PURPOSE: This study was to understand and explain the adjustment of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Variables in this model were social support, uncertainty, resilience and coping. METHODS: The data were collected for approximately five months from May through to September 2006 with cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or cancer patients finished chemotherapy using self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics program, Amos 5.0, was employed to verify the goodness of the hypothetic model and the hypotheses formulated in the study. RESULTS: The fitness of the finalized model turned out to be improved (chi2=332.644, df=70, GFI=.809, AGFI=.714, RMSEA=.138, AIC=402.644). Those variables made a 60.8% prediction of the patients adjustment. CONCLUSION: The hypothetic model presented in the study could serve to explain the adjustment of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Moreover, the use of the conceptual framework of the theory of planned nursing intervention would be very worthwhile as a strategy to boost the adjustment of cancer patients when receiving chemotherapy.
Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Uncertainty

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of laughter therapy on mood, state anxiety, and serum cortisol based on a Stress-Coping Model for preoperative breast cancer patients. METHODS: The study used a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The participants were 40 breast cancer patients who were admitted to one general hospital for surgery in 2009 (experimental group 23, control group 17). The experimental group received one hour laughter therapy consisting of dance, lots of laughter techniques, and meditation. RESULTS: The mean ages were 47 years (experimental group) and 49 years (control group). There were no significant differences in demographic and disease-related characteristics between the two groups. After the intervention, the scores of mood and state-anxiety of experimental group were significantly improved than those of control group. However, no difference was found in serum cortisol. CONCLUSION: The laughter therapy was partially effective in improving stress response in patients with breast cancer. Further research is needed to develop and evaluate the longer periods of interventions to testify the effects on serum cortisol, and other biochemical variables.
Anxiety ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Laughter ; Laughter Therapy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the research papers published in three nursing journals to suggest the direction for Journal of Korean Oncology Nursing (JKON). METHODS: To compare JKON with Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education and Cancer Nursing, all the research papers published in those three journals, 2010 were reviewed using an analysis criteria developed by the researchers, focusing on type of research, characteristics of authors and subjects, research design, data collection and analysis methods, sample size estimation, and ethical considerations regarding data collection. RESULTS: JKON lacked research papers which were supported by research funds, produced by multidisciplinary teams, addressing cancer survivors or patients with metastatic cancers, and written in qualitative methodologies. However, JKON showed higher ratio of research papers than the other two journals which were adapted from thesis or dissertations, describing sample size estimation process precisely, and participating subjects diagnosed with various cancers. CONCLUSION: The study found out that JKON is presenting well the area of oncology nursing in Korea and also has several weak points that need to be improved. The study therefore suggested several recommendations for the JKON to take the professional and global leader roles.
Data Collection ; Education, Nursing ; Financial Management ; Humans ; Korea ; Manuscripts as Topic ; Nursing Research ; Research Design ; Research Subjects ; Sample Size ; Survivors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the actual care costs paid to Korean Oncology Advanced Practice Nurses (KOAPN). METHODS: We collected data using a group discussion and questionnaire identified 115 tasks from job descriptions developed by the Korean Accreditation Board of Nursing. Forty-two KOAPN working at three university hospitals in Seoul were asked to evaluate each task as to type and whether the cost is paid or not. They were also asked to indicate the tasks in urgent need of development of a care cost with high priority. RESULTS: Only five tasks (4.3%) related to treatment and complication related interventions or education were paid, and they were paid only once during the entire treatment period and were not covered by national health insurance. It was approved as a medical fee by health insurance review & assessment service. Furthermore, the names of the authority (doctor) and the actual provider (nurse) of the prescriptions were different for three of those tasks. Most of the suggested tasks needing development of care costs were actions specifically performed by nurses (physical-psychosocial-spiritual assessment, independent nursing interventions). CONCLUSION: KOAPN are currently paid for few tasks. To maximize the utilization of KOAPN, the establishment of a clear rational payment system directly related to their actual activities is needed.
Accreditation ; Costs and Cost Analysis ; Fees, Medical ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Insurance, Health ; Job Description ; National Health Programs ; Nurse Practitioners ; Prescriptions ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Task Performance and Analysis

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate Korean nurses' knowledge about hereditary colorectal cancer (HCRC). METHODS: A modified 15-item HCRC knowledge questionnaire was developed based on previous research. One hundred and forty-eight nurses have completed the questionnaire from February to April, 2011. RESULTS: The average score of nurses' knowledge was 11.25+/-1.54. Ninety-seven percent of nurses knew about colonoscopy check up schedule and family pedigree. However, only 20% of nurses knew about the rate of passing on mutation genes to offspring and risk of developing CRC among carriers. Only 13.5% of nurses had previous genetic education experiences. Working in oncology units, taking care of CRC patients, and participating in genetic education were not associated with nurses' HCRC knowledge. CONCLUSION: Various factors influence nurses' knowledge about HCRC. Repeated study with larger national sample of nurses is recommended to identify the factors affecting nurses' knowledge level in order to develop efficient genetic education programs for HCRC patients and their families by nurses.
Appointments and Schedules ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis ; Humans ; Pedigree ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of self-efficacy promotion programs on self-efficacy, self-care behavior, and quality of life in breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy. METHODS: This study was conducted from November 1, 2009 to December 10, 2010. A total of 39 breast cancer patients, who received radiotherapy in a University hospital located in city B, participated in the study and were divided into two groups (experimental group 17 and control group 22). The data were analyzed with the chi2-test and ANCOVA using the SPSS/Win 17.0 program. RESULTS: Self-efficacy promotion programs aimed at self-management were effective in enhancing concrete self-efficacy but not effective in promoting general self-efficacy, self-care behavior, and quality of life among breast cancer patients who have received radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Organizing a support group for the breast cancer patients seems to be highly necessary to help themselves obtain higher level of specific self-efficacy, self-care behavior, and quality of life in general. It will also be beneficial for the breast cancer patients to understand their unique situations and improve their health problems for themselves.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Humans ; Quality of Life ; Self Care ; Self Efficacy ; Self-Help Groups

PURPOSE: This study was performed to analyze the characteristics and effect sizes of intervention studies on foot-reflexo-massage applied to cancer patients. METHODS: For meta-analysis, a total of 159 studies were retrieved from search engines such as RISS, nanet, KISS, richis and KoreaMed. 16 studies published from 1990 to 2010 were selected based on the inclusion criteria. The data were analyzed with the RevMan 5.0 program of Cochrane library. RESULTS: 1) The mean score of 1 implement time on foot-reflexo-massage was 25.62 minutes, the average number of days was 4.12 days, and the total number of average intervention frequency was 4.25 times. 2) Intervention studies on foot-reflexo-massage included 9 studies on anxiety (56.3%), 7 for pain (43.8%), 5 for BP/pulse (31.3%), 5 for fatigue (31.3%), 3 for nausea/vomiting (18.8%), 3 for sleep satisfaction (18.8%), and 2 for depression (12.5%). 3) The effect sizes of the intervention studies that showed higher effect size were in order, anxiety (d=-1.76), fatigue (d=-1.43), depression (d=-1.03), nausea and vomiting (d=-0.83), pain (d=-0.77), pulse rate (d=-0.61), blood pressure (d=-0.55), and sleep satisfaction (d=0.43). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that foot-reflexo-massage can increase sleep satisfaction, whereas decreasing blood pressure, pulse rate, anxiety, fatigue, depression, nausea, vomiting and pain.
Anxiety ; Blood Pressure ; Depression ; Fatigue ; Foot ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Clinical Trial ; Massage ; Nausea ; Search Engine ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: This study was to analyze the characteristics and effect size of intervention studies that used acupressure for the control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). METHODS: Nine electronic databases including Korea Education Research and Information, the National Assembly Library, KISS, Korea Med, NDSL, PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane library, and OVID (to December, 2009) were searched. Thirteen studies of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials (CCTs) were selected. Data were analyzed by SPSS/WIN 18.0. RESULTS: Overall effect size of acupressure was moderate (0.684). Nausea had a moderate effect size (0.770) and nausea and vomiting had a high effect size (0.899). Acupressure using sticker needles had a high effect size (1.368) among finger acupressure, si-acupuncture, and wrist band treatment. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that acupressure using sticker needles on the spots of nei-guan, chok-samni and hap-kok can reduce the levels of nausea and vomiting in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. For improving the reliability of the meta-analysis results, further randomized controlled trials with better study methodology are needed.
Acupressure ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Fingers ; Humans ; Clinical Trial ; Korea ; Nausea ; Needles ; Vomiting ; Wrist

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of preoperative pain management education on postoperative pain control in patients with uterine tumor using patient controlled analgesia. METHODS: This study used non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design. Data were collected from September, 2008 to March, 2009 at one university hospital in Daegu, Korea. There were 60 participants, 30 in both the experimental and control group. The experimental group was given preoperative pain education using videos, leaflets, and a PCA model. Postoperative pain intensity, frequency of the PCA button being pressed, and doses of additional analgesics were observed through 24 hours postoperative and knowledge of pain and attitude about the use of the pain medicine were measured at 3 days postoperative. Collected data were analyzed using t-test, chi2 test, repeat measured ANOVA, and Bonferroni methods. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the postoperative pain level between the experimental and control group. Postoperative frequency of the PCA button pressed, doses of additional analgesics, pain knowledge and attitude about the use of the pain medicine of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group. CONCLUSION: Pain management education is an effective nursing intervention for pain control after surgery.
Analgesia ; Analgesics ; Humans ; Korea ; Pain Management ; Pain, Postoperative ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis

PURPOSE: This study was to analyze the characteristics and effect size of intervention studies in reference to cancer pain. METHODS: In order to conduct a meta-analysis, a total of 208 studies were retrieved from search engine. And 29 studies published from 2000 to 2010 were selected upon their satisfaction with the inclusion criteria. The data was analyzed by the RevMan 5.0 program of Cochrane library. RESULTS: 1) Intervention studies included 7 studies on reflexology (24.1%), 5 for pain management education (17.2%), 3 studies for each music therapy, spiritual care and hand massage (10.3%, respectively), and 2 studies for each hospice and horticultural therapy (6.7%, respectively). 2) The effect size of the intervention studies were high in hand massage (d=-0.98), reflexology (d=-0.74), spiritual care (d=-0.72), pain management education (d=-0.66), music therapy (d=-0.41), and horticultural therapy (d=-0.32). CONCLUSION: This study suggest that non-drug therapy can reduce the levels of cancer pain intensity, even though the numbers of intervention studies and randomized controlled trials are very rare.
Hand ; Horticultural Therapy ; Hospices ; Clinical Trial ; Massage ; Music Therapy ; Pain Management ; Search Engine