Symptom Distresses and Coping Strategies in Patients With Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand the correlation of symptom distresses and coping strategies of patients with lung cancer. Seventy-three patients with non-small cell lung cancer from the cancer center or ward in the two medical centers located in northern Taiwan participated. The instruments used in this study were the Symptom Distress Scale and Coping Strategies Scale. The results of the study showed that the degree of symptom distress during the therapeutic period was mild to moderate. When patients were confronted with symptom distress, they combined problem- and emotion-focused coping strategies. Participants with higher physical symptom distress had higher psychological distress and emotion-focused coping strategy frequency. It was also found that the distress of tension-anxiety and age explained 39.4% of variance in physical symptom distresses. The physical symptom distresses and the frequency of emotion-focused coping strategy frequency explained 48.8% of variance in the psychologic symptom distresses. Finally, it is recommend that a support group be established to enable sharing of experiences and emotional support among patients.

Managing Symptoms in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer During Radiotherapy: Results of a Psychoeducational Randomized Controlled Trial

“…30 The aim of the current intervention was to manage the three symptoms together (as a cluster), based on the symptoms' commonality in that stress could aggravate each one of them. 3,4,18,20 Patients were enabled to adopt adaptive behaviors to delay the intensification of symptoms through the following components: preparatory information; discussion of symptoms' experience; exploration of meanings of, and goals associated with, symptoms; advice on self-care strategies; and training and practice in progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) (see A Chinese audiotape and educational leaflets were provided to patients. Patients were encouraged to practice PMR daily and as required.…”

“…5,16 There are several studies that demonstrate correlations and similarities between breathlessness, fatigue and anxiety. [16][17][18] For instance, stress is identified as a common trigger for all these symptoms. 19 The episode of breathlessness, fatigue and anxiety usually begins with a trigger which is either physical or emotional stress.…”

“…19 The episode of breathlessness, fatigue and anxiety usually begins with a trigger which is either physical or emotional stress. 3,[16][17][18][19] Physical stress includes pain, labored breathing while emotional stress may include fear, worry, and anger.…”

Validation of a Swedish Version of the Cancer Dyspnea Scale

“…Coping strategies can be directed at the demands (problem-focused) or directed to the emotional reactions to the demands (emotion-focused). Patients with lung cancer used a combination of emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies when meeting symptom distress and increased the number of strategies when symptom distress increased (Kuo & Ma 2002). Relationships were found between self-reported depressive coping and survival in patients with lung cancer (Faller & Schmidt 2004).…”

Le vécu des femmes atteintes de cancer : résultats d’une étude phénoménologique exprimés par l’intermédiaire de la poésie

“…Quoique cette réussite apparente sur le plan des résultats liés au cancer soit la bienvenue, le fait de vivre plus longtemps et d'avoir davantage de choix sur le plan des traitements pose de nouveaux défis aux patients et au personnel soignant. La gestion du cancer et les soins de réadaptation peuvent mettre en jeu des interventions complexes et douloureuses survenant sur une longue période et entraînant fréquemment des effets secondaires et des complications désagréables et indésirables qui touchent tous les aspects de la vie (Hilton et Henderson, 2003;Kuo et Ma, 2002;Landmark et Wahl, 2002;Pasacreta, 1997;Rose-Ped et coll., 2002). Pelusi (2001) utilise la citation suivante d 'Izask et Medalie (1971) : « Quoiqu'ils revêtent une importance justifiée en eux-mêmes, les taux de survie ne couvrent qu'une portion du problème global.…”