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Biomedical subjects

Janice Post-White

Publications and source records attributed to Janice Post-White.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Evidence for symptom management in the child with cancer.

The use of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) has been well documented among children with cancer. This report summarizes the research evidence on the role of CAM therapies for prevention and treatment of the most commonly reported cancer-related symptoms and late effects among children with cancer. Small clinical trials document evidence of effectiveness for select therapies, such as acupuncture or ginger for nausea and vomiting, TRAUMEEL S for mucositis, and hypnosis and imagery for pain and anxiety. Several relatively small clinical trials of varying quality have been conducted on these CAM therapies in children with cancer. Some herbs have demonstrated efficacy in adults, but few studies of herbs have been conducted in children. Larger randomized clinical trials are warranted for each of these promising therapies. Until the evidence is more conclusive, the providers' role is to assess and document the child's use of CAM, critically evaluate the evidence or lack of evidence, balance the potential risks with possible benefits, and assist the family in their choices and decisions regarding use of CAM for their child with cancer.

Anxiety↗
PubMed2005

Complementary and alternative medicine in pediatric oncology.

OBJECTIVES: To summarize research in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies used for children with cancer and to explore issues and directions for measuring outcomes of CAM therapies in children. DATA SOURCES: Scientific and research articles, internet for active research studies. CONCLUSION: CAM is increasingly used as adjunctive cancer therapies in pediatrics. Mind-body and touch therapies have the greatest evidencefor effectiveness in reducing psychological and physical stressors. Supplements and herbal therapies receive the greatest interest, however, and more research is needed to determine efficacy in improving symptoms or outcomes in children with cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Mind-body and touch therapies can be used by nurses to reduce symptoms and anxiety in children. Potential risks and benefits should be determined for therapies that have no evidence.

Child↗
PubMed2005

Future direction of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) education and research.

OBJECTIVES: To identify key educational and scientific tasks for the incorporation of complementary and alternative medical therapies (CAM) into conventional health care. DATA SOURCES: Journal articles, government and special health report, book chapters, and curriculum guidebooks. CONCLUSION: Nursing education programs are rapidly adding curricula on the practice and research of CAM therapies. The next priority is to facilitate consistency and quality of educational programs by developing standards of practice and a core curriculum. Educational standards agreed upon by the nursing profession and set at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels will help guide the safe and effective integration of CAM into conventional health care. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Setting educational standards and developing consistent curricula for CAM will help students emerge from academic programs prepared for safe and effective practice and with skills to evaluate the effectiveness and participate in the research of CAM therapies.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMed2003

Therapeutic massage and healing touch improve symptoms in cancer.

Complementary therapies are increasingly used to reduce side effects of cancer treatment, without evidence for their effectiveness. In a randomized, prospective, 2-period, crossover intervention study, the authors tested the effects of therapeutic massage (MT) and healing touch (HT), in comparison to presence alone or standard care, in inducing relaxation and reducing symptoms in 230 subjects. MT and HT lowered blood pressure, respiratory rate (RR), and heart rate (HR). MT lowered anxiety and HT lowered fatigue, and both lowered total mood disturbance. Pain ratings were lower after MT and HT, with 4-week nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use less during MT. There were no effects on nausea. Presence reduced RR and HR but did not differ from standard care on any measure of pain, nausea, mood states, anxiety, or fatigue. MT and HT are more effective than presence alone or standard care in reducing pain, mood disturbance, and fatigue in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The spirit of oncology nursing care.

Cancer awakens the need to honour our spirit. The resiliency of the human spirit helps patients and families find strength and hope and move forward on their journey. As oncology nurses, we empower families by connecting with and sharing our own spirit, honouring and being present to their journey, and guiding them forward as they anticipate challenges ahead. Caring isn't about doing for, but being there and being the wind behind the sails. When we connect with our spirit, we stay open to the unfolding mystery of life. Allow mystery and discovery in your life to drive your spirit of caring and to remind you to look for the rainbows.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Complementary and alternative medicine in pediatric oncology.

Children with cancer and their families use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to reduce symptoms, cope with life-threatening illness, and improve overall well-being. Despite numerous published surveys on the use of CAM in pediatric oncology, few studies have tested CAM therapies for safety and efficacy. A growing body of literature in adult oncology provides evidence for the role of CAM to help manage symptoms and reduce distress. Translating this research to children requires studies with new models that address family roles and include measurement of outcomes relevant to children's developmental stages and unique responses. One of the limitations in pediatrics is the small samples available to single institutions. Conducting clinical trials through the cooperative group mechanism is one way of obtaining sufficient sample sizes to determine effectiveness and safety of CAM therapies. This article summarizes research to date and describes a beginning approach to measuring outcomes of supportive CAM therapies in children with cancer.

Affect↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Future directions of CAM research in pediatric oncology.

Children with cancer are using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to relieve symptoms, reduce side effects of treatment, and cope with the emotional aspects of having a life-threatening illness. Parental decisions about using CAM should be based on studies of efficacy and safety. Unfortunately, little evidence of efficacy is available for the majority of CAM therapies. This article discusses the methodological challenges to conducting CAM research in children and the evidence needed to support integrative medicine in pediatric oncology.

Child↗