Developing and assessing the effectiveness of a nurse-led home-based educational programme for managing breathlessness in lung cancer patients. A feasibility study
Journal
Frontiers in Oncology
Date Issued
September 2, 2020
DOI
10.3389/fonc.2020.01366
Abstract
Introduction: Breathlessness is the most common and refractory symptom in lung
cancer patients. Even though various educational programmes have been developed,
only a few were intended for implementation in the home setting for its management.
Aim: Feasibility of a study for implementing a nurse-led educational programme for
breathlessness management of lung cancer patients at home.
Method: A randomized feasibility study was undertaken between February 2017 and
October 2018. Patients were recruited through referral from oncologists from two
oncology centers in Cyprus under certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients
were randomized in the intervention or control group via a computer programme, and
their named family caregivers (f.c.) were allocated in the same group. Participants
were not blinded to group assignment. The intervention consisted of a PowerPoint
presentation and implementation of three non-pharmacological interventions. The control
group received usual care. Patients were assessed for breathlessness, anxiety, and
depression levels, whereas f.c. were assessed for anxiety, depression, and burden levels.
F.c. also assessed patients’ dyspnea level. The duration of the study process for both
the intervention and control group was over a period of 4 weeks.
Results: Twenty-four patients and their f.c. (n = 24) were allocated equally in
the intervention and control group. Five patients withdrew, and the final sample
entered analysis was 19 patients and 19 family caregivers. In the intervention
group n = 11 + 11, and in the control group n = 8 + 8. In the intervention
group patients’ breathlessness and anxiety levels showed improvement and their
f.c.s in the anxiety and burden levels. Major consideration was the sample size
and the recruitment of the patients by the referring oncologists. Attrition was minor
during the study process. No harm was recorded by the participants of the study.
Conclusions: The study provided evidence of the feasibility of the implementation of
the educational programme. For the future definitive study major consideration should
be patients’ recruitment method in order to achieve adequate sample size. Moreover,
qualitative data should be collected in relation to the intervention and the involvement
of f.c. The feasibility study was registered to the Cyprus Bioethics Committee with the
registration number 2016/16. There was no funding of the study.
cancer patients. Even though various educational programmes have been developed,
only a few were intended for implementation in the home setting for its management.
Aim: Feasibility of a study for implementing a nurse-led educational programme for
breathlessness management of lung cancer patients at home.
Method: A randomized feasibility study was undertaken between February 2017 and
October 2018. Patients were recruited through referral from oncologists from two
oncology centers in Cyprus under certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients
were randomized in the intervention or control group via a computer programme, and
their named family caregivers (f.c.) were allocated in the same group. Participants
were not blinded to group assignment. The intervention consisted of a PowerPoint
presentation and implementation of three non-pharmacological interventions. The control
group received usual care. Patients were assessed for breathlessness, anxiety, and
depression levels, whereas f.c. were assessed for anxiety, depression, and burden levels.
F.c. also assessed patients’ dyspnea level. The duration of the study process for both
the intervention and control group was over a period of 4 weeks.
Results: Twenty-four patients and their f.c. (n = 24) were allocated equally in
the intervention and control group. Five patients withdrew, and the final sample
entered analysis was 19 patients and 19 family caregivers. In the intervention
group n = 11 + 11, and in the control group n = 8 + 8. In the intervention
group patients’ breathlessness and anxiety levels showed improvement and their
f.c.s in the anxiety and burden levels. Major consideration was the sample size
and the recruitment of the patients by the referring oncologists. Attrition was minor
during the study process. No harm was recorded by the participants of the study.
Conclusions: The study provided evidence of the feasibility of the implementation of
the educational programme. For the future definitive study major consideration should
be patients’ recruitment method in order to achieve adequate sample size. Moreover,
qualitative data should be collected in relation to the intervention and the involvement
of f.c. The feasibility study was registered to the Cyprus Bioethics Committee with the
registration number 2016/16. There was no funding of the study.
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