A brief intervention for fatigue management in breast cancer survivors

The purpose of this randomized control trial was to verify the effectiveness of a brief group intervention that combines stress management psycho-education and physical activity (ie, independent variable) intervention in reducing fatigue and improving energy level, quality of life (mental and physical), fitness (VO 2submax), and emotional distress (ie, dependent variables) in breast cancer survivors. This study applied Lazarus and Folkman stress-coping theoretical framework, as well as Salmon's unifying theory of physical activity. Eighty-seven French-speaking women who had completed their treatments for nonmetastatic breast cancer at a university hospital in Quebec City, Canada, were randomly assigned to either the group intervention (experimental) or the usual-care (control) condition. Data were collected at baseline, postintervention, and at 3-month follow-up. The 4-week group intervention was cofacilitated by 2 nurses. Results showed that participants in the intervention group showed greater improvement in fatigue, energy level, and emotional distress at 3-month follow-up, and physical quality of life at postintervention, compared with the participants in the control group. These results suggest that a brief psycho-educational group intervention focusing on active coping strategies and physical activity is beneficial to cancer survivors after breast cancer treatments.     

Differences in depression,anxiety, and quality of life between women with and without breast pain prior to breast cancer surgery

Purpose of the researchLittle is known about the relationships between pain, anxiety, and depression in women prior to breast cancer surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate for differences in anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) in women who did and did not report the occurrence of breast pain prior to breast cancer surgery. We hypothesized that women with pain would report higher levels of anxiety and depression as well as poorer QOL than women without pain.Methods and sampleA total of 390 women completed self-report measures of pain, anxiety depression, and QOL prior to surgery.Key resultsWomen with preoperative breast pain (28%) were significantly younger, had a lower functional status score, were more likely to be Non-white and to have gone through menopause. Over 37% of the sample reported clinically meaningful levels of depressive symptoms. Almost 70% of the sample reported clinically meaningful levels of anxiety. Patients with preoperative breast pain reported significantly higher depression scores and significantly lower physical well-being scores. No between group differences were found for patients' ratings of state and trait anxiety or total QOL scores.ConclusionsOur a priori hypotheses were only partially supported. Findings from this study suggest that, regardless of pain status, anxiety and depression are common problems in women prior to breast cancer surgery.     

Variations in grief,anxiety, depression,and health among family caregivers before and after the death of a close person in the context of palliative home care

Abstract

This article investigates longitudinal variations in grief, self-rated health, and symptoms of anxiety and depression among family caregivers in palliative care. Data were taken from a randomized psycho-educational intervention trial and were collected at four time-points; at baseline, upon completion, 2 months later, and 6 months after the patient’s death. In total, 117 family caregivers completed all questionnaires. The participants’ grief was stable across the measurements, while anxiety, depression, and health varied significantly (p?<?0.05). No significant differences were found between the intervention or control group. In conclusion, grief emerged as a constant phenomenon, distinct from symptoms of anxiety and depression.     

Mindfulness- and Acceptance-Based Interventions for Symptom Reduction in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ObjectiveTo examine the effects of mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions (MABIs) on reducing symptoms in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).Data SourcesA comprehensive search was conducted within the PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and SCOPUS databases for articles published from inception to July 3, 2020.Study SelectionRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included if MABIs were provided to individuals with MS exclusively, with reported pre-and posttest results in symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, fatigue, or pain.Data ExtractionCharacteristics of the included RCTs and data for meta-analysis were extracted. The quality of the included RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool.Data SynthesisA random effects model with the inverse variance method was used with effect size reported as standardized mean difference. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic.ResultsTwenty-three RCTs met the eligibility criteria. Meta-analyses found large effects of MABIs on reducing depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, and pain, as well as a moderate effect of MABIs on reducing fatigue at the immediate posttest. Large effects of MABIs on reducing depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress at follow-up were also found, whereas a moderate effect on reducing fatigue was found at follow-up. There was no significant effect of MABIs on reducing pain at follow-up.ConclusionsFewer studies were included in meta-analyses for pain at the immediate posttest and follow-up and stress and fatigue at follow-up. The overall risk of bias was unclear. Future high-quality studies with follow-up evaluations are needed to support effects of MABIs on reducing symptoms in individuals with MS and examine intervention features that increase and maintain effects.     

Depression and anxiety in women with breast cancer and their partners

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial interventions can improve psychological quality of life (symptoms of depression and anxiety) of both women with breast cancer and their partners, but are not offered routinely to women and their partners. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypotheses that telephone-delivered psychosocial interventions decrease depression and anxiety in women with breast cancer and their partners. METHODS: The design of the study was a three-wave repeated measures with a between-subjects factor (treatment group). Ninety-six women and their 96 partners were assigned randomly to participate in one of three different 6-week programs: (a) telephone interpersonal counseling (TIP-C); (b) self-managed exercise; or (c) attention control (AC). RESULTS: The mixed-model analysis of variance for symptoms of depression among women with breast cancer revealed women's depressive symptom scores decreased over time in all groups. For anxiety, women's symptoms of anxiety decreased in the TIP-C and exercise groups over time, but not in the AC group. A parallel set of analyses was conducted on partners' depression and anxiety data. Symptoms of depression and anxiety among the partners decreased substantially over the course of the investigation. Similar to the women, partners' symptoms of anxiety decreased significantly in the TIP-C and exercise groups, but not in the AC group. DISCUSSION: Findings from this study support that these telephone-delivered psychosocial interventions were effective for decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety to improve psychological quality of life when compared to an AC group.     

Linguistic features of postpartum depression using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count text analysis

ObjectiveThis qualitative study examines the linguistic features associated with postpartum depression.MethodsIn this longitudinal online study, 53 mothers completed self-report questionnaires assessing symptoms of postpartum depression and an expressive writing exercise about their pregnancy and birth. Mothers were randomly divided into two groups (intervention and control groups). Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count [LIWC] was used to examine the written data for depression and no depression groups.ResultsThe overall use of words varied depending on the severity of depressive symptoms. Negative emotions and introspective terms were associated with depression and lower use of first-person plural pronouns but not singular pronouns. Additionally, the groups of individuals with depression showed a positive correlation between depressive symptoms and words referring to friends, leisure activities, the body, breastfeeding, exercise, and eating attitudes.ConclusionIn addition to self-disclosure, word analysis and appropriate categorization could be useful for perinatal symptomatology in pregnant women, and interestingly also a meaningful tool that can be taught and used as a preventive care measure among pregnant and postpartum women.     

Prevalence and Predictors of Depressive Symptoms in Pregnant African American Women

African American women may be especially vulnerable to antepartum depression, a major health concern during pregnancy. This study investigated the prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms in a sample of African American women who were between 14–17 weeks pregnant, a timeframe that is typically thought to be a time of general well-being. Two-thirds reported a CES-D score ≥ 16 indicative of depressive symptomatology. Age, perceived stress (as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]), and anxiety (as measured by the State Trait Anxiety Inventory [STAI]) predicted depressive symptoms; the interaction between PSS and STAI scores was also a significant predictor. Our study findings suggest that early identification of stress and anxiety, in addition to depressive symptoms, is vital for intervention with this group.     

Factors Associated with Depression in African American Patients Being Treated for Cancer Pain

BackgroundAmong cancer patients in the United States, African American cancer patients have the highest mortality rate and shortest survival rate. Although depression is known as a predictor of mortality in cancer and a potential barrier to health care utilization, research on depression in African American patients is limited. Cancer pain can interfere with an individual’s ability to cope with depression.AimsTo identify factors that are associated with a positive screening of depressive symptoms assessed by the PHQ-8 in African American patients treated for cancer pain.DesignSecondary data analysis of a cross-sectional study of opioid adherence.SettingMedical oncology, palliative care, and radiation oncology clinics in Atlanta, Georgia.Participants/SubjectsAfrican American patients with cancer pain in the parent study.MethodsIndependent samples t-test was used to assess variable correlations with and without depressive symptoms. Adjusted logistic regression was conducted to identify factors that were associated with presence of depressive symptoms.ResultsMean patient age was 55.6 years, and nearly 38% had a PHQ-8 score of >10 indicating presence of moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Participants with depressive symptoms had significantly higher means for anxiety and pain interference with mood than those without depressive symptoms. Factors that were significantly associated with depressive symptoms were anxiety, pain interfering with mood, and lack of involvement with a religious congregation.ConclusionsThe findings of this study help to identify African American cancer patients at risk for depression and demonstrates the need for increased screening for depression in this underserved population.     

Integrating palliative care into self-management of breast cancer: Protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

BackgroundDespite evidence that palliative care increases quality and length of life, many patients and families remain uninformed about its nature and benefits. The purpose of this study is to test a psycho-educational intervention, Managing Cancer Care: A Personal Guide (MCC), intended to improve breast cancer patients' knowledge of palliative care and to facilitate its timely integration into cancer self-management.MethodsAims are to: 1) evaluate the effects of MCC on patients' knowledge of palliative care; 2) examine preliminary effects of MCC on patients' behaviors (role in self-management, engagement in goals of care conversations, medical communication, management of transitions, health care utilization), and feelings (self-efficacy, anxiety, depression, uncertainty); and 3) evaluate protocol feasibility and acceptability. An exploratory aim is to investigate how demographic and clinical factors may moderate intervention effects, with emphasis on differences in use and outcomes among minority participants. We plan to enroll 60 patients and their family caregivers with 50% minority participation. The intervention group receives MCC; the attention-control group receives a Symptom Management Toolkit. We collect data at baseline, one, and three months.DiscussionThis study will inform a large scale trial of MCC. It is challenging for patients with breast cancer, their family caregivers, and providers to make choices that include palliation alone or in combination with potentially curative treatment. MCC may help address this challenge by giving patients the information, skills, and confidence to better self-manage breast cancer. Results may help to establish palliative care as a mainstay of self-management interventions targeting serious illness.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02148575 (date registered: 5.21.14; datefirst patient enrolled: 7.15.14)     

Anxiety,depression and quality of life in Chinese women with breast cancer during and after treatment: A comparative evaluation

Purpose of the researchTo compare the psychological health and quality of life (QoL) of women with breast cancer, and to determine the relationship between anxiety, depression and QoL during treatment and one year afterwards.Methods and sampleFor this secondary analysis, 269 women undergoing adjuvant therapy for breast cancer, and 148 women with breast cancer who had completed all treatment within the last year completed a self-report questionnaire covering the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Cantonese/Chinese version, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General, and demographic and clinical characteristics.Key resultsThe ongoing-therapy group showed higher levels of anxiety and depression and lower levels of all QoL dimensions than the post-therapy group. Linear regression results showed that both anxiety and depression were significantly related to physical and functional well-being, while depression was associated with social/family well-being in both groups. In the case of emotional well-being, anxiety had a strong significant association in both groups and depression a significant relationship only in the ongoing-therapy group.ConclusionsThe psychological health of women with breast cancer is affected during and after treatment. Psychological distress in these patients, including anxiety and depression, has independent associations with impaired emotional, functional, physical and social well-being. The results highlight the importance of timely detection of anxiety and depression, and their proper management, during the treatment and survivorship phases of the breast cancer trajectory.     

Dementia,Ethnicity, and Culture

Depression is a significant problem in heart failure (HF). The purposes of this study were to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms in Hispanics with HF and to examine the personal characteristics predicting depressive symptoms at baseline and at 6-months follow-up in a telephone case management intervention. In this secondary data analysis based on 87 subjects, patient characteristics hypothesized to influence depressive symptoms included age, gender, education, living situation, co-morbidity, social support, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, and acculturation. DSM-IV major depression was present in 39.1% (n = 35) of the participants at baseline and 1.1% (n = 1) at the 6-month follow-up. In regression analysis, factors associated with depressive symptoms at baseline were gender and NYHA class. At 6-month follow-up, acculturation, co-morbidity, and NYHA were significantly related to the presence of depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were highly prevalent in Hispanics with HF. Easily identifiable personal characteristics can be useful in designing interventions to reduce depression associated with HF.     

Qigong/Tai Chi Easy for fatigue in breast cancer survivors: Rationale and design of a randomized clinical trial

IntroductionBreast cancer survivors (BCSs) often report fatigue that persists for years following treatment. Despite a growing body of evidence for meditative movement practices to improve symptoms among BCSs, few studies have explored using Qigong/Tai Chi to reduce fatigue. Additionally, few have examined the biological mechanisms through which fatigue may be reduced using Qigong/Tai Chi.Methods/study designWe will recruit 250 fatigued, post-menopausal women diagnosed with breast cancer (stage 0-III), between 6 months and 5 years past primary treatment and randomize to a standardized Qigong/Tai Chi Easy (QG/TCE) intervention, a “sham” Qigong group (movements without a focus on the breath and meditative state) (SQG), or an educational support (ES) group. The primary outcome (fatigue), secondary outcomes (anxiety, depression, sleep quality, cognitive function, physical activity), and a biomarker of HPA axis dysregulation (diurnal cortisol) will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention and 6 months postintervention, and biomarkers of inflammation (IL1ra, IL6, TNFα and INFᵧ) at pre/post-intervention. We hypothesize that QG/TCE will reduce fatigue (and improve other symptoms associated with fatigue) in BCSs experiencing persistent cancer-related fatigue more than SQG and ES. Biomarkers will be examined for relationships to changes in fatigue.ConclusionsFindings from this study may reveal the effects of the unique mind-body aspects of QG/TCE on fatigue in BCSs with a complex design that separates the effects of low-intensity physical activity (SQG) and social support/attention (ES) from the primary intervention. Further, results will likely contribute greater understanding of the biological mechanisms of these practices related to improved symptoms among BCSs.     

Diet and diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background: Previous research has demonstrated a high prevalence of psychological risk factors in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), as well as the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on psychological distress (PD) in showing its potential to improve mortality. We examined the impact of CR on mortality by anxiety and/or hostility symptoms in a large population of CHD patients with symptoms of depression following CR. Patients and Methods: We studied 538 patients with CHD who had completed formal CR. Using a validated questionnaire, symptoms of PD were obtained in 3 domains: anxiety, hostility, and depression. Subjects were divided into 3 groups: nondepressed (n = 502), depression alone (n = 14), and depression with anxiety and/or hostility (n = 22). A multivariate analysis for mortality was performed using a composite PD score (PD = sum of scores for anxiety, depression, and hostility). Subjects were analyzed by total mortality over 3-year follow-up by the National Death Index. Results: Mortality was significantly higher in the group with depressive symptoms compared with those without depressive symptoms (19% vs 3%; P < 0.0001). The comorbid depressed group had a slight trend toward higher mortality (22.7% [5 of 22 patients] vs 14% [2 of 14 patients]; P = 0.52). After adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), ejection fraction, exercise tolerance, and sex using Cox proportional regression, the number of psychiatric comorbidities (ie, depression, anxiety, and hostility), as well as the sum of their raw scores, were significantly associated with increased mortality. However, this effect disappeared after adjusting for depression score (comorbidity hazard ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-2.8 vs comorbidity hazard ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-3.7 after adjusting). Conclusion: Psychological distress is an independent predictor of mortality in stable CHD patients following CR; although anxiety and hostility may also modulate this effect, the overall impact seems to be mostly mediated through depression. Patients with persistent depression following CR may need further intervention.     

Association between Type-D Personality and Affective (Anxiety,Depression, Post-traumatic Stress) Symptoms and Maladaptive Coping in Breast Cancer Patients: A Longitudinal Study

Background:Type-D (distressed) personality has not been prospectively explored for its association with psychosocial distress symptoms in breast cancer patients.Objective:The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that Type-D personality can be associated with psychosocial distress variables in cancer over a 2-point period (6 month-follow-up).Aims:The aim of the study was to analyze the role of Type-D personality in relation to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms, general distress, and maladaptive coping among cancer patients.Methods:145 breast cancer patients were assessed within 6 months from diagnosis (T0) and again 6 months later (T1). The Type-D personality Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Depression subscale (HAD-D), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18) Anxiety subscale, the Distress Thermometer (DT), the Post-traumatic Symptoms (PTS) Impact of Event Scale (IES), and the Mini Mental Adjustment to Cancer (Mini-MAC) Anxious Preoccupation and Hopelessness scales were individually administered at T0 and T1.Results:One-quarter of cancer patients met the criteria for Type-D personality, which was stable over the follow-up time. The two main constructs of Type-D personality, namely social inhibition (SI) and negative affectivity (NA), were related to anxiety, depression, PTS, BSI-general distress and maladaptive coping (Mini-MAC anxious preoccupation and hopelessness). In regression analysis, Type-D SI was the most significant factor associated with the above-mentioned psychosocial variables, both at T0 and T1.Conclusion:Likewise other medical disorders (especially cardiology), Type-D personality has been confirmed to be a construct significantly related to psychosocial distress conditions and maladaptive coping that are usually part of assessment and intervention in cancer care. More attention to personality issues is important in oncology.     

Changes in caseness of anxiety and depression in breast cancer patients during the first year following surgery: Patterns of transiency and severity of the distress response

BackgroundPsychological distress is prevalent in patients with breast cancer and is viewed as a non-pathological occurrence. Severe distress and mental disorder display a substantial overlap in both conceptual contexts and studies in oncological settings. A domain that may contribute to distinguishing non-pathological distress from signs of potential disorder is the transiency of distress.AimTo examine the transiency of distress response in breast cancer patients by investigating the changes in clinical caseness of depression and anxiety during one year following surgery.MethodsData on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale from a cohort of 715 women with breast cancer on three assessments within one year following breast surgery were subjected to Generalized Estimation Equation Analysis, McNemar's test, and logistic regression.ResultsThere was a significant decrease in the proportions of anxiety cases from baseline (37.7%) to 4 months (26.7%) but no significant change from 4 to 12 months. Caseness in depression significantly increased from baseline (18.5%) to 4 months (21.5%) but decreased to 15.3% at 12 months. Only experience of major adverse life events contributed to 12 months caseness of anxiety and depression beyond baseline caseness.DiscussionThe average decrease in caseness of anxiety and depression a year following surgery lends support to the view of distress as a transient non-pathological response. A subgroup of patients, however, displayed enduring or recurrent severe distress indicating the presence of potential disorder. The findings emphasize the importance of screening and follow up monitoring of distress.     

Perception of risk and surveillance practices of women with a family history of breast cancer

A retrospective study was designed to examine the relationship between perception of risk and surveillance activities (mammography and clinical breast examination) in women with a family history of breast cancer. The Revised Susceptibility, Benefits, and Barriers Scale for Mammography Screening, the Centre for Epidemiology Studies--Depression Scale (CES-D), and a demographic form were administered to a convenience sample of 56 women. There were no significant relationships between perceived risk and screening activities. No significant correlations were found between age or depressive symptoms with either perceived risk or screening behaviors. Women with postsecondary qualifications were more likely to obtain regular mammograms. A substantial portion (34.5%) of participants reported depressive symptoms at a level associated with clinically significant levels of depression (>or=16 on the CES-D). Women over age 50 reported significantly more depressive symptoms than younger women. Perceived risk was not associated with screening; however, depression should be considered closely when dealing with women with higher-than-average risk of breast cancer.     

Daily Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Couples Coping With Vulvodynia: Associations With Women's Pain,Women's Sexual Function,and Both Partners' Sexual Distress

Vulvodynia is a idiopathic vulvovaginal pain condition that interferes with the sexual and mental health of affected couples. Research has underscored that psychological factors, such as anxiety and depression, are associated with its development and maintenance and related sexual impairment. However, the daily role of anxiety and depressive symptoms in the pain and sexuality outcomes of couples coping with vulvodynia is not well understood. Using a dyadic daily experience method, 127 women (mean age?=?26.21, SD?=?6.24 years) diagnosed with vulvodynia and their partners (mean age?=?27.44, SD?=?7.29 years) reported on anxiety and depressive symptoms, pain, sexual function, and sexual distress over a period of 8 weeks. Multilevel modeling was used to examine how daily deviations in anxiety and depressive symptoms from a participant's own mean were associated with pain, sexual function, and sexual distress. On days of sexual activity, when women reported higher anxiety and depressive symptoms (compared with their average), they reported greater pain and lower sexual function. On days of sexual activity, when women reported higher depressive symptoms, they reported greater levels of sexual distress, and when partners reported higher anxiety and depressive symptoms, women as well as partners reported greater levels of sexual distress. Results suggest that daily anxiety and depressive symptoms play a role in women's experience of vulvodynia-related pain, women's sexual function, and the couple's sexual distress. Targeting daily anxiety and depressive symptoms could enhance the efficacy of psychological interventions for vulvodynia.