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H Plant

Publications and source records attributed to H Plant.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Non-pharmacological intervention for breathlessness in lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of non-pharmacological intervention for breathlessness in lung cancer on breathlessness ratings and patient functioning. DESIGN: Randomised controlled pilot study. SETTING: A nurse led clinic in a specialist cancer centre. SUBJECTS: 20 patients with advanced small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. INTERVENTION: Weekly sessions with a nurse research practitioner over 3-6 weeks using counselling, breathing re-training, relaxation and teaching coping and adaptation strategies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual analogue scale ratings of breathlessness, distress caused by breathlessness, functional capacity, ability to perform activities of daily living and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: Improvements in median scores on all measures were observed in the intervention group with the exception of depression, compared with the control group where median scores were static or worsened. Distress from breathlessness was improved by a median of 53%, breathlessness at worst by 35% and functional capacity by 21%. In contrast, distress in the control group worsened by a median of 10%. Significant improvements compared with the control group were observed in breathlessness at best (p < 0.02), breathlessness at worst (p < 0.05), distress caused by breathlessness (p < 0.01), functional capacity (p < 0.02) and ability to perform activities of daily living (p < 0.03) but were not observed for anxiety or depression. CONCLUSION: Lung cancer patients suffering from breathlessness benefited from this rehabilitative approach to breathlessness management and strategies employed in this pilot study warrant further multicentre research. Macmillan nurses and palliative care teams are recommended to explore the potential of adopting similar approaches.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

A double blind placebo controlled trial of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in cancer cachexia.

Patients with breast cancer treated with MPA often report an improvement in appetite. Similar appetite stimulation is seen in patients treated with some corticosteroids, but MPA has a potential advantage over these drugs in that it does not exert a catabolic effect. MPA (100 mg tds orally) has therefore been compared with placebo in 60 patients with advanced malignant disease. Twenty-one patients in the MPA group and 20 in the placebo group were receiving chemotherapy. Patients were treated for 6 weeks and were assessed at weeks 0, 3 and 6 for appetite, energy, mood and pain using visual analogue scales. Nutritional status was assessed by the measurement of serum proteins and anthropometrics. Karnofsky score was recorded as a measure of performance status. There was a significant improvement in appetite in the MPA group between weeks 0 (pre-study) and 3 (P = 0.0002) and 0 and 6 (P = 0.015). There was no significant improvement in appetite in the placebo group. Supporting this finding was the significant increase in serum thyroid binding pre-albumin and retinol binding protein in the MPA group between weeks 0 and 3 and 0 and 6 (P = 0.023 and P = 0.039 respectively). These two parameters showed no significant change in the placebo group. There was no change in anthropometric measurements, weight, performance status, energy, mood or pain in either group. These data indicate that there was a significant increase in appetite in anorexic patients with advanced cancer treated with MPA which was reflected in increases in rapid turnover proteins reported to reflect nutritional status. However, this apparent increase in appetite did not result in improved weight, performance status, energy levels, mood or relief of pain. Further studies to investigate the effect of higher doses of MPA are indicated.

Appetite↗
PubMed1988

Who should measure quality of life, the doctor or the patient?

The extent to which a doctor or health professional can make a valid assessment of a patient's quality of life, anxiety and depression was investigated in a series of cancer patients. Doctors and patients filled out the same forms, viz. the Karnofsky, Spitzer, Linear Analogue Self Assessment Scales and a series of simple scales designed for this study, at the same time. Correlations between the two sets of scores were poor, suggesting that the doctors could not accurately determine what the patients felt. A further study examining the reproducibility of these scales demonstrated considerable variability in results between different doctors. It is concluded that if a reliable and consistent method of measuring quality of life in cancer patients is required, it must come from the patients themselves and not from their doctors and nurses.

Anxiety Disorders↗
PubMed1987

Oral protein and energy supplements in cancer patients.

Reduced food intake is a common problem in patients with malignant disease. Oral supplementation is the simplest and least invasive method of increasing the nutrient intake, and a number of neutral protein and energy supplements are available. This study was carried out to assess the value of these supplements when incorporated into the everyday diet of cancer patients. The first stage of the study evaluated the palatability of the energy and protein supplements available. Polycal was found to be the most acceptable energy supplement and Protifar the most acceptable protein supplement. These two products were then used to assess their contribution to the protein and energy intake of cancer patients when incorporated into everyday food. The rise in protein and energy intake was statistically significant but the increase in energy was not thought to be clinically important.

Dietary Carbohydrates↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Developing nursing research with people.

This paper explores issues surrounding the role and capacity of research to inform practice. Through a consideration of three research projects undertaken by cancer nurses, some questions concerning nurse-led research and practice development initiatives are raised. Philosophical tenets of collaborative inquiry and action research from the basis of the exploration, articulating the essence of the way in which the research endeavours described, were undertaken. It is an attempt at describing research that moves away from traditional approaches that have so often depersonalised those involved.

Health Services Research↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clearing the air.

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Clinical Nursing Research↗