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Biomedical subjects

M Hier

Publications and source records attributed to M Hier.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Results of a feasibility study for a psycho-educational intervention in head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: With survival rates for people with head and neck (H&N) cancers static during the past 30 years and the enormous burden of psychosocial impacts they suffer well documented, the testing of psychosocial interventions in this group is a priority. OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility of providing a psycho-educational intervention for people with H&N cancer. METHODOLOGY: A prospective non-randomised design was used. Subjects were patients with H&N cancer. They were offered the Nucare coping strategies program in one of three formats: small group and one-to-one formats with therapists; and a home format, with material for home use, without a therapist. Outcomes measures (quality of life (QOL) and anxiety and depression) were collected at baseline and following the intervention. Analyses were performed using non-parametric statistics. RESULTS: Of 128 people invited to participate, 66 agreed, 59 completed the intervention and 50 had outcomes data. Following the intervention, there were significant improvements in physical and social functioning and global QOL, and reduced fatigue, sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the intervention is desired by the target group, feasible to deliver after cancer therapy and may have some beneficial effects, although an appropriately designed study is required to confirm this.

Feasibility Studies↗

Teaching head and neck cancer patients coping strategies: results of a feasibility study.

To test the feasibility of providing a psycho-educational intervention for people with head and neck (H&N) cancer. A prospective non-randomized design was used. Subjects were patients with H&N cancer. They were offered the Nucare coping strategies program in one of three formats: small group and one-to-one formats with therapists; and a home format, with material for home use, without a therapist. Outcomes measures (quality of life (QOL) and anxiety and depression) were collected at baseline and following the intervention. Analyses were performed using non-parametric statistics. Of 128 people invited to participate, 66 agreed, 59 completed the intervention and 50 had outcomes data. Following the intervention, there were significant improvements in physical and social functioning and global QOL, and reduced fatigue, sleep disturbance and depressive symptoms. These data suggest that the intervention may have some beneficial effects, although an appropriately designed study is required to confirm this.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Pharyngo-cutaneous fistulas after total laryngectomy: incidence, etiology and outcome analysis.

A retrospective study of 126 patients who underwent total laryngectomy during a 10-year period was carried out. The incidence of post-laryngectomy pharyngo-cutaneous fistula was 19%. Pre-operative radiotherapy appears to be a risk factor when surgery is performed within three months of completion of radiotherapy. Intra-operative blood transfusion is strongly associated with fistula development. Fistula formation has an important effect on patient morbidity and mortality post-operatively. It remains a relatively frequent complication following total laryngectomy and may be able to be reduced in incidence if surgery is delayed post radiotherapy and blood transfusion is avoided whenever possible.

Adult↗

Can calcium antagonists affect the hemostatic mechanism and promote rebleeding? An experimental study.

Calcium antagonists are currently under investigation as potential beneficial drugs in the prevention of cerebral vasospasm. However, some calcium antagonists have the propensity to inhibit platelet aggregation. This study investigated the danger posed by the administration of calcium antagonists for recurrent hemorrhage in a simulated rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage. We found that verapamil, a calcium antagonist with antiplatelet activity, lowers clot resistance and may promote rebleeding.

Animals↗