Jin, Y., Sun, W., Gu, D., Yang, J., Xu, Z., & Chen, J. (2012). Comparative efficacy and safety of palonosetron with the first 5-HT3 receptor antagonists for the chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A meta-analysis. European Journal of Cancer Care, 22, 41–50.
To compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety of a single-dose of 0.25 mg or 0.75 mg palonosetron with first generation 5-HT3 RAs (32 mg ondansetron, 100 mg dolasetron, or 3 mg granisetron) in preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) with or without IV dexamethasone before initiation of chemotherapy
Databases searched were Medline (1966 to June 2011), EMBASE (1980 to June 2011), American Society of Clinical Oncology, and National Cancer Institute (403 in total).
Search keywords were palonosetron, ondansetron, granisetron, dolasetron, nausea and vomiting.
Studies were included in the review if they were
Studies were excluded if they had insufficient data on polanestron safety or if the participants were applied more than once in the review.
Results from the analysis suggest that palonosetron is highly effective in preventing nausea and vomiting in the days after administration of moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy agents.
Jin, Y., Wu, X., Guan, Y., Gu, D., Shen, Y., Xu, Z., … Chen, J. (2011). Efficacy and safety of aprepitant in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A pooled analysis. Supportive Care in Cancer: Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 20, 1815–1822.
To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of aprepitant for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) during the first five days following highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy
Databases searched were MEDLINE and Embase. Abstracts were searched in the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Cochrane Library, and National Cancer Institute.
Search keywords were aprepitant, MK-869, substance P receptor antagonist, NK-1 receptor antagonist, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Studies were included in the review if they
Studies were excluded if they
All patients were in active treatment.
Aprepitant is effective in the prevention of delayed CINV. Aprepitant improves the antiemetic effect of ondansetron and dexamethasone in patients receiving cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
Aprepitant is effective and safe for the prevention of CINV in the acute and delayed phases of treatment.
Jibb, L.A., Nathan, P.C., Stevens, B.J., Seto, E., Cafazzo, J.A., Stephens, N., . . . Stinson, J.N. (2015). Psychological and physical interventions for the management of cancer-related pain in pediatric and young adult patients: An integrative review. Oncology Nursing Forum, 42, E339–E357.
STUDY PURPOSE: To appraise the effectiveness of nonpharmacologic pain management approaches in children and young adults with cancer
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Six studies examining distraction, including music and virtual reality, showed mixed results. Nine studies used hypnosis, seven of which showed a positive effect on procedure-related pain. Sample sizes in these studies ranged from 23–80 (357 total) patients. Four studies used touch therapy, including healing touch, massage, and acupressure, with mixed results. Nine studies provided multimodal cognitive behavioral interventions including relaxation, procedure preparation, deep breathing, and other approaches. These showed mixed results. Aromatherapy and art therapy were examined in one study each.
The findings of this study suggested that hypnosis had relatively consistent positive results for the management of acute pain in this patient population.
All studies were identified as low-quality with only fair or poor internal and external validity. The USPS grading system was only designed to grade the level of individual studies, and it was not appropriate for all the study designs included.
The findings of this study suggested that hypnosis may be an effective intervention to reduce procedure-related acute pain in children and young adults. Its findings for touch therapy also showed some promise. Additional well-designed research with larger samples is needed to provide stronger evidence in this area. These findings were limited by the low quality of evidence included.
Jiang, Z., Butler-Bowen, H., Rodriguez, T., Garcon, M.C., Smith, M.H., Relias, V., & Saif, M.W. (2016). Role of methylphenidate in the treatment of fatigue in advanced pancreatic cancer population. Annals of Gastroenterology, 29, 536–543.
To assess the effects of methylphenidate (MPH) in ameliorating fatigue in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer
Records of patients with stage 4 pancreatic cancer who were experiencing fatigue were retrospectively analyzed. The fatigue level was assessed at each visit prior to chemotherapy, and a trial of MPH was done for at least four weeks. MPH was begun at 5 mg by mouth daily and increased to 10 mg for those who did not benefit from the lower dose.
Retrospective
Most patients continued MPH after four weeks, for up to 24 months. Fatigue improved at least from grade 3 to grade 2, or from grade 2 to grade 1 in 55%; and in 23%, fatigue resolved. Fourteen percent stopped MPH because of lack of benefit, and 13% stopped because of adverse effects. The most common adverse effects were weight loss, nausea, anorexia, and insomnia.
MPH appeared to provide some benefit in reducing fatigue for some patients but had important negative side effects in others.
The findings regarding any potential benefit of psychostimulants, such as MPH, for the management of cancer-related fatigue have been mixed. MPH has also been associated with a number of adverse side effects. Nurses need to be aware of side effects and relevant monitoring if MPH is used.
Jho, H.J., Myung, S.K., Chang, Y.J., Kim, D.H., & Ko, D.H. (2013). Efficacy of pain education in cancer patients: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Supportive Care in Cancer, 21, 1963–1971.
STUDY PURPOSE: To evaluate the overall efficacy of pain education among patients with cancer by using a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
TYPE OF STUDY: Meta-analysis and systematic review
DATABASES USED: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library
KEYWORDS: cancer; pain; education; counseling
INCLUSION CRITERIA: RCTs that included patients with cancer with pain, used an education intervention for cancer pain management, and presented pain intensity at baseline and after intervention
EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Duplicated studies; same study in more than one publication
TOTAL REFERENCES RETRIEVED = 213 (36 thoroughly reviewed)
EVALUATION METHOD AND COMMENTS ON LITERATURE USED: Two investigators independently reviewed and then compared discrepancies. Studies were rated on a 1–5 quality scale for RCT evaluation.
This study showed that overall pain education in patients with cancer showed a small efficacy on pain relief in the meta-analysis of these RCTs.
Further studies are needed regarding the use of pain education on patients with cancer and the relation to pain relief. Because some patients benefited from the interventions, nurses may focus on situations in which patients received the most benefits (e.g., inpatients, patients with the most severe pain, education within the first two weeks of follow-up).
Jham, B.C., Chen, H., Carvalho, A.L., & Freire, A.R. (2009). A randomized phase III prospective trial of bethanechol to prevent mucositis, candidiasis, and taste loss in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy: A secondary analysis. Journal of Oral Science, 51, 565–572.
To determine the impact of bethanechol administration concomitant to radiotherapy on oral mucositis, candidiasis, and taste loss
Patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Group 1 received 25 mg oral bethanechol, 3 times a day; group 2 received artificial saliva (OralBalance). Patients who experienced severe mucositis were subject to daily laser applications until remission of the lesions.
This was an outpatient radiation study conducted in Brazil.
Secondary analysis, stratified, open-label, random allocation to one of two groups.
No significant differences in frequency and severity of mucositis, candidiasis, or taste loss were found.
Bethanechol did not appear to reduce the incidence of mucositis, candidiasis, or taste loss when administered during RT.
Larger, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are needed possibly to further test the hypothesis that bethanechol could minimize RT-induced mucositis incidence or severity.
Jepson, C., McCorkle, R., Adler, D., Nuamah, I., & Lusk, E. (1999). Effects of home care on caregivers’ psychosocial status. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 31, 115–120.
The intervention was directed at patients and caregivers (primarily at patients). The standardized nursing intervention protocol included three home visits and six telephone calls over four weeks from an oncology clinical nurse specialist. Intervention activities included
Home setting
A controlled trial design was used, with a major limitation.
No significant differences existed on any outcome measure. No effect on caregiver esteem was found. Among caregivers with physical problems, those in the treatment group had an increase in lack of family support between interviews 1 and 2 followed by a decrease between interviews 2 and 3. Control group subjects displayed the opposite pattern. Caregivers with physical problems had greater decreases in difficulty with finances than those with no physical problems. Caregivers in the control group had a decrease, whereas those in treatment group did not. No significant effect on depression was found. Caregivers in the control group had a decrease in the effect of providing care on physical health between interviews 1 and 2 and then remained constant between interviews 2 and 3. Caregivers in the treatment group displayed the opposite pattern. The analyses are based on some caregivers who had received nonprotocol home care and were dropped from analyses.
Little information is presented on the details of the intervention. The control group had some contamination (32.4% of the control group and 32.2% of the intervention group received referrals for home care that were not connected with the study). Findings were difficult to interpret.
Jeppesen, E., Pedersen, C.M., Larsen, K.R., Rehl, A., Bartholdy, K., Walsted, E.S., & Backer, V. (2016). Music does not alter anxiety in patients with suspected lung cancer undergoing bronchoscopy: A randomised controlled trial. European Clinical Respiratory Journal, 3, 33472.
To measure the effect of a music intervention on anxiety related to bronchoscopy
Patients undergoing bronchoscopy were randomly assigned to listen to music via earbuds during the procedures or use earplugs with no sound. On admission to the hospital, patients completed a study questionnaire, and blood cortisol samples were obtained. On admission to the operating area, baseline vital signs were taken, and actigraph sensors were applied to the patients' wrists, ankles, head, and hips. After 10 minutes, study measures were obtained again. About 60 minutes after bronchoscopy, the study measures were repeated.
PHASE OF CARE: Diagnostic
Single-blind, randomized, controlled trial
Prior to bronchoscopy, the music group had lower STAI scores. After the bronchoscopy, anxiety was lower in both groups, with no difference between groups. No differences in duration of the procedure, sedatives, or amount of patient movement during the procedure were reported.
Music was not shown to reduce anxiety associated with bronchoscopy.
Music during bronchoscopy was not shown to affect patients' level of anxiety. Measurement of anxiety immediately prior to or during a procedure to perform this type of research is difficult and questionable.
Jeong, J.H., & Yoo, W.G. (2015). Effects of pulmonary rehabilitation education for caregivers on pulmonary function and pain in patients with lung cancer following lung resection. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 27, 489–490.
To evaluate the effects of a pulmonary rehabilitation education program for caregivers on pain and pulmonary function in patients after lung resection
Patients were assigned to experiment and control groups. The control group received usual care including education on pain management, general postoperative care, incentive spirometer use, trunk and limb mobilization, and nebulizer instructions. In addition, caregivers in the experimental group received 30 minutes per week of instruction in splint coughing, airway clearance techniques, diaphragmatic breathing, and various exercises. Assessments were done at baseline (two weeks after surgery) and at four weeks after surgery.
Prospective trial
Forced expiratory volume in one second was higher in the experimental group at baseline and at four weeks (p < 0.01). There was no difference between the groups in pain scores after the intervention.
Pulmonary rehabilitation education may improve pulmonary function in patients after lung resection.
Pulmonary rehabilitation education provided to caregivers was not shown to reduce postoperative pain scores, but it may have been beneficial in terms of pulmonary function testing results.
Jeong, Y.J., Park, Y.S., Kwon, H.J., Shin, I.H., Bong, J.G., & Park, S.H. (2013). Acupuncture for the treatment of hot flashes in patients with breast cancer receiving antiestrogen therapy: A pilot study in Korean women. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19, 690–696.
To determine if acupuncture administered to Korean women receiving tamoxifen or anastrozole for breast cancer can be safe and feasible in controlling their hot flashes during eight weeks of intervention
Each intervention session lasted 40 minutes and consisted of 20 ± 5 minutes of acupuncture. Patients received three sessions per week for four weeks for a total of 12 sessions. The following acupuncture points were selected for the intervention: GV 20, M-HN-3, HT 8, KI 10, and LV 2. Acupuncture was administered by a physician with three years of experience. After appropriate skin preparation, eight needles were inserted 10-20 mm deep into the skin and were manipulated to obtain De Qi. Needles were rotated after 10 minutes. Data were recorded at baseline, weekly during the intervention (visits 5, 8, 11, and 13), and four weeks post study.
Interventional study in a nonrandomized series of cases enrolled prospectively
Data was self-reported using a hot-flash diary to record number and severity of hot flashes. A visual analogue scale was used to record severity of hot flashes. A total score was calculated by multiplying the severity and frequency of hot flashes.
Findings are limited in explaining completely the efficacy of acupuncture to decrease hot flashes in women receiving tamoxifen or anastrozole to treat breast cancer. Although safety and statistical significance result from the study, the sample size, the lack of a random design, and the lack of a control group limit the generalization of data.
Implications for cancer nurses are limited since applying this intervention requires professional training. However, oncology nurses are vital in providing information to patients about complementary treatments that are safe and feasible in controlling hot flashes related to hormone cancer treatments. No related adverse events were described.