercise programs on women with upper-extremity lymphedema
All patients underwent complete decongestive physiotherapy consisting of a combination of manual lymph drainage using the Foldi method, multi-layer bandages, remedial exercise, and skin care.
The study was conducted at a single-site outpatient setting at Dokuz Eylul University Hospital.
The study used a prospective trial design.
A correlation between severity of edema and fear of activity was established. Increased fear of activity showed to decrease quality of life.
Encouraging activity and education are important for the management of lymphedema in patients after sentinel node biopsy.
Karaca, H., Bozkurt, O., Ozaslan, E., Baldane, S., Berk, V., Inanc, M., ... Ozkan, M. (2014). Positive effects of oral beta-glucan on mucositis and leukopenia in colorectal cancer patients receiving adjuvant FOLFOX-4 combination chemotherapy. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 15(8), 3641–3644.
To examine the effect of oral beta-glucan on leukocytes, neutrophils, platelets, oral mucositis, and diarrhea in a group of patients with colorectal cancer who received adjuvant FOLFOX-4 and were at high risk for these side effects
Sixty-two consecutive patients admitted with colorectal cancer and treated with FOLFOX-4 between July 2009 and July 2010 were divided into two equal groups to receive beta-glucan 50 mg per day for at least one week with FOLFOX-4 for the first cycle or only FOLFOX-4. Leukocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts were obtained, and oral mucositis and diarrhea were graded one day before and one week after chemotherapy.
A retrospective study of consecutively-admitted patients.
Oral mucositis and diarrhea were observed in six (19%) patients in the treatment group and in 13 (42%) patients in the control group. Statistical analysis could not be done because of the limited number of patients. There were no beta-glucan-induced side effects reported. There was no difference in the leukocyte and neutrophil counts before and after chemotherapy in the treatment group. The platelet count difference before and after chemotherapy was significant (p = 0.048). The difference between baseline and after chemotherapy was significant (p = < 0.01) for median leukocyte, neutrophil, and platelet counts in the control group.
Oral beta-glucan showed some effectiveness in reducing oral mucositis or diarrhea in patients receiving FOLFOX-4. Results are difficult to interpret because no statistical analysis could be performed comparing the two groups.
In this study, beta-glucan showed some relief of oral mucositis and diarrhea in participants. The study, however, was small, and statistical analysis was not possible due the number of participants enrolled. Additionally, all patients enrolled in this study were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and received FOLFOX-4 treatment, so the results may not be generalizable to other populations. At this time, other interventions should be considered to relieve symptoms associated with oral mucositis and diarrhea corresponding to chemotherapy treatment.
Kara, I., Apiliogullari, S., Oc, B., Celik, J.B., Duman, A., Celik, C., & Dogan, N.U. (2012). The effects of intrathecal morphine on patient-controlled analgesia, morphine consumption, postoperative pain and satisfaction scores in patients undergoing gynaecological oncological surgery. Journal of International Medical Research, 40, 666–672.
To compare the impact of intrathecal morphine (ITM) plus patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) versus PCA alone on morphine consumption, pain relief, and patient satisfaction after gynecologic-oncologic surgery (GOS)
Patients were randomized to an ITM plus PCA group or a PCA-only control group. Study patients received 0.3 mg ITM at the L3-L4 or L4-L4 vertebral level, and control patients received a needle puncture only. The same anesthesiologist performed all procedures. All patients received an initial morphine bolus of 0.05 mg/kg if pain was > 60 (0–100) on a Visual Analog Scale in the postanesthesia care unit. The PCA was reprogrammed for all patients to deliver a 1.5 mg bolus with a seven-minute lockout after patients were discharged from the postanesthesia care unit. Measurements were taken at 30 minutes and at one, three, six, 12, 24, and 48 hours.
Prospective, randomized, double-blinded study
Primary Measures
Pain scores were assessed using a 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 0 mm = no pain, and 100 mm = worst pain imaginable). Patient satisfaction was measured using a 100 mm VAS (0 = very unsatisfied, and 100 = very satisfied), and cumulative PCA morphine consumption (mg) was calculated.
Secondary Measures
Patients were directly asked if they experienced nausea, vomiting, or pruritus. Rescue medication was administered for nausea and vomiting. The number of patients who verbally reported secondary measures and who received rescue medications were recorded.
Sedation was assessed using a five-point scoring scale (0 = fully awake, 1 = drowsy, closed eyes, 2 = asleep but easily aroused with light tactile stimulation or simple verbal command, 3 = asleep and aroused only by strong physical stimulation, and 4 = could not be aroused. Fatigue also was assessed on a four-point scale (0 = none, and 4 = severe). Respiratory depression was defined by a rate of less than 10 breaths per minute and was reversed by administering 0.1 mg of IV naloxone every five minutes until adequate respiration was restored.
Primary Outcomes
Patients in the ITM plus PCA group had a lower consumption of morphine (p < 0.0001 at all time points). There was no statistic difference in pain or patient satisfaction scores.
Secondary Outcomes
There was no statistic difference in sedation, nausea, pruritus, or fatigue between the two groups.
ITM plus PCA significantly reduced morphine consumption compared to PCA alone in the first 48 hours after GOS. The intervention, however, did not decrease pain scores or improve patient satisfaction. Both the intervention and the control group reported similar levels of the secondary side effects measured in this study.
ITM plus PCA may be a viable option to decrease overall morphine consumption for patients in whom this is a desired outcome as it did not increase adverse side effects. However, the addition of ITM did not improve postoperative pain scores or overall patient satisfaction in patients receiving GOS.
Kapoor, N., Naufahu, J., Tewfik, S., Bhatnagar, S., Garg, R., & Tewfik, I. (2016). A prospective randomized controlled trial to study the impact of a nutrition-sensitive intervention on adult women with cancer cachexia undergoing palliative care in India. Integrative Cancer Therapies. Advance online publication.
To assess the efficacy of a whole wheat flour mix along with local ingredients (IATTA) with counseling to enhance dietary intake, physical activity, and quality of life (QOL)
Patients in the intervention group received 14 packets of IATTA every two weeks during appointments along with 30 minutes of counseling by a qualified nutritionist at each visit. They were advised to eat the contents of one whole packet along with their daily diet. Physical activity, such as walking, was also encouraged during counseling sessions. Patients in the control group received 30 minutes of counseling only by a qualified nutritionist at each visit.
Anthropometric measurements of nutritional status, physical activity, and QOL measurements:
Fifty-one percent of patients completed the study. Patients in the intervention group tended to gain weight, but it was not statistically significant. Patients in the control group showed statistically significant weight loss (p = 0.003) and reduced MUAC (p = 0.006). Body fat increased significantly in the intervention group (p = 0.002) and decreased significantly in the control group (p = 0.032) at the end of the six-month intervention period from baseline. At the end of six months, significant energy intake increased in the intervention group (p = 0.001) with carbohydrates (p = 0.001), protein (p = 0.001), and fat (p = 0.006), respectively. Physical activity recall showed significantly reduced activity in the control group (p = 0.004). Patients in the intervention group did not show a change in physical activity. The intervention group showed a statistically significant improvement in QOL in factors such as fatigue (p = 0.002) and appetite loss (p = 0.006). The control group showed a statistically significant decrease in the domains of global health status (p = 0.018) and social functioning (p = 0.004). At the end of six months, global health status, social functioning, appetite, and fatigue showed significant differences between the two groups (p < 0.001).
Nutrition therapy and supplementation within palliative care may improve QOL and stabilize weight in patients with cancer and cachexia. Nearly 50% of patients did not complete the study, so further study is indicated.
Nutrition counseling is imperative through all phases of cancer care. Further study of nutrition counseling and intervention should include QOL measures, such as physical activity, social functioning, and pain status.
Kapoor, A., Singhal, M.K., Bagri, P.K., Nirban, R.K., Maharia, S., Narayan, S., & Kumar, H.S. (2015). Comparison of single versus multiple fractions for palliative treatment of painful bone metastasis: First study from north west India. Indian Journal of Palliative Care, 21, 45–48.
To compare pain outcomes with two different radiotherapy dosing schedules for pain associated with bone metastases
Referred patients were allocated to two different dosage groups based on the discretion of the radiation oncologist. Pain was assessed at the end of treatment and on days 8, 15, and 30 in follow-up.
Prospective study
In total, 62% of patients received a single fraction of 8 Gy and the rest had 10 fractions of 3 Gy. There were no significant differences between these groups in overall pain reduction.
Single and multiple fraction radiation therapy schedules provided similar results for the control of pain from bone metastases.
Single fraction radiotherapy for pain control appeared to be as effective as multiple fraction dosing. Single fraction dosing may provide a more practical and convenient alternative for pain control. There could be differences in adverse effects, which were not discussed in this report.
Kao, C.Y., Hu, W.Y., Chiu, T.Y., & Chen, C.Y. (2014). Effects of the hospital-based palliative care team on the care for cancer patients: An evaluation study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 51(2), 226-235.
To evaluate the effects of the hospital-based palliative care team on care for patients with cancer
The hospital-based palliative care team visited intervention patients “regularly” during the one-week study period. Team members including physicians, nurses, chaplains, and social workers provided advice about medications and taught patients and families skills to relieve physical symptoms, provided emotional support, and assisted with truth-telling and preparation for death. Data were collected at baseline and one week later.
Quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design
No significant difference was seen in anxiety and depression between the control and intervention groups after one week of palliative care. Improvement was seen in edema, fatigue, dry mouth, and abdominal distention.
Nurse interventions improved symptom management for the intervention group; however, in the short timeframe of this study emotional disturbances were not affected. Cultural implications are important here; death is a taboo topic in Chinese culture, and patients' understanding of their terminal disease is low and rarely discussed.
Palliative care consultation may benefit many symptoms of patients with cancer, but without clear interventions for depression and in this short timespan, little effect is apparent.