Research Funding - Result Summaries of ONS Foundation Completed Funded Projects - ONS Foundation Small Grants

Michael E. Galbraith, PhD, RN
Professor, School of Nursing and Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University
Contact Information: mgalbraith@sn.llu.edu

"Surviving Prostate Cancer and Treatment: Impact on Couples"

2001 ONS Foundation Small Research Grant
Funded by the ONS Foundation through an unrestricted grant from Aventis Pharmaceuticals
Funding: $10,000
Funding Period: March 15, 2001 - March 15, 2003
Final Report Received: June 23, 2003

SUMMARY
The purpose of this study was to: a) compare health status, health-related quality of life, and treatment symptoms among extended survivors of prostate cancer who have received different doses of proton-beam radiation treatment and, b) describe the relationship of health status, health-related quality of life, and marital satisfaction between extended survivors of prostate cancer and their partners. There were no differences in the health status, health-related quality of life, or treatment symptoms between the two treatment groups of prostate cancer survivors. Satisfaction with their marital relationship was significantly correlated between the husbands and wives at 3 ½, 4 ½, and 5 ½ years after treatment. Health-related quality of life was significantly correlated for couples at year 4 ½. Aspects of the couple's health status they each reported individually were significantly related at years 4 ½ and 5 ½. Examples of how husbands and wives experiences were related include physical, social, and emotional roles. Additional areas where the couples individual experiences were significantly related were their self-reported mental health and amount of pain they reported experiencing.

Abstract

Mary Beth Happ, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh
Contact Information: mhapp@pitt.edu

"Feasibility Study of Augmentative Communication Device Following Head and Neck Surgery"

2000 ONS Foundation Small Grant
Funded by the ONS Foundation through an unrestricted grant from Ortho Biotech Products, L.P.
Funding: $9,525
Funding Period: March 15, 2000 - March 15, 2002
Final Report Received: June 12, 2003

SUMMARY
The purpose of the study was to explore the feasibility of using an electronic augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device with head and neck surgical patients who are temporarily unable to speak. The patients received their choice of small message capacity digitized recorder (MessageMateÔ) or large message capacity touch screen (DynaMyteÔ) electronic Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCAs) following head or neck cancer surgery. The patients were able to use electronic VOCAs despite receiving intermittent narcotic analgesia and/or sedation. Most of the patients in this study preferred writing and gestural communication to VOCA use; however, one patient used the VOCA as the dominant method of communication. Of those patients who used the VOCA, it was found that they initiated communication interactions more often when VOCAs were used than when communicating by other nonvocal methods. VOCAs can be a valuable adjunct for communication with selected, nonspeaking head and neck cancer patients during the immediate post-operative period.

Abstract

Usama Saleh, PhD, RN
Graduate Oncology Program Coordinator, University of Kentucky
Contact Information: ussaleO@pop.uky.edu

"Quality of Life Following Bone Marrow Transplantation: A Comparative Study"

2001 ONS Foundation Small Research Grant
Funded by the ONS Foundation (Ethnic Minority Research Grant)
Funding: $9,069
Funding Period: March 15, 2001 - March 15, 2003
Final Report Received: May 19, 2003

SUMMARY
The purposes of this study were to examine differences in health status, social support, post-traumatic growth, and psychological well-being among 140 bone marrow transplant (BMT) survivors and 104 age-, gender-, and education-matched participants. Group differences were found in relation to health status, tangible social support, post-traumatic growth, and psychological well-being. Among BMT survivors, participants described their post-BMT quality of life as good. However, they experienced a number of specific functional impairments post-BMT. In particular, participants experienced lack of energy, pain, dissatisfaction with sexual lives, feeling distant from friends, worries about medical conditions, feeling sad, unfulfillment of work, inability to work, and dislike of bodily appearance. BMT survivors scored at the midrange of fear of cancer recurrence scale and were adhering to their treatment regimen. Narrative analysis suggested that subjects experienced negative as well as positive changes post-BMT.

Abstract

Mary Ellen Smith, PhD, RN, CS
Director of Undergraduate Nursing, Drexel University
Contact Information: ms55@drexel.edu

"Bone Marrow Donation: Factors Influencing Donation in African Americans"

2001 ONS Foundation Small Research Grant
Funded by the ONS Foundation through an unrestricted grant from Genentech, Inc.
Funding: $9,225
Funding Period: March 15, 2001 - March 15, 2003
Final Report Received: May 29, 2003

SUMMARY
The purpose of this exploratory descriptive study was to identify factors influencing African Americans' intention regarding bone marrow donation using Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior. Seven factors influencing bone marrow donation were identified. Findings revealed that Fear or Not Trusting, External Influence, and Concern About Resources were associated with subjects' intention not to donate bone marrow. Helping Others, Approval of People, and Value of Knowledge were associated with their intention to donate bone marrow. Lack of knowledge about bone marrow donation can be changed through education; the nurse's responsibility in this area is critical.

Abstract

Margaret Sturgis-Wagnerowski, MSN, RN, AOCN^®
Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center
Contact Information: sturgism@sjrmc.com

"The Effect of Nurses' Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Pain Management"

2001 ONS Foundation Small Grant
Funded by the ONS Foundation through an unrestricted grant from Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, L.P.
Funding: $7,032
Funding Period: September 15, 2001 - September 15, 2003
Final Report Received: December 23, 2003

SUMMARY
The purpose of the study was to study the effect of an educational intervention on nurses' knowledge, attitudes and clinical practice related to pain management. The educational intervention included an assessment of the participant's preference for learning and a self-learning packet addressing the components of a comprehensive pain assessment and how to complete such an assessment and a review of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions for pain management. Establishment of comfort goals and a review of documentation were included in the intervention. A one-day program for Pain Resource Nurses was offered. No significant pre-post differences were found on knowledge and attitudes related to pain. Chart audit findings indicated an increase in the documented use of the pain scale post education. The management of side effects did not show any statistically significant difference pre/post education.

Abstract

Rose Utley, PhD, RN
Associate Professor, Southwest Missouri State University
Contact Information: rau293f@smsu.edu

"Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors Experiences: A Secondary Analysis"

2001 ONS Foundation Small Research Grant
Funded by the ONS Foundation through an unrestricted grant from Pfizer
Funding: $8,124
Funding Period: March 15, 2001 - March 15, 2003
Final Report Received: October 27, 2003

SUMMARY
The purpose of this study was to conduct a secondary analysis of oral life. This study involved computer-assisted, secondary analysis of oral life history interviews of long-term breast cancer survivors. The participants were 65 and older and had survived breast cancer 5 or more years. The study addressed the following questions: What needs and issues do these women experience? What factors do they identify as helpful and not helpful in facilitating their recovery and survivorship? Findings of the study revealed several issue related themes including: family as a source of stress prior to diagnosis with cancer, concern about children and grandchildren inheriting breast cancer, and body image as a factor in making treatment decisions. Factors identified as helpful included nurses or caretakers who had also been diagnosed with breast cancer and continuing cancer monitoring beyond the five-year survival period.

Abstract