1.Concerns of cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy and positive aspects of treatment
Kaori Hashizume ; Yoko Kusuba ; Chiho Miyahara ; Kasumi Nakane ; Akemi Tsuchiya ; Tetsuya Iida ; Kazuto Ashizawa
Palliative Care Research 2013;8(2):232-239
Purpose: This study was to identify the concerns of cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy and perceived positive aspects of their treatment. Methods: We conducted self-administered questionnaire based on Cancer-chemotherapy Concerns Rating Scale (CCRS) among 62 cancer patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy, and who have agreed to participate in the study. Results: The CCRS score was significantly higher among those unemployed or on leave of absence, compared to those with job, and. also significantly higher among those with such adverse effects as fatigue, anorexia and hair loss. More than 90% of the participants answered that they have become more concerned about their health than they were prior to developing their disease, and have felt preciousness of their friends and families. Conclusion: Our results suggested to the necessity in attending to the adverse effects of the treatment, and utilizing social resources in order to address the various concerns of the cancer patients.
2.Changes in Physical Function, Fatigue, and Psychiatric Symptoms in Patients with Hematological Malignancy Undergoing Chemotherapy and Low-intensity Exercise Training
Jiro Nakano ; Shun Ishii ; Takuya Fukushima ; Ayumi Natsuzako ; Koji Tanaka ; Kaori Hashizume ; Kazumi Ueno ; Emi Matsuura ; Yoko Kusuba
Palliative Care Research 2017;12(3):277-284
This study aimed to investigate the changes in physical function, fatigue, and psychiatric symptoms in patients with hematological malignancy undergoing chemotherapy and low-intensity exercise training. Sixty-two hospitalized patients with hematological malignancy undergoing chemotherapy and low-intensity exercise were recruited. At the time of exercise initiation and hospital discharge, grip strength, knee extension muscle strength, maximum walking speed, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, a measure of functional independence, cancer fatigue pain, and hospital anxiety and depression were evaluated. When longitudinal data were analyzed in each group, changes in grip strength and knee extension muscle strength were unevenly distributed: some patients showed a decrease in knee extension strength. On the other hand, maximum walking speed, the measure of functional independence, and ECOG performance status were maintained or improved in more than 90% of the patients. Results of fatigue, anxiety, and depression tended to show an improvement in female patients, but not in male patients. In conclusion, physical function was maintained in nearly all patients with hematological malignancy undergoing chemotherapy and low-intensity exercise training. Sex differences were found in changes of fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
3.Evaluation of physical activity with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire among outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Japan
Miki YOKOYAMA ; Yoko KUSUBA ; Kaori HASHIZUME ; Emi MATSUURA
Journal of Rural Medicine 2025;20(1):20-27
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the amount of physical activity, including daily movement, and the factors related to the amount of physical activity undertaken by patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at an outpatient clinic.Patients and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 111 patients, aged 20 years or older, with type 2 diabetes mellitus, who visited a diabetes outpatient clinic. The amount of physical activity was investigated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Version. Influencing factors were divided into individual attributes (age, sex, and employment status), disease-related factors (body mass index, treatment period, medication usage, insulin usage, symptoms of fatigue, and lethargy), and emotion-related factors (depression and optimism). These were tested using stepwise regression analysis.Results: Daily physical activity was 288 metabolic equivalents of task/minute. The sub-scores by the time of day showed “physical activity within the household” and “physical activity during leisure time” as the highest, with 51 metabolic equivalent of tasks/minute. Employment status, medication usage, and depression status were found to have a significant influence and explained 17.9% of the distribution of the entire model.Conclusion: The results suggest that the amount of daily physical activity among non-working patients should increase. Moreover, we highlight the need to provide diabetes education from the early treatment stages and the importance of early detection and care of patients’ psychological needs.