Fernanda Machado Silva-Rodrigues

Coping Strategies Used by Hospitalized Children with Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy

PURPOSE To analyze coping strategies used by children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy during hospitalization. DESIGN AND METHODS This was an exploratory study to analyze qualitative data using an inductive thematic analysis. Semistructured interviews using puppets were conducted with 10 children with cancer, between 7 and 12 years old, who were hospitalized and undergoing chemotherapy. FINDINGS The coping strategies to deal with chemotherapy were: understanding the need for chemotherapy; finding relief for the chemotherapys side effects and pain; seeking pleasure in nourishment; engaging in entertaining activities and having fun; keeping the hope of cure alive; and finding support in religion. CONCLUSIONS Children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy need to cope with hospitalizations, pain, medication side effects, idle time, and uncertainty regarding the success of treatment. These challenges motivated children to develop their own coping strategies, which were effective while undergoing chemotherapy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE By gaining knowledge and further understanding about valid coping strategies during chemotherapy treatment, health professionals can mobilize personal and material resources from the children, health teams, and institutions aiming to potentiate the use of these strategies to make treatments the least traumatic.

Puppets as a strategy for communication with Brazilian children with cancer.

Children are considered competent social actors. Although they are able to express their opinions, they may have some difficulties in answering direct verbal questions, requiring researchers and health professionals to enter their world by using auxiliary resources for communication. This study presents the experience of using finger puppets as a playful strategy for improving interaction and communication with hospitalized children with cancer, aged seven to 12. It describes the strategy of making and using puppets as an auxiliary tool to communicate with children with cancer and presents the results and limitations of using puppets in clinical practice. The use of the puppets, creatively and in accordance with the childrens motor, cognitive, and emotional development, showed benefits, such as allowing the children to freely express themselves; respecting their autonomy; and minimizing the hierarchical adult-child relationship. The use of puppets is an appropriate strategy to communicate with hospitalized children. This tool can also enrich clinical practice, as it encourages children with cancer to report their experience of being ill and also helps the health team during evaluation and intervention.

The Effect of Music on the Spirituality of Patients: A Systematic Review:

Purpose: Although some studies have suggested that music can positively affect physical and psychological variables, few have evaluated its effects on spirituality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of musical interventions on the spirituality of patients, regardless of diagnoses. Method: This was a systematic literature review that followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations conducted through a relevant search of terms in six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and LILACS) without temporal delimitation. Experimental or quasi-experimental studies were included, involving participants regardless of diagnoses, to assess the effect of music on spirituality, either through musical intervention as music medicine or through music therapy. The methodological quality of included studies was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Results: A total of 147 studies were identified; 7 met the inclusion criteria. Five studies were randomized controlled trials involving six music therapists leading the musical intervention with the active participation of patients. The interventions used were heterogeneous. Three studies were associated with improved spirituality after the intervention. Four studies used measurements to evaluate spiritual well-being. Conclusion: This review did not allow ascertaining the positive impact of music intervention on spirituality in patients, which motivates further research.

Interventions minimizing fatigue in children/adolescents with cancer: An integrative review:

Fatigue is among the most common, debilitating, and distressing symptoms associated with chronic condition in pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to identify non-pharmacological fatigue interventions in children and adolescents with cancer. For this, we carried out an integrative review of the literature from January 2000 to December 2016. A comprehensive search of four databases was conducted: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Psychology Information, Medline via PubMed, and Web of Science. Randomized controlled trial, quasi-experimental, case-control and cohort studies were included in this review. Thirteen relevant studies were included for analysis. Seven papers reported positive outcomes for exercise, exercise plus leisure activities, healing touch and acupressure. In another six papers using exercise, exercise plus psychological intervention and massage, no effectiveness was found. Effective management of fatigue in children and adolescents is important but research in this area is limited, so the results of this review should be interpreted cautiously. Future researchers are encouraged to test the effective interventions in homogenous cancer populations and in other groups where fatigue is a common concern.

O ALÍVIO DA DOR ONCOLÓGICA: ESTRATÉGIAS CONTADAS POR ADOLESCENTES COM CÂNCER

Ante el impacto negativo del dolor en la calidad de vida del paciente oncologico, identificar y estimular el uso de estrategias eficaces para minimizar esas sensaciones dolorosas es muy relevante para el cuidado. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar experiencias dolorosas de adolescentes con cancer y conocer sus estrategias para aliviar el dolor. Estudio exploratorio con analisis cualitativo de los datos. Fueron realizadas entrevistas semiestructuradas con nueve adolescentes con cancer, que relataron experiencias dolorosas agudas, recurrentes y cronicas, fisicas y emocionales. Para aliviar esos dolores, describieron estrategias farmacologicas y no farmacologicas, tales como: distraccion; presencia de familiares, posicionamiento en el lecho, colaboracion para efectuar procedimientos y mantenimiento de pensamiento positivo. Asi, es fundamental que los profesionales de salud conozcan las evidencias disponibles para el alivio del dolor y desarrollen habilidades para articular ese conocimiento a su experiencia profesional, asi como estrategias de los propios pacientes

El alivio del dolor oncológico: estrategias contadas por adolescentes con cáncer

Ante el impacto negativo del dolor en la calidad de vida del paciente oncologico, identificar y estimular el uso de estrategias eficaces para minimizar esas sensaciones dolorosas es muy relevante para el cuidado. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar experiencias dolorosas de adolescentes con cancer y conocer sus estrategias para aliviar el dolor. Estudio exploratorio con analisis cualitativo de los datos. Fueron realizadas entrevistas semiestructuradas con nueve adolescentes con cancer, que relataron experiencias dolorosas agudas, recurrentes y cronicas, fisicas y emocionales. Para aliviar esos dolores, describieron estrategias farmacologicas y no farmacologicas, tales como: distraccion; presencia de familiares, posicionamiento en el lecho, colaboracion para efectuar procedimientos y mantenimiento de pensamiento positivo. Asi, es fundamental que los profesionales de salud conozcan las evidencias disponibles para el alivio del dolor y desarrollen habilidades para articular ese conocimiento a su experiencia profesional, asi como estrategias de los propios pacientes

Oncologic pain relief: strategies told by adolescents with cancer

Ante el impacto negativo del dolor en la calidad de vida del paciente oncologico, identificar y estimular el uso de estrategias eficaces para minimizar esas sensaciones dolorosas es muy relevante para el cuidado. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar experiencias dolorosas de adolescentes con cancer y conocer sus estrategias para aliviar el dolor. Estudio exploratorio con analisis cualitativo de los datos. Fueron realizadas entrevistas semiestructuradas con nueve adolescentes con cancer, que relataron experiencias dolorosas agudas, recurrentes y cronicas, fisicas y emocionales. Para aliviar esos dolores, describieron estrategias farmacologicas y no farmacologicas, tales como: distraccion; presencia de familiares, posicionamiento en el lecho, colaboracion para efectuar procedimientos y mantenimiento de pensamiento positivo. Asi, es fundamental que los profesionales de salud conozcan las evidencias disponibles para el alivio del dolor y desarrollen habilidades para articular ese conocimiento a su experiencia profesional, asi como estrategias de los propios pacientes