RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the effects of a psychoeducational intervention upon symptom control and quality of life (QoL) among cancer patients. METHODS: This was an open randomized clinical trial (RCT) conducted at the Cancer Institute of the State of São Paulo. The RCT comprised 107 outpatients in chemotherapy or radiation for malignant neoplasms. Participants were randomized to control group (usual treatment) or intervention group (IG) (psychoeducational intervention) with assessments at baseline and upon completion of the intervention. Sociodemographic information, clinical data, QoL, functionality, and symptoms were assessed. This trial is registered with the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry number RBR-9337nv. A mixed-effects model was applied to compare the effects of the intervention between the groups. RESULTS: The most frequent symptoms were fatigue (76.6%), insomnia (47.7%), pain (42.1%), and loss of appetite (37.4%). The symptom intensity analysis suggests that insomnia was the strongest symptom, followed by fatigue, loss of appetite, and pain. The IG experienced a significant improvement in terms of loss of appetite (P = 0.002) and a tendency toward less insomnia (P = 0.053). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention significantly reduced appetite loss in cancer patients. Despite no effects observed in global QoL or functionality, the intervention yielded a tendency to improve insomnia, and this outcome should be investigated in future studies.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the study is to assess the efficacy of the Permission, Limited information, Specific Suggestion, and sexual therapy (PLISSIT) model directly with breast cancer survivor (BCS) on sexual function and quality of life (QOL) domains. METHODS: A pilot control trial was conducted comparing the PLISSIT model intervention to usual care. The intervention was delivered by two health professionals (nurse and professional sexual therapist) consisted of five sessions on counseling, genitalia anatomy, human sexual response, and sexual function. Data were collected before and 3 months after the intervention using the Female Sexual Function Index and the World Health Organization QOL-BREF questionnaire. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 19 BCS (11 intervention, 8 controls) with a mean age of 54.5 8 years (standard deviation = 7.14) and the majority were married, Black or mixed Brazilian, received chemotherapy, radiation and/or hormonal therapy, and education varied from high school to college. There was significant improvement in physical health (P = 0.031), social relationships (P = 0.046), orgasm (P = 0.055), and pain (P = 0.049) over time and the intervention resulted in improved arousal (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the PLISSIT model may be an effective intervention for BCS in coping with and managing changes in sexuality and sexual function after treatment. It is important that nurses are aware of sexual intimacy concerns for BCS and integrate assessment into their nursing care.