• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.152-161
• /
• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the information providing program of $I^{131}$ treatment on the pre-treatment anxiety and immune response of patients with thyroid cancer. Method: The used design was a nonequivalent control group design with pretest and post-test. Subjects of this study were 54 patients who had received a total thyroidectomy. They were given a information providing program with a brochure before 4 weeks of the hospitalization for $I^{131}treatment$, with problem solving phone counseling before 2 weeks of the hospitalization. Collected data were analyzed using the SPSS WIN program. Result: Hypothesis one, "The anxiety score of an experimental group would be lower than the score of a control group" was supported(t = -2.12, p = .03). Hypothesis two, "The level of cortisol of an experimental group would be lower than the level of a control group" was supported(t = -3.19, p = .00). However, hypothesis three "The level of T, B and N-K cells of an experimental group would be higher than the level of a control group" was not supported. Conclusion: The information providing program of $I^{131}$ treatment effectively decreased the anxiety of patients with thyroid cancer.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.121-132
• /
• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of the patients with cancer participating in a clinical trial for the development of a new drug. Method: This study was based on a phenomenological approach. The eight patients participating in a clinical trial were selected as the participations of this study. The data were obtained through in-depth interviews from the participants and were analyzed using the Giorgi method. Results: Essential experiences of the patients with cancer under a clinical trial consisted of anticipating recovery of physical health and a social role, passing the strict criteria of a clinical trial, diminishing economic burden, satisfaction with special treatment receiving, social contribution, concerns about side effects and withdrawal from the clinical trial, conflicts as a participant, pain, limited administration of other treatments, regret for giving up other treatments, strict compliance with instructions, prevention of side effects and maintaining desirable life-style. Integrated units of meaning of these components were hope, good luck, a sense of satisfaction, fear, distress, and the will of self-control. Conclusion: The most essential meaning of the cancer patients participating in a clinical trial was hope. Hope was found to be a primary factor reinforcing the will of self-management. The results of this study can be of great help to the research nurses to understand the lived experience of the patients with cancer and to plan an effective nursing intervention for the patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.104-114
• /
• 2006

Genetic knowledge for oncology nurses is important in Korea because oncologists are incorporating genetic counseling and genetic testing into their practice. The purpose of this paper is to describe our method of developing the first academic cancer genetic risk assessment and counseling course for Korean nurses. A one-week (non-credit) cancer genetics counseling program was constructed for master's level Korean oncology nurses. The course emphasized basic genetic concepts and principles the genetics of cancer; hereditary cancer syndromes; family history assessments; pedigree construction; risk calculation; surveillance recommendations and treatment options ethical, legal, social, and psychological issues inherent in genetic testing. The goals of this program are to: 1) provide a comprehensive knowledge base for nurses who are currently expanding their scope of practice into the genetic counseling role 2) introduce this knowledge to nurses who want to use it in their practice; and 3) provide cancer genetic knowledge and resources to Korean nursing faculty who plan to incorporate this knowledge into existing master's courses. This academically-based course is recognized as valuable by nurses, nursing faculty, and physicians. With this new knowledge nurses can begin toexpand their role in delivering comprehensive cancer care services.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.32-39
• /
• 2008

Purpose: This study was to identify the relationship between perceived family support and quality of life in hospitalized patient with terminal cancer. Method: Study subjects were 104 patients with terminal cancer who were hospitalized and treated at K university hospital, in Busan. Perceived family support and quality of life were measured using the Kang's Revised Family Support Scale and Youn's Quality of Life scale for terminal patients. Results: 1) The mean score of perceived family support was $4.23{\pm}0.61$. The mean score of quality of life was $5.83{\pm}1.37$. 2) The perceived family support was significantly different with primary care giver, food type, medical period after diagnosis. 3) The levels of quality of life was significantly different by number of children, effect of religion on the one' life, perceived state of disease and pain. 4) There was moderate positive correlation between perceived family support and quality of life. Conclusions: Increase in perceived family support was associated with increase in quality of life in hospitalized patients with terminal cancer. It is necessary that the development of nursing education program for family which help to support the patient with terminal cancer for increasing the quality of life of patient with terminal cancer.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.24-31
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate resilience of children with cancer and their mothers. This study aims to identify the main factors behind the resilience of these patients and their mothers. Method: To measure the resilience of cancer patients, Kim's (2002) resilience scale was utilized. The Korean Family Functioning Scale revised by Chae (2004) was used to calculate the resilience of mothers. Respondents for this study consist of 60 pediatric cancer patients and their mothers. Data was collected a Medical Center in Seoul, Korea. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and the Pearson's correlation coefficients were used for data analysis. Results: The resilience mean of pediatric cancer patients is 98.32 ($3.09{\pm}0.03$) and of mothers is 64.95 ($3.08{\pm}0.25$). There appears to be a high resilience in pediatric cancer patients who hold religious beliefs. Similarly, there is a high resilience for mothers who are employed. And there is a significant positive correlation between the resilience of pediatric cancer patients and their mothers. Conclusions: As the study indicates that there is a definite relationship between the resilience of pediatric cancer patients and their mothers, it is vital to improve the condition of both the patient and his mother to augment the healing process.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.31-39
• /
• 2005

Purpose: This study was to identify the levels of functional status, depression, family support and their relationship among those variables in head and neck cancer patients. Method: The subjects were 100 patients with head and neck cancer patients who visited at outpatients clinic in one university hospital in Taegu. The instrument used for this study were Functional Status in Head & Neck Cancer - Self Report Scale developed by Baker(1995), Self-Rating Depression Scale by Zung(1965) and Family support assessment tool by Kang hyun-suk(1984). The data were analysed percentage, mean, t-test, ANOVA and pearson's corelation using SAS program. Result: There was significantly negative correlation between functional status and depression(r=-.71) and between depression and family support(r=-.56). The relationship of functional status and family support was significant as r= .33. Conclusion: It was found that functional status, depression and family support of head and neck cancer patient were closely related each other. Therefore it is necessary to design nursing intervention to enhance family support or decrease depression for improving quality of life in head and neck cancer patient.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.297-304
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This study was to identify the symptom severity, interference and their psychological predictors in thyroid cancer patients hospitalized for radioactive iodine administration. Methods: One hundred seventy-seven thyroid cancer patients admitted to the isolation room for Iodine ($I^{131}$) therapy were recruited. Subjects were asked to complete the questionnaire on core symptoms, thyroid cancer symptoms, interference, depression and state anxiety in the evening after receiving radioactive iodine therapy. Data was analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression with SPSS vs. 19. Results: Lack of appetite, drowsiness, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and nausea were the 5 most core symptoms. More than 20% of patients experienced moderate to severe thyroid cancer symptoms including feeling cold, hoarseness, swallowing difficulty, and feeling hot. More than 30% of subjects experienced moderate to severe interferences in mood, general activity, and 22% in walking. Depression and state anxiety were identified as predictors of core symptoms, thyroid symptom severity and interference. Conclusion: Nursing interventions to reduce the symptom severity and interference need to be developed by considering thyroid cancer patients' depression and anxiety when hospitalized in the isolation room for radioactive iodine administration.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.280-288
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in psychosocial adjustment between younger (age${\leq}50$) and older (age>50) breast cancer survivors, and to explore the role of sociodemographic and disease-related variables in predicting psychosocial adjustment between younger and older breast cancer survivors. Methods: A total of 262 women participated in this study. A self-reported questionnaire, the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self Report Korean version (PAIS-SR Korean version), was used. Data were analyzed with SAS/WIN 9.1 for descriptive statistics using the t-test, ANOVA, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: The psychosocial adjustment score of younger breast cancer survivors was significantly higher than that of older breast cancer survivors. Significant predictors influencing psychosocial adjustment in younger breast cancer survivors were marital state, menopausal cause, immune therapy, and self-help group, and these predictors account for 48% of the variance in psychosocial adjustment. Significant predictors influencing psychosocial adjustment in older breast cancer survivors were stage of cancer, monthly income, marital state, and menopausal cause. These predictors accounted for 35% of the variance in psychosocial adjustment. Conclusion: The findings indicate the importance of counseling and educational programs to improve the psychosocial adjustment according to breast cancer survivors' age.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.125-131
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This study was designed to examine the effects of horticultural therapy program on state-anxiety, fatigue and quality of life (QoL) of among women cancer survivors. Methods: Quasi-experimental study was used with a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Data were collected from February to June, 2009. Participants consisted of 40 women cancer survivors in community. The experimental group participated in horticultural therapy program once a week for 18 weeks. Data were analyzed with SPSS/WIN 18.0 program using ${\chi}^2$-test and t-test. Results: There were significant differences between the two groups in state-anxiety and QoL. Conclusion: The results of this study support that horticultural therapy program was effective in decreasing state-anxiety and improving QoL among women cancer survivors.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.331-338
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This descriptive study aimed to compare the perception of the acceptable foods for the neutropenic diet between nurses and patients by food type. Methods: The participants were 225 nurses working at chemotherapy wards and 71 patients in chemotherapy treatment. Data were collected with a self-administered questionnaire from January 2 to February 24, 2012, and analyzed with SPSS 12.0 program using descriptive statistics and the ${\chi}^2$-test. Results: Eighty-eight point eight percent of nurses and 76.1% of cancer patients thought the patients needed the neutropenic diets. The most important decisional criteria to determine dietary restriction was neutrophil count for nurses and food type for patients. The two groups showed significantly different allowance to raw fruits and raw vegetables, sterilized canned juice, fried vegetables, yogurt, uncooked tofu, salted fish, cooked fish, cooked shellfish, uncooked grain powder, jellified food, home-made bread/cookies, nuts including peanuts, instant coffee or tea and tea brewed. In general, patients were more permissive about the neutropenic diet than nurses. Conclusion: It is recommended to consider patients' preference as well as nurses' professional knowledge and publish standardized clinical diet guidelines for neutropenic patients with collaboration between nurses and patient representatives.