Loneliness among cancer caregivers: A narrative review

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamryn F. Gray ◽  
Desiree R. Azizoddin ◽  
Paula V. Nersesian
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Loved One ◽  
Cancer Caregivers

AbstractObjectiveProviding care to a loved one with cancer places demands on caregivers that result in changes to their daily routines and disruptions to their social relationships that then contribute to loneliness. Though caregivers’ psychosocial challenges have been well studied, loneliness — a determinant of health — has not been well studied in this population. This narrative review sought to describe the current evidence on loneliness among caregivers of cancer patients. We aimed to (1) define loneliness, (2) describe its prevalence, (3) describe the association between loneliness and health outcomes, (4) describe risks and consequences of loneliness among cancer caregivers, (5) identify ways to assess loneliness, and (6) recommend strategies to mitigate loneliness in this unique population.MethodWe used evidence from articles listed in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases, book chapters, and reports. Articles were reviewed for the following inclusion criteria: (1) published in English, (2) caregivers of cancer patients, (3) loneliness as a study variable, and (4) peer-reviewed with no restriction on the timeframe of publication. Caregivers were defined as relatives, friends, or partners who provide most of the care and support for someone with cancer.ResultsEighteen studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Caregivers’ experiences of loneliness can contribute to negative effects on one's social, emotional, and physical well-being. Social support interventions may not be sufficient to address this problem. Existing recommendations to mitigate loneliness include cognitive and psychological reframing, one-on-one and group therapy, befriending, resilience training, and technology-based interventions.Significance of resultsLimited attention to loneliness in cancer caregivers poses a twofold problem that impacts patient and caregiver outcomes. Interventions are critically needed to address loneliness as a determinant of health in caregivers, given their pivotal role in providing care and impacting health outcomes for people with cancer.

Loneliness among cancer caregivers: The current state of the science.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 19-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamryn Gray ◽  
Desiree Rachel Azizoddin ◽  
Paula V. Nersesian
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Loved One ◽  
Current State ◽  
Cancer Caregivers ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
State Of The Science

19 Background: A cancer diagnosis can profoundly affect both patients and their caregivers. Providing care to a loved one with cancer places demands on caregivers that may result in changes to caregivers’ daily routines and disruptions to their social relationships, which may contribute to feelings of loneliness. Though caregivers’ psychosocial challenges have been extensively examined, loneliness—a determinant of health—has not been well-studied in this population. In this narrative review, we described the current state of the science related to loneliness among cancer caregivers, methods to assess loneliness, and recommended strategies to mitigate loneliness in cancer caregivers. Methods: We used evidence from peer-reviewed articles listed in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases. Articles were reviewed for the following inclusion criteria: (1) published in English, (2) caregivers of cancer patients, (3) loneliness as a study variable, and (4) peer-reviewed with no restriction on timeframe of publication. Caregivers were defined as relatives, friends, or partners who provide most of the care for someone with cancer. Results: Eighteen studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Caregivers’ experiences of loneliness can contribute to negative effects on a caregiver’s social, emotional, and physical well-being. Social support interventions may not be sufficient to address this problem. Existing recommendations to help address loneliness include cognitive and psychological reframing, one-on-one and group therapy, befriending, resilience training, and technology-based interventions. Conclusions: As a condition of growing importance, loneliness can lead to poor outcomes in social, emotional, and physical health when left unaddressed. Limited understanding regarding loneliness in cancer caregivers poses a two-fold problem that has the potential to impact patient and caregiver outcomes. Future efforts should include intervention development to address loneliness as a determinant of health in this unique population, especially given the pivotal role of caregivers in providing care and impacting health outcomes for people with cancer.

scholarly journals Effects of adult attachment on health outcomes among couples facing ovarian cancer and the mediating role of dyadic coping

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra Crangle
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Dyadic Coping ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Anxious Attachment ◽  
Avoidant Attachment ◽  
Dyadic Coping Inventory

Background: Ovarian cancer is commonly diagnosed at a late stage of illness, raising significant challenges to health-related quality of life (QOL). Increasingly, cancer is conceptualized as an interpersonal stressor that significantly impacts patients as well as their spouses. It has been suggested that adult attachment significantly impacts health outcomes by way of dyadic processes. The present study used the actor partner interdependence model (APIM) to examine the dyadic effects of adult attachment and dyadic coping on QOL, and whether dyadic coping mediated the associations between attachment and QOL. Methods: Couples (N=106) facing ovarian cancer were recruited from a comprehensive cancer centre in Toronto, ON. Attachment was measured by the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale – Revised, dyadic coping was measured by the Dyadic Coping Inventory, and QOL was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment. APIM analyses evaluated within person and cross-dyadic effects. Role (patients compared with spouses) was examined as a moderator. Results: There were significant within person effects of anxious attachment on physical, social, emotional, and functional QOL. There were also significant within person effects of avoidant attachment on social, emotional, and functional QOL. Positive and negative dyadic coping demonstrated significant within person effects on social and functional QOL. There were no significant cross-dyadic effects nor was there evidence of moderation by role. The within person association between avoidant attachment and social QOL was significantly mediated by positive dyadic coping. The within person association between anxious attachment and social QOL was significantly mediated by positive and negative dyadic coping. Additionally, there was a significant indirect cross-dyadic effect, such that greater anxious attachment reported by one partner was associated with less positive dyadic coping and subsequently less social QOL reported by the other partner. Discussion: Adult attachment and coping as a couple are important considerations in understanding QOL among both patients and spouses. Intervention strategies to address attachment, and the behavioural system associated with attachment, such as dyadic coping, may be useful in addressing impaired individual well-being. Future studies should consider additional dyadic processes that may account for the negative effects of attachment on QOL such as intimacy.

scholarly journals A poorer nutritional status impacts quality of life in a sample population of elderly cancer patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiane Correia Rios ◽  
Lucivalda Pereira Magalhães de Oliveira ◽  
Maria Lúcia Varjão da Costa ◽  
Ramona Souza da Silva Baqueiro Boulhosa ◽  
Anna Karla Carneiro Roriz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Tertiary Referral Hospital ◽  
Elderly Cancer Patients

Abstract Rationale Quality of Life (QoL) is impaired in cancer, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition. A diagnosis of cancer in elderly patients further exacerbates risks of negative health outcomes. Here we investigated associations between QoL and nutritional status in a sample population of mostly socially deprived elderly cancer patients. Method 432 cancer patients were recruited for this cross-sectional study at point of admission to a tertiary referral hospital for cancer treatment. Patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) assessed nutritional status. Functional assessment of cancer therapy- general (FACT-G) quantified QoL. Relationship between PG-SGA and QoL was assessed by Spearman correlation. PG-SGA outcomes were compared against FACT-G scores employing Mann–Whitney test. Bivariate Linear Regression Model was employed to investigate influences of sociodemographic, clinical and nutritional status upon QoL. Results 37.5% of participants were malnourished or at risk. 39% were illiterate and 54.6% had family income lower than minimum wage. Malnourished patients showed lower FACT-G scores (76.8 vs. 84.7; p = 0.000). Poor nutritional diagnosis was inversely correlated with all QoL domains. Bivariate regression analysis showed that lower PG-SGA scores (βo =  − 1.00; p = 0.000) contributed to FACT-G score deterioration, the male gender showed better QoL scores, and other clinical and sociodemographic variables did not show relationship. Conclusion Poorer nutritional status was significantly associated with worsened physical, social, emotional and functional well-being QoL domains in elderly cancer patients. Poorer nutritional status is an independent risk factor for worsened QoL. Future policies aimed at particularly vulnerable populations may improve QoL and health outcomes.

scholarly journals Effects of adult attachment on health outcomes among couples facing ovarian cancer and the mediating role of dyadic coping

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra Crangle
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Dyadic Coping ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Social Emotional ◽  
Anxious Attachment ◽  
Avoidant Attachment ◽  
Dyadic Coping Inventory

Background: Ovarian cancer is commonly diagnosed at a late stage of illness, raising significant challenges to health-related quality of life (QOL). Increasingly, cancer is conceptualized as an interpersonal stressor that significantly impacts patients as well as their spouses. It has been suggested that adult attachment significantly impacts health outcomes by way of dyadic processes. The present study used the actor partner interdependence model (APIM) to examine the dyadic effects of adult attachment and dyadic coping on QOL, and whether dyadic coping mediated the associations between attachment and QOL. Methods: Couples (N=106) facing ovarian cancer were recruited from a comprehensive cancer centre in Toronto, ON. Attachment was measured by the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale – Revised, dyadic coping was measured by the Dyadic Coping Inventory, and QOL was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment. APIM analyses evaluated within person and cross-dyadic effects. Role (patients compared with spouses) was examined as a moderator. Results: There were significant within person effects of anxious attachment on physical, social, emotional, and functional QOL. There were also significant within person effects of avoidant attachment on social, emotional, and functional QOL. Positive and negative dyadic coping demonstrated significant within person effects on social and functional QOL. There were no significant cross-dyadic effects nor was there evidence of moderation by role. The within person association between avoidant attachment and social QOL was significantly mediated by positive dyadic coping. The within person association between anxious attachment and social QOL was significantly mediated by positive and negative dyadic coping. Additionally, there was a significant indirect cross-dyadic effect, such that greater anxious attachment reported by one partner was associated with less positive dyadic coping and subsequently less social QOL reported by the other partner. Discussion: Adult attachment and coping as a couple are important considerations in understanding QOL among both patients and spouses. Intervention strategies to address attachment, and the behavioural system associated with attachment, such as dyadic coping, may be useful in addressing impaired individual well-being. Future studies should consider additional dyadic processes that may account for the negative effects of attachment on QOL such as intimacy.

scholarly journals A Review on Aging, Sarcopenia, Falls, and Resistance Training in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 874
Author(s):  
Filipe Rodrigues ◽  
Christophe Domingos ◽  
Diogo Monteiro ◽  
Pedro Morouço
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Training ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Resistance Training Program

As aging continues to grow in our society, sarcopenia and associated fall risk is considered a public health problem since falling is the third cause of chronic disability. Falls are negatively related to functionality and independence and positively associated with morbidity and mortality. The cost of treatment of secondary injuries related to falls is high. For example, one in ten fall incidents leads to bone fractures and several other comorbidities. As demonstrated by several experimental studies, adopting a more active lifestyle is critical for reducing the number of fall episodes and their consequences. Therefore, it is essential to debate the proven physical exercise methods to reduce falls and fall-related effects. Since muscle mass, muscle strength, bone density, and cartilage function may play significant roles in daily activities, resistance training may positively and significantly affect the elderly. This narrative review aimed to examine current evidence on existing resistance training using resistance machines and bodyweight or low-cost equipment for the elderly and how they are related to falls and fall-related consequences. We provide theoretical links between aging, sarcopenia, and falls linking to resistance training and offer practical suggestions to exercise professionals seeking to promote regular physical exercise to promote quality of life in this population. Exercise programs focusing on strength may significantly influence muscle mass and muscle strength, minimizing functional decline and risk of falling. Resistance training programs should be customized to each elderly according to age, sex, and other fundamental and individual aspects. This narrative review provides evidence to support recommendations for practical resistance training in the elderly related to intensity and volume. A properly designed resistance training program with adequate instructions and technique is safe for the elderly. It should include an individualized approach based on existing equipment (i.e., body weight, resistance machines). Existing literature shows that exercise performance towards 2–3 sets of 1–2 exercises per major muscle group, performing 5–8 repetitions or achieving intensities of 50–80% of 1RM, 2–3 times per week should be recommended, followed by training principles such as periodization and progression. Bearing this in mind, health and exercise professionals should combine efforts focusing on efficient strategies to reduce falls among the elderly and promote higher experiences of well-being at advanced stages in life.

scholarly journals Clinical Benefits of Acupuncture for the Reduction of Hormone Therapy–Related Side Effects in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 602-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanqing Pan ◽  
Kehu Yang ◽  
Xiue Shi ◽  
Haiqian Liang ◽  
Xiping Shen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Hormone Therapy ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients

Importance. Acupuncture can help reduce unpleasant side effects associated with endocrine therapy for breast cancer. Nevertheless, comprehensive evaluation of current evidence from randomized controlled trials(RCTs) is lacking. Objective. To estimate the efficacy of acupuncture for the reduction of hormone therapy-related side effects in breast cancer patients. Evidence review. RCTs of acupuncture in breast cancer patients that examined reductions in hormone therapy–related side effects were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases through April 2016. The quality of the included studies was evaluated according to the 5.2 Cochrane Handbook standards, and CONSORT and STRICTA (Revised Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture) statements. Intervention. Interventions included conventional acupuncture treatment compared with no treatment, placebo, or conventional pharmaceutical medication. Major outcome measures were the alleviation of frequency and symptoms and the presence of hormone therapy–related side effects. Findings/Results. A total of 17 RCTs, including a total of 810 breast cancer patients were examined. The methodological quality of the trials was relatively rigorous in terms of randomization, blinding, and sources of bias. Compared with control therapies, the pooled results suggested that acupuncture had moderate effects in improving stiffness. No significant differences were observed in hot flashes, fatigue, pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, Kupperman index, general well-being, physical well-being, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin (IL). Conclusions. Acupuncture therapy appears to be potentially useful in relieving functional stiffness. However, further large-sample trials with evidence-based design are still needed to confirm these findings.

Life span development of schizophrenia

2020 ◽  
pp. 143-151
Author(s):  
Matti Isohanni ◽  
Jouko Miettunen ◽  
Matti Penttilä
Keyword(s):  
Life Span ◽  
Early Adulthood ◽  
Premature Mortality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Chronic Disability ◽  
Somatic Comorbidity ◽  
Evidence Based Treatments

Schizophrenia is a common, often life-long disorder, beginning mostly in early adulthood. It has remarkably negative effects on personal, familial, somatic, and social well-being. Outcomes range from recovery to chronic disability. Subtle premorbid deviances in motor, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral domains exist. Continuous symptomatology, brain matter loss, cognitive deterioration, excess somatic comorbidity, and premature mortality are seen throughout the life span. The proportion achieving full recovery is small (13.5%) and appears to be stable over recent decades. Many aged individuals with schizophrenia have a favorable clinical and social course. A gap exists in the areas of health and adult creative potential between people with and without schizophrenia. We have an incomplete understanding of the disease mechanisms, lifelong natural course and of how to optimize care during the life span. Current evidence-based treatments have moderate effects and are used insufficiently.

The Impact of Hospice Care on Families

1984 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Godkin ◽  
Melvin J. Krant ◽  
Nancy J. Doster
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Late Stage ◽  
Hospice Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Terminal Phase ◽  
Large Problem ◽  
Loved One ◽  
Late Stage Cancer ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Sense

The impact of a hospital-based Hospice service for late-stage cancer patients, on the families of fifty-eight bereaved spouses was studied, retrospectively. Hospice care in general was rated significantly higher when compared to the prior care ( p < .001) received by patients and families. Hospice care contributed to improved family functioning and well-being, with the vast majority of spouses reporting feelings of increased support, improved coping by all family members and increased closeness, when compared to prior care. Consequently, over three-quarters of the families reported being emotionally prepared, and prepared in a practical sense, for the death of their loved one. Families appear to be coping reasonably well during bereavement especially those who reported feeling emotionally prepared for the death. Health problems were reported as a large problem in 15 percent of the respondents, which compares favorably to previously documented research on bereavement and illness. These findings indicate that a Hospice mode of care, with its support of families during terminal and bereavement stages, impacts significantly on families' abilities to cope with the terminal phase and adapt afterwards.

Bladder cancer caregiver quality of life and patient cancer severity.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 456-456
Author(s):  
Kathryn Gessner ◽  
Sean McCabe ◽  
Pauline Filippou ◽  
Hannah McCloskey ◽  
Judy Hamad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Private Life ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Cancer Caregivers ◽  
The Impact

456 Background: Bladder cancer patients’ care is often managed by caregivers, yet caregiving can create a physiologic and emotional burden that compromises the caregivers’ own quality of life (QOL). Our objective was to determine the impact of disease stage on caregiver QOL among a large national cohort of bladder cancer patients. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional survey of bladder cancer caregivers using the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network Patient Survey Network and Inspire platforms to determine caregiver QOL using the CareGiver QOL questionnaire (CarGOQoL). Caregivers were also queried regarding demographic, socioeconomic and clinical characteristics of their loved one. We present descriptive statistics and a multiple linear regression model to identify factors independently associated with QOL domain score. Results: 132 respondents self-identified as caregivers of patients with bladder cancer. Among respondents, 85% were a spouse, 86% were female, and 97% were white. The mean age was 63 years (range 34 to 72 years) and 73% of respondents completed college. The highest cancer stage for patients was non-invasive in 42%, muscle-invasive in 33%, and metastatic in 24%. On bivariable analysis, stage was associated with leisure and social support but was not associated with global QOL, psychologic or physical well-being, burden, relationship with healthcare, administration and finances, coping, self-esteem or private life. However, on multivariable analysis controlling for age, race, years since diagnosis, and comorbidity, stage was significantly associated with Caregiver QOL (p=0.04). Conclusions: Disease stage significantly impacts QOL among bladder cancer caregivers. As the caregiver is increasingly considered as a stakeholder in survivorship efforts, future interventions should consider targeting social support among caregivers of patients with advanced bladder cancer.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document