Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Abstract
The diagnosis and treatment of cancer are a stressful and threatening experience, which can be
emotionally devastating to children. Despite the improved prognosis, the course of cancer treatment
has tremendous impact on children. This article aims to examine the impact of cancer on physical,
emotional, and psychosocial well-being of Hong Kong Chinese children, an area of research that has
been underrepresented in the literature. Ninety-eight Hong Kong Chinese children aged 7 to 15 years,
admitted for treatment of cancer in 2 pediatric oncology units of 2 different hospitals, were invited to
participate in the study. Findings from this study indicated that the children scored considerably high
state anxiety on admission, and more than half of the participants presented some depressive
symptoms during their stay in the hospital. Moreover, semistructured interviews indicated that nearly
all children expressed different degrees of sadness and worry. The findings suggested that there is a
room for improvement in existing nursing intervention regarding preparing children for hospitalization
and treatment of cancer. There is an imperative need for nurses to evaluate appropriate nursing
interventions that can help children resume their normal growth and development, in particular, to
help them ease the physical, emotional, and psychological burden of life-threatening disease.
2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.
http://journals.lww.com/cancernursingonline/abstract/2010/01000/the_impact_of_cancer_on_chil
dren_s_physical,.7.aspx
Abstract
Background:
Recent advances in cancer screening and treatment have resulted in a decrease in mortality rates in
children and adolescents. However, despite the improved prognosis, the course of cancer treatment
continues to be a very stressful experience in the life of a child.
Objectives:
The objectives of the study were to assess the occurrence and severity of treatment-related
symptoms manifested by children and adolescents undergoing active cancer treatment and to
examine the relationships between therapy-related symptoms, depressive symptoms, and quality of
life of these pediatric patients.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study design was used, and 135 Hong Kong Chinese children (9- to 16-year-olds)
who were admitted for treatment of cancer in a pediatric oncology unit were invited to participate in
the study.
Results:
Results indicated that children and adolescents receiving combined cancer treatment generally
experienced greater symptom occurrence and severity. In addition, children reporting greater
symptom occurrence and severity experienced higher levels of depression and a lower level of quality
of life. The study revealed that therapy-related symptoms are a strong predictor of quality of life of
children and adolescents hospitalized for cancer treatment.
Conclusions:
Cancer and its treatments significantly affect the psychosocial well-being and quality of life of children
and adolescent hospitalized for cancer care. Therapy-related symptoms can be a useful indicator for
screening those pediatric patients who are likely to exhibit psychosocial distress or are at high risk of
depression.
Implications for Practice:
It is essential for nurses to be sensitive and knowledgeable about the therapy-related symptoms of
cancer treatment and their effects on children and adolescents to promote the psychosocial wellbeing of these patients and enhance their quality of life.
Copyright 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
http://journals.lww.com/cancernursingonline/abstract/2013/09000/relationships_among_therapy_
related_symptoms,.3.aspx
Publisher
ISSN
0190-535X (Print)
1538-0688 (Online)
Issue
Category
Article
Pages
393-402
DOI
10.1188/07.ONF.393-402
Online Date
ONS Members: Access to full text requires a MetaPress username and password obtained
via one-time MetaPress registration using your ONS member/ID number. This is a one-time
process that is separate from registering for the actual ONS Web site. Please
remember your username and password and only register once or future logins may be
unsuccessful. (Unsure if you registered before, click here.)
HTML
Authors
Pamela S. Hinds, PhD, RN, FAAN1, Marilyn Hockenberry, PhD, RN, PNP, FAAN2, Shesh N. Rai, PhD3, Lijun
Lola Cremer, PT6, Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, MD7
1
Abstract
Methods: Actigraphy, fatigue instruments, sleep diary, room entry and exit checklists, and blood sa
Main Research Variables: Nocturnal awakenings, sleep environment interruptions, sleep duration,
Findings: The number of nocturnal awakenings per night as measured by actigraphy ranged from 0
member or parent was 3-22 times per eight-hour night shift. The number of nocturnal awakenings w
experienced 20 or more awakenings had significantly higher fatigue scores than those with fewer a
associated with sleep duration by patient and parent report.
Conclusions: Hospitalized pediatric patients with cancer who experience more nocturnal awakenin
Implications for Nursing: Nurses may be able to control some of the factors that contribute to noc
affect fatigue and sleep duration in hospitalized pediatric patients with cancer.