Kilgour, R, Jones, D. Keyserlink, J. (2008). Effectiveness of a self-administered, home-based exercise rehabilitation program for women following a modified radical mastectomy and axillary node dissection: A preliminary study, Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 109(2), 285–295.
To study the effects of a self-administered home-based exercise video program designed to help women regain shoulder mobility immediately following surgery for modified radical mastectomy and axillary node dissection
Patients were randomly assigned to usual care control or home-based exercise groups. Usual care consisted of standard written information on diet and skin care and a nine-page brochure entitled “Exercise Guide After Breast Surgery”. Participants were not encouraged to follow exercises, nor were they instructed not to do the exercises. The study was conducted during the immediate two-week recovery period following surgery. Over the next 11 days, women assigned to the home-based exercise intervention received the usual care education and followed the home-based exercise video program. Exercises involved upper-extremity movement designed to increase general range of motion, various neck movements, and stretches.
The study took place at an outpatient setting in Montreal, Canada.
The study used a randomized controlled trial design.
The experimental group demonstrated a significantly greater increase in flexion (p = 0.003) and abduction (p = 0.036) of shoulder. There was no significant difference in forearm circumference measurements, external rotation, grip strength, or pain. None of the patients in the home-based exercise group demonstrated any significant change in forearm circumference that would indicate lymphedema. Fifty percent of the patients in the home-based exercise group did not complete exercises because of pain at the shoulder joint and axillary swelling, 25% because of lack of support from family and others, 12.5% for no specific reason.
Self-directed home exercise was associated with greater improvement in some range of motion over time and did not appear to aggravate lymphedema development. There was generally low adherence to the self-directed program.
Poor adherence to the home based self-directed program point to the challenges associated with the approach described in the study.
Kieviet-Stijnen, A., Visser, A., Garssen, B., & Hudig, W. (2008). Mindfulness-based stress reduction training for oncology patients: Patients’ appraisal and changes in well-being. Patient Education and Counseling, 72, 436–442.
The MBSR intervention emphasized the following.
The intervention was offered in eight weekly sessions that were each 2.5 hours in length. Participants were encouraged to practice at home for 45 minutes using an exercise CD and other homework assignments. Each training group was guided by two therapists experienced in working with patients with cancer. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, at week 8, and a year after intervention.
The intervention was modeled after the MBSR program at the Stress Reduction and Relaxation Clinic, Massachusetts Medical Center as described by Kabat-Zinn (1990).
Not described
The MBSR intervention did not significantly improve fatigue outcomes for patients at the eight-week intervention end-point or at one-year follow-up.
Kietpeerakool, C., Supoken, A., Laopaiboon, M., & Lumbiganon, P. (2016). Effectiveness of tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss during cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016, CD011732.
STUDY PURPOSE: To assess the effects of tranexamic acid for reducing blood loss in women undergoing surgery for advanced ovarian cancer
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Preoperative tranexamic acid was associated with reduced loss of blood compared to placebo; however, the difference from placebo was not statistically significant, and the difference seen did not demonstrate a clearly clinically important benefit (mean difference = -248.59, 95% CI [-550.9, 53.79]). Average number of RBC units were not different between groups, although the rate of RBC transfusion was lower in those given tranexamic acid.
Evidence regarding the effectiveness of tranexamic acid from this review is inconclusive because only one study was found and reviewed.
This review provided no new information to evaluate efficacy of tranexamic acid for prevention of bleeding.
Kienzle-Horn, S., Vix, J.M., Schuitjt, C., Peil, H., Jordan, C.C., & Kamm, M.A. (2007). Comparison of bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate in the treatment of chronic constipation. Current Medical Research and Opinion, 23, 691–699.
To compare the safety and efficacy of bisacodyl and sodium picosulphate.
Patients received 5 to 10 mg of bisacodyl sugar-coated tablets or sodium picosulphate drops daily over four weeks. The study schedule included four visits: an initial screening visit followed by a seven-day baseline period, a randomization visit (1:1 basis) and two follow-up visits on days 15 and 29.
15 centers (outpatient clinics and specialist gastroenterology units) in Germany
This was a phase IV, open-label, randomized, parallel group study.
Bisacodyl and sodium picosulphate are equally tolerated and effective in the treatment of chronic constipation.
Kienzle-Horn, S., Vix, J.M., Schuitjt, C., Peil, H., Jordan, C.C., & Kamm, M.A. (2006). Efficacy and safety of bisacodyl in acute treatment of constipation: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Aliment Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 23, 1479–1488.
To determine the effect and safety of oral bisacodyl on stool frequency and consistency.
Patients received bisacodyl 10 mg (two 5-mg tablets) or placebo (two tablets) orally once daily on three successive days following a three-day run-in period. The study had a three-day baseline period and three treatment days. Patients were asked not to drink milk or take antacids at the same time as study medications because they could dissolve the enteric coating. Randomization was 1:1. Unused medication was collected at the end of the treatment period. Primary endpoints during the three-day treatment period were mean number of stools per day and mean stool consistency.
Eight primary care practices in Germany
This was a phase IV, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group design study.
Bisacodyl is effective and safe in improving stool frequency and consistency.
Kiecolt-Glaser, J.K., Bennett, J.M., Andridge, R., Peng, J., Shapiro, C.L., Malarkey, W.B., . . . Glaser, R. (2014). Yoga’s impact on inflammation, mood, and fatigue in breast cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology. Advance online publication.
To assess the effects of yoga on inflammation, mood, and fatigue and to test the hypothesis that yoga would decrease inflammation, depressive symptoms, and fatigue in breast cancer survivors
Women were randomly assigned to the intervention group or a wait-list control group. The intervention consisted of two 90-minute Hatha yoga sessions per week for 12 weeks delivered in a group setting. Sessions were audiotaped, and 50% were randomly assessed for differences from predetermined poses to assess fidelity of the intervention. Yoga teachers called anyone who missed a class. Home practice was encouraged, and all practice times were recorded by participants in weekly logs. Data were collected at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and after three months post-treatment.
Single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial
Patients attended a median of 79% of yoga classes and reported an average of 24.69 minutes of practice per day at home and in class over 12 weeks. Immediately after the intervention, there were no differences between the groups in fatigue; however, in the yoga group, fatigue was significantly lower at three months (Cohen’s d = -0.36, p = 0.002). Vitality in the yoga group was significantly higher immediately post-treatment and at three months (p = 0.01). There were no differences between the groups in depressive symptoms. Immediately postintervention, there were no differences between groups in cytokine levels; however, at three months, the yoga group had significantly lower cytokine levels compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Yoga participants reported improved sleep compared to patients in the control group (p = 0.03).
Yoga was associated with reduced fatigue, increased vitality, improved sleep, and reduced cytokine levels. Yoga did not appear to have an effect on depressive symptoms in this study.
The findings of this study demonstrated that yoga practice was effective in reducing fatigue and improving vitality and sleep in this patient population. Nurses can suggest that patients become involved in yoga practice as a way to manage fatigue and sleep disturbance. These findings also suggest that yoga can have an impact on subclinical inflammation, which may be a mechanism that fuels fatigue and the decline of physical function.
Kidd, F., Buttner, C., & Kressel, A.B. (2007). Construction: A model program for infection control compliance. American Journal of Infection Control, 35, 347–350.
This study describes a five-year expansion project to build a nine-story employee garage, a new post-anesthesia care unit, a new cardiothoracic intensive care unit, and expansion of existing operating room space to include eight new operating rooms. The construction plan included demolition of five circa 1910 mostly unused buildings.
One infection control practitioner (ICP) attended a University of Minnesota Health Care Facility Construction Management Indoor Air Quality Workshop.
An infection control education program for contractors was developed that all construction workers were required to complete the training prior to working on the construction project and annually thereafter.
The infection control training takes 30 minutes. The lesson plan is organized by sections that include precautions to take before, during, and after construction work. There also is an audiovisual program about Aspergillus and its transmission and the susceptibility of immunosuppressed patients.
An infection control team including the general contractor, project manager, ICP, and operating room nurse planner make rounds weekly or daily on all projects to monitor for compliance and answer questions. In addition, other precautions were implemented since patients could not be relocated away from the area of greatest activity.
Members of the design and construction department are engineers and architects and have attended classes on construction and infection control.
During the first four years of demolition and renovation, the University Hospital had no nosocomial Aspergillus infections.
In the fifth year, of construction, two patients who had possible hospital-acquired infections were identified. An industrial hygienist was brought in to evaluate intervention and make recommendations, but nothing of concern was found.
Particle sampling remained the same from pre-construction to post-construction.
Both possible nosocomial Aspergillus infections occurred after a building that was connected to the hospital and shared air space began a large renovation project without using infection control prevention.
Hospitals must be aware not only of what is happening inside their own facilities, but also what is happening outside. ICPs must establish collegiality with contractors, architects, maintenance, and engineering personnel to produce an effective, comprehensive infection-prevention atmosphere during construction and renovation.
Khurana, H., Pandey, R., Saksena, A., & Kumar, A. (2012). An evaluation of vitamin E and pycnogenol in children suffering from oral mucositis during cancer chemotherapy. Oral Diseases.
Evaluate and compare effectiveness of topical vitamin E and pycnogenol (pine bark extract) in treatment of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis.
Children were randomly assigned to the use of vitamin E, pycnogenol, or sterile water rinses. All were also to follow a uniform oral care protocol, including brushing with a soft tooth brush and chlorhexidine mouth rinse 3 times/day. All study interventions were applied topically three times a day using a dropper. Medications were stored in a refrigerator before usage. The medication was kept in the patient’s mouth for 30 seconds and then swallowed. Patients were blinded to the treatment group. Patients were followed for seven days.
The study was comprised of 72 patients, with a mean age of 9.25 and a range of 6-15 years.
MALES 79%, FEMALES 21%
KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: All had hematological cancers, including ALL, AML, and NHL, and all were in induction or intensification phases of treatment.
SITE: Single site
SETTING TYPE: Multiple settings
LOCATION: India
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
APPLICATIONS: Pediatrics
Single, blind, randomized placebo controlled
Mucositis grades in those receiving either vitamin E or pine bark extract were significantly lower than those on placebo (p </= 0.006). OMAS scores declined significantly and consistently across days 1-7, while these scores remained the same in the placebo group. There was significant improvement in pain scores in both intervention groups from day 4 onward, compared to placebo. There were no significant differences in study outcomes between those treated with vitamin E or pine bark.
Topical vitamin E and pine bark extract (pycnogenol) were of benefit in reducing severity of mucositis and pain associated with mucositis in these patients.
Topical vitamin E and pine bark extract may have some promise for the management of oral mucositis. Further research on these interventions is warranted.
Khouri, V.Y., Stracieri, A.B., Rodrigues, M.C., Moraes, D.A., Pieroni, F., Simoes, B.P., & Voltarelli, J.C. (2009). Use of therapeutic laser for prevention and treatment of oral mucositis. Brazilian Dental Journal, 20(3), 215–220.
To evaluate the frequency and evolution of oral mucositis (OM) among stem cell transplant recipients subjected to therapeutic laser versus mucositis formula
Patients (n = 22) were randomly assigned to control or low level laser therapy (LLLT) daily. The treatment phase for both groups began with the initial clinical manifestations of mucositis with follow up until day +15 after transplant. Two types of laser were used on alternate days, one indicated for tissue repair and the other for analgesia.
This was a single-site conducted in the bone marrow transplant unit (BMTU) of the University Hospital School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto (UHSMRP) at the University of São Paulo in Brazil.
The study was a randomized controlled trial.
The laser treatment group had lower frequency of oral mucositis (p = 0.02) and a lower mean grade of mucositis (p < 0.01).
The inclusion of LLLT was effective in lowering the frequency and treating oral mucositis in patients being treated with high dose myeloablative chemotherapy in preparation for stem cell transplant.
Laser therapy is effective in the treatment of mucositis, but it is very high tech and requires special equipment and highly trained personnel.
Khojasteh, N.H., Zakerinia, M., Ramzi, M., & Haghshenas, M. (2000). A new regimen of MESNA (2-mercaptoethanesulfonate) effectively prevents cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in bone marrow transplant recipients. Transplantation Proceedings, 32, 596.
Mesna was given to patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and administered high-dose chemotherapy. Doses were administered at 400 mg/m2 at hours 0, 1, 3, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 20. Fluid also was administered at 3,000 mL/m2.
Three patients developed transient but asymptomatic hemorrhagic cystitis. One patient developed late onset but moderate hemorrhagic cystitis.