Bradt, J., Dileo, C., Grocke, D., & Magill, L. (2011). Music interventions for improving psychological and physical outcomes in cancer patients. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 8, CD006911.
To examine the effects of music therapy and \"medical music\" on patients with cancer.
Music interventions appear to have beneficial effects regarding pain reduction and short-term reduction of anxiety.
Music therapy and listening to music may be helpful means of reducing anxiety and perceived pain, and these interventions can have an effect of moderate size. The effects may be relatively short-lived, and the evidence is somewhat weak in terms of study design. However, listening to music has no risks for patients, can be easy to implement, and is an intervention that patients can do themselves. Nurses can suggest that patients use this approach to help manage pain and anxiety.
Bradt, J., Goodill, S. W., & Dileo, C. (2011). Dance/movement therapy for improving psychological and physical outcomes in cancer patients. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD007103.
To compare the effects of dance/movement therapy to standard care and other interventions for patients with cancer.
Databases searched were Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, LILACS, Science Citation Index, CANCERLIT, International Bibliography of Theatre and Dance, ProQuest Digital Dissertations, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Current Controlled Trials National Research Register.
An extensive listing of specific search keywords per database was provided.
Studies were included in the review if they were
The exclusion criteria were not specified.
In total, 15 references were retrieved.
Criteria for quality evaluation from the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews was applied. Studies were deemed to be of very low quality.
One study examined the effect of movement therapy on fatigue. Analysis showed a stardardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] [0.14, 1.63]). No strong positive findings were found for body image in patients with breast cancer in mood or distress. One study showed a moderate significant effect on quality of life (SMD = 0.89; 95% CI [0.21, 1.57]).
Findings suggested that dance therapy may be beneficial in women with breast cancer to improve fatigue and quality of life. However, the quality of the evidence was very low, and only two small studies were found.
Exercise has been shown to be effective in reducing fatigue in several types of patients with cancer. Dance/movement therapy can be seen as another type of exercise that can be beneficial.
Bradt, J., Potvin, N., Kesslick, A., Shim, M., Radl, D., Schriver, E., . . . Komarnicky-Kocher, L.T. (2015). The impact of music therapy versus music medicine on psychological outcomes and pain in cancer patients: A mixed methods study. Supportive Care in Cancer, 23, 1261–1271.
To compare the effects of music therapy and music medicine on pain and psychological outcomes, and to explore relevant patient experiences
Patients were randomly assigned to receive either two music therapy or two music medicine interventions during a two-week timeframe. After two weeks, subjects were crossed over to the other intervention. Music therapy was provided by a certified therapist and included a brief discussion of patients' concerns followed by the provision of live music based on assessed needs. Participants were invited to play an instrument, participate in breathing exercises, and express thoughts and emotions. Music medicine involved providing music based on preferences. Patients were asked not to engage in any other activity during listening. A blinded assessor interviewed patients after each music session and after the final session. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed by two coders to identify reported benefits or harms from descriptions of the experience.
Single-blinded, randomized crossover trial
Anxiety was reduced by 15 points with music therapy and 12 points with music medicine (p < 0.0001). There was no difference between the two conditions. Pain was reduced by 0.9–1.1 points (p < 0.0005) with no difference between the groups. Common themes from the qualitative analysis were experiencing the music as relaxing, peaceful, and soothing, and many patients appreciated the playful nature of interactive therapy sessions.
Both music therapy and listening to preferred music were associated with reductions in pain and anxiety.
Listening to music was shown to be as effective as music therapy provided by a therapist to assist in reducing pain and anxiety. Although the degree of change shown here was small and this study had several limitations, listening to music is a low-risk and simple intervention that may be beneficial to patients. Nurses should consider employing this technique with patients in anxiety-producing situations and as part of pain management.
Bradt, J., Shim, M., & Goodill, S.W. (2015). Dance/movement therapy for improving psychological and physical outcomes in cancer patients. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015(1).
Two studies examined effects on depression. These were rated as having a very low quality of evidence using the GRADES system. The pooled effect of two studies showed no effect for depression. Two studies that reported anxiety showed no statistically significant effect on anxiety. Pooled results from two studies showed no support for an effect on fatigue. One study showed greater vigor with dance compared to standard care (SMD = 1.44, p = 0.0004). One study showed no significant effect for pain.
No conclusions could be drawn regarding effect of dance or movement therapy.
The quality of the evidence was very low, and two of the three trials showed a moderate risk of bias rating.
The findings of research regarding the effects of dance or movement therapy are inconclusive because of the few available studies of low quality. Additional, well-designed research to determine any potential benefits of dance versus other types of exercise and movement therapy is needed. The impact of movement as a creative art therapy is uncertain.
STUDY PURPOSE: To examine the effects of music therapy or music medicine interventions on psychological and physical outcomes in patients with cancer
STUDY TYPE: Systematic review
DATABASES USED: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 10), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, LILACS, Science Citation Index, CANCERLIT, MusicTherapyWorld.net, CAIRSS, and ProQuest Digital
KEYWORDS: Music therapy, cancer, and neoplasm
INCLUSION CRITERIA:
EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Not specified
TOTAL REFERENCES RETRIEVED: 773
EVALUATION METHOD AND COMMENTS ON LITERATURE USED: Study quality was assessed by the authors with a scale developed and described in this study.
Bradfield, S.M., Sandler, E., Geller, T., Tamura, R.N., & Krischer, J.P. (2015). Glutamic acid not beneficial for the prevention of vincristine neurotoxicity in children with cancer. Pediatric Blood and Cancer, 62, 1004–1010.
To determine if glutamic acid is an effective preventative therapy in children with vincristine-associated neurotoxicity
Before the first treatment of vincristine, patients were stratified into stratum 1 or stratum 2. Stratum 1 included patients with Wilms tumor or rhabdomyosarcoma who were to receive nine weeks of vincristine; stratum 2 included patients with acute lympoblastic leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma who were to receive four weeks of vincristine. Both groups were randomized to receive L-glutamic acid hydrochloride or placebo three times a day until seven days after week 4 or week 9 of vincristine. The placebo was administered in the same manner.
A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial
Patients who received glutamic acid did not have significantly less neurotoxicity symptoms compared to the placebo group. The subgroup of patients aged 13 years or older experienced more benefits from glutamic acid (0.28, p = 0.055) compared to patients younger than 13 years. Neurotoxicity rated less than 0.02 (p = 1) but was not statistically significant.
Glutamic acid is not considered an effective preventative treatment of neurotoxicities in preadolescents.
Glutamic acid is not recommended for the prevention of neurotoxicities in pediatric patients at this time.
Bracarda, S., Ruggeri, E.M., Monti, M., Merlano, M., D'Angelo, A., Ferrau, F., ... Sorafenib Working Group. (2012). Early detection, prevention, and management of cutaneous adverse events due to sorafenib: Recommendations from the Sorafenib Working Group. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 82, 378–386.
RESOURCE TYPE: Expert opinion
PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT: The SWG was a multidisciplinary team of experts in the field who were closely involved in the sorafenib clinical development program. The group was established with the objective of developing recommendations to allow the early detection, prevention, and management of cutaneous adverse events in everyday clinical practice.
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
The SWG aims to collect the experience of each clinician in order to develop detailed, practical guidelines for the prevention and management of dermatological adverse events associated with sorafenib.
For grade 1 HFSR on the hands, apply zinc oxide and magnesium silicate lenitive cream without Vaseline. For feet, wear comfortable shoes with a latex insole if possible. Wash with non-foaming cleansing creams, apply same cream as hands, and wear perspiring socks without seams. For grades 2–3 HFSR, aspirate fluid inside blister and then medicate with a PEG-based cicatrizing ointment. Avoid antibiotics. General erythema should be treated also with zinc oxide and magnesium silicate lenitive cream. For follicular rash, apply a cold compress of potassium permanganate 0.0125% solution followed by 2% sulfosalicylic cream without Vaseline. No antibiotics recommended.
Nurses should consider these recommendations, especially for HFSR. Certainly, the preventative measures are worthy. However, one also needs to be familiar with any trials using the products that are recommended from this expert group.
Boztug, H., Muhlegger, N., Potschger, U., Attarbaschi, A., Peters, C., Mann, G., & Dworzak, M. (2017). Antibiotic prophylaxis with teicoplanin on alternate days reduces rate of viridans sepsis and febrile neutropenia in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Annals of Hematology, 96, 99–106.
Report results from using prophylactic outpatient use of teicoplanin or vancomycin for hospitalized patients on febrile neutropenia and bacterial sepsis for cases from 2005–2015. Prior to 2008, no routine antibiotic prophylaxis was used and antibiotics for prophylaxis when used varied. In 2009, a regimen with teicoplanin 15–20 mg/kg IV was instituted, starting at the onset of severe neutropenia on alternate days until the absolute neutrophil count was more than 400/mcl. In hospitalized cases, vancomycin was used. All patients received Pneumocystis jirovecii and systemic antifungal prophylaxis. Colony-stimulating factors were not used.
Data were collected from retrospective chart review for the use of antibiotics and the incidence and severity of infection.
Retrospective cohort comparison
In 98 chemotherapy cycles with teicoplanin or vancomycin prophylaxis, no patients developed viridians sepsis compared to 12 cases of viridians sepsis in patients without prophylaxis (p < 0.0001). Episodes of febrile neutropenia were also fewer in the teicoplanin/vancomycin group (44% versus 82%, p < 0.0001). No appreciable rise in vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) incidence was observed since the regimen had begun.
The findings showed improved outcomes with antibiotic prophylaxis and no apparent rise in VRE isolates with the use of teicoplanin/vancomycin for prophylaxis.
The findings provide support for the benefit of antibiotic prophylaxis in general. Additional research is needed to determine the effects of routine vancomcin/teicoplanin use on the emergence of resistant organisms. Although no such increase was observed in this study, it has been identified in others.
Bozkurt, M., Palmer, L.J., & Guo, Y. (2016). Effectiveness of decongestive lymphatic therapy in patients with lymphedema resulting from breast cancer treatment regardless of previous lymphedema treatment. The Breast Journal, 23, 154–158.
To compare the effects of decongestive therapy in patients who did and did not receive previous treatment for lymphedema
Data were obtained retrospectively from medical records. Patient were grouped according to having received lymphedema treatment or not. Patients had undergoing assessment and 4–12 lymphedema treatments for four to six weeks. Consecutive patients referred for lymphedema treatment were included in the analysis. The intervention included MLD and compression, as well as teaching about good skin care, limb exercises, and deep breathing.
Retrospective cohort comparison
Both groups had a reduction in limb volume.
Complete decongestive therapy was effective in reducing lymphedema for both patients who had prior treatment for lymphedema and those who did not.
The findings add to the body of knowledge that complete decongestive therapy is effective in reducing lymphedema volume whether or not patients had undergone previous treatment for lymphedema.
Bozcuk, H., Artac, M., Kara, A., Ozdogan, M., Sualp, Y., Topcu, Z., . . . Savas, B. (2006). Does music exposure during chemotherapy improve quality of life in early breast cancer patients? A pilot study. Medical Science Monitor, 12, CR200–CR205.
Patients were exposed to the same kind of music played from a music set located within the chemotherapy unit while their chemotherapies were administered. Music included pieces from the album “Love Songs” by James Galway, distributed by BMG music, 2001 of which were instrumental pieces of international classical music. Patient outcomes were evaluated before and after a baseline cycle of chemotherapy and before and after a chemotherapy cycle with the musical intervention.
Outpatient clinics
This was a pilot study.
European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30)
The music intervention did not demonstrate improvement in fatigue outcomes.
Future studies may want to account for personal preferences of the patients for the type of music listened to during chemotherapy.