Rehab Centers: Virtual Reality Bringing a New Reality to Postthoracotomy Lung Cancer Patients via a Home-Based Exercise Intervention Targeting Fatigue While Undergoing Adjuvant Treatment.

Virtual Reality Bringing a New Reality to Postthoracotomy Lung Cancer Patients Via a Home-Based Exercise Intervention Targeting Fatigue While Undergoing Adjuvant Treatment.

Filed under: Rehab Centers

Cancer Nurs. 2013 Jan 23;
Hoffman AJ, Brintnall RA, Brown JK, von Eye A, Jones LW, Alderink G, Ritz-Holland D, Enter M, Patzelt LH, Vanotteren GM

BACKGROUND:: Little is known about rehabilitation for postthoracotomy non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. This research uses a perceived self-efficacy-enhancing light-intensity exercise intervention targeting a priority symptom, cancer-related fatigue (CRF), for postthoracotomy NSCLC patients. This article reports on phase II of a 2-phase study. Phase I focused on initiation and tolerance of exercise during the 6 weeks immediately after thoracotomy, whereas phase II addressed maintenance of exercise for an additional 10 weeks including participants initiating and completing chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. OBJECTIVE:: The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an exercise intervention for postthoracotomy NSCLC patients to include those initiating and completing adjuvant therapy. INTERVENTIONS/METHODS:: A single-arm design composed of 7 participants postthoracotomy for NSCLC performed light-intensity exercises using an efficacy-enhancing virtual-reality approach using the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus. RESULTS:: Despite most participants undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, participants adhered to the intervention at a rate of 88% with no adverse events while giving the intervention high acceptability scores on conclusion. Likewise, participants’ CRF scores improved from initiation through the conclusion of the intervention with perceived self-efficacy for walking at a light intensity continuously for 60 minutes, improving significantly upon conclusion over presurgery values. CONCLUSIONS:: Postthoracotomy NSCLC patients maintained exercise for an additional 10 weeks while undergoing adjuvant therapy showing rehabilitation potential because the exercise intervention was feasible, safe, well tolerated, and highly acceptable showing positive changes in CRF self-management. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:: A randomized controlled trial is needed to further investigate these relationships.
HubMed – rehab

Meeting Reality: Young Adult Cancer Survivors’ Experiences of Reentering Everyday Life After Cancer Treatment.

Filed under: Rehab Centers

Cancer Nurs. 2013 Jan 23;
Hauken MA, Larsen TM, Holsen I

BACKGROUND:: Cancer in young adults is rare, but the intensity of cancer treatment increases the risk of physical and psychosocial impacts on patients’ entire lives. Young adult survivors are underrepresented in research, and knowledge of cancer survivors in this age group is scarce, especially knowledge of transition from cancer treatment to everyday life. OBJECTIVE:: The objective of this study was to explore how young adult cancer survivors experience reentering everyday life after cancer treatment. METHODS:: A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used and included 20 young adult survivors (aged 24-35 years) with different cancer diagnoses allocated to a rehabilitation program. Semistructured interviews were conducted, and the transcripts were analyzed qualitatively using Systematic Text Condensation method. RESULTS:: “Meeting reality” was identified as a bridging theme, explained by 4 main themes important to the informants: (1) lack of preparation, (2) late effects, (3) lack of understanding, and (4) being neither sick nor healthy. CONCLUSIONS:: Informants were unprepared for reentering everyday life after cancer treatment and experienced a mismatch of their expectations with reality, particularly in the holistic impact of late effects. Moreover, reentering everyday life was characterized by a lack of understanding from their network and even healthcare providers who conducted follow-ups. The informants experienced reentering everyday life as being much harder than expected, and they felt isolated as well as neither sick nor healthy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:: The results suggest a major shortcoming in both preparation for survivorship, multidisciplinary follow-ups, and knowledge. A shift to a more holistic perspective in survivorship care is suggested.
HubMed – rehab

Head and Neck Injuries in Professional Soccer.

Filed under: Rehab Centers

Clin J Sport Med. 2013 Jan 23;
Nilsson M, Hägglund M, Ekstrand J, Waldén M

OBJECTIVE:: Investigate the rate of and risk factors for head and neck injury in male soccer. DESIGN:: Prospective cohort study. SETTING:: Professional soccer. PARTICIPANTS:: Twenty-six European teams between 2001/2002 and 2009/2010. ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS:: Simple and multiple risk factor analyses were evaluated using Cox regression for player-related variables and logistic regression for match-related variables. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:: Injury rate (number of time loss injuries per 1000 hours). RESULTS:: A total of 136 head and neck injuries were recorded (2.2% of all injuries). The head and neck injury rate was 0.17 (0.06 concussions) per 1000 hours. There was a 20-fold higher rate of head and neck injury during match play compared with training (rate ratio [RR]: 20.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.3-30.6) and a 78-fold higher rate of concussions (RR: 78.5; 95% CI: 24.4-252.5). Mean layoff for concussion was 10.5 days, but 27% of the concussed players returned to play within 5 days. Defender was the only significant player-related risk factor for head and neck injuries in the multiple analysis (RR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.0-3.1), whereas no significant variables were identified for concussions. CONCLUSIONS:: Head and neck injuries were relatively uncommon in professional soccer. Defender was the playing position most at risk. More than one-quarter of the concussed players returned to play before what is recommended in the consensus statements by the major sports governing bodies.
HubMed – rehab

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