Living with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a nested qualitative study.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a dose-limiting side-effect for patients undergoing a variety of chemotherapy regimens. These effects can have a detrimental impact on patients' quality of life and ability to perform everyday tasks.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the experience of living with CIPN prior to and while participating in a randomised study of acupuncture versus a control wait group.

Respiratory distress symptom intervention for non-pharmacological management of the lung cancer breathlessness-cough-fatigue symptom cluster: randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: In lung cancer, three prominent symptoms, such as breathlessness, cough and fatigue, are closely related with each other forming a 'respiratory distress symptom cluster'. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the respiratory distress symptom intervention (RDSI) for the management of this symptom cluster in people with lung cancer.

Methods: A single blind, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial conducted in eight centres in England, UK.

A randomised, pragmatic clinical trial of ACUpuncture plus standard care versus standard care alone FOr Chemotherapy Induced peripheral Neuropathy (ACUFOCIN).

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a dose limiting toxicity posing a major clinical challenge for managing patients receiving specific chemotherapy regimens (e.g., Taxanes).

Smoke-free hospital site conversations: how nurses can initiate change.

Smoking tobacco continues to be the world's most preventable cause of death and disability with over six trillion cigarettes sold each year. Patients, visitors and health professionals who smoke on hospital sites present a challenge to the effectiveness of public health messages. Health professionals who ignore 'No smoking' hospital/clinic signage, and avoid smoking-cessation activity, help to sustain the perception that smoking is tolerated.

Training in self-needling and performing it as part of a clinical trial: the practitioner and patient experience.

Objective: To explore the experience of training and performing self-needling from both the practitioners' and patients' perspective.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using focus groups and interviews, nested within our multi-site randomised controlled trial, Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Breast Cancer. Patients allocated to self-needling across two UK study sites and all therapists who were involved in the trial were invited to participate.

Legitimising fatigue after breast-cancer treatment.

This study aimed to explore the experience of women living with fatigue following chemotherapy for breast cancer. Six focus groups were conducted (n=40); all participants had taken part in a multi-site acupuncture trial. There were three to seven people per focus group.

Working out of the 'tool box': an exploratory study with complementary therapists in acute cancer care.

Aims: The aim of this research was to explore and capture complementary therapists' experiences of and preparation for working with patients in an acute cancer care setting.

Method: Semi structured interviews with therapists (n = 18) in an acute cancer hospital in the North West of England. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic coding.

Receiving or not receiving acupuncture in a trial: the experience of participants recovering from breast cancer treatment.

Objective: To explore the experience of breast cancer patients who either received acupuncture or were allocated to the control group.

Methods: Focus group/interviews nested within our multi-site randomised controlled trial. Participants were recruited from the standard care and experimental arm.

Smoking cessation dialogue and the complementary therapist: reluctance to engage?

Introduction: Our aim was to explore the experiences and views of complementary therapists (CT) regarding smoking cessation (SC) support within the oncology setting.

Methods: Two oncology sites participated in the North West of England. Three focus groups were conducted (n = 19) with resulting transcripts thematically analysed.

Reducing patient distress: a model for dementia care.

More than 750000 people in the UK have some form of dementia; with a rise expected over the next 25 years. With early diagnosis of cancer, more patients with dementia will attend for cancer treatment. Immobilisation masks, used to ensure accurate head and neck radiotherapy, may trigger panic in patients, even without prior mental health problems.

'Needle with ease': rapid stress management techniques.

For some patients, even looking at a needle is enough to make them feel anxious. Repeated cannulation for bloods and all other intravenous therapies, such as scans and chemotherapy treatment can become so frightening that they escalate to feeling overwhelmed and panicky. If this response persists without any intervention, it may eventually become a phobia (Choy et al, 2007).

Acupuncture for cancer-related fatigue in patients with breast cancer: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: We aimed to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture for cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in patients with breast cancer.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial comparing acupuncture with enhanced usual care. Three hundred two outpatients with breast cancer participated.

Providing therapies to the opposite sex: views of complementary therapists working in clinical and private practice settings.

Aim: The study explored the experiences of working with the opposite sex as a therapists in a cancer care centre (CCC).

Methodology: Therapists (n = 17) participated in three focus groups. Audiotapes were transcribed verbatim and analysed.

Take me to a clinical reflexologist: an exploratory survey.

Background: This paper reports the results of a questionnaire exploring the role, training and experience of a 'clinical reflexologist'. The sample (n=105) was delegates at a clinical reflexology conference held at a major cancer treatment centre in the North West of England.

Results: The majority of participants had completed diploma level training (n=73) and were female (n=99).

Clinical supervision and complementary therapists: an exploration of the rewards and challenges of cancer care.

Aim: The study explored the experiences of therapists working in cancer care settings and more specifically, the value of clinical supervision.

Methodology: Invitations for therapists to participate in three focus groups were sent to five cancer care settings. Each group responded to seven trigger questions, formulated from the literature review.

Medical students and acupuncture: a short sharp placement experience!

Background: Acupuncture and other complementary therapies (CTs) have become increasingly popular, with patients calling for more integrated care. It is questionable whether doctors know enough about these therapies to provide balanced and informed advice to patients and, given that most will come across patients accessing CTs, this is an area of concern.

Method: This was an exploratory study of 40 students attending a placement at a CT service within an acute hospital trust in the UK.

Complementary therapists' motivation to work in cancer/supportive and palliative care: a multi-centre case study.

Purpose: To uncover complementary therapists' motivation to work in cancer/supportive and palliative care.

Method: The study employed a multiple case-study design, involving three cancer/supportive and palliative care settings in the North West of England. A questionnaire survey (n=51) was undertaken, followed by semi-structured interviews with a subgroup of the sample (n=28).

Complementary therapists' training and cancer care: a multi-site study.

Purpose: To explore professional experience and training of complementary therapists working within cancer care.

Method: A Questionnaire survey of complementary therapists practising in three cancer care settings in North West England.

Results: Respondents (n=51; n=47 female; mean age 50 years, range 23-78 years) had varied career backgrounds; 24 were healthcare professionals who also practised as complementary therapists (nurse n=19; physiotherapist n=3; doctor n=2) whilst 27 were complementary therapists with no prior healthcare background.

What do people talk about during reflexology? Analysis of worries and concerns expressed during sessions for patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Our previous study evaluated the use of reflexology compared to progressive muscular relaxation in improving the psychological and physical profile associated with multiple sclerosis. In this paper audiotapes from the reflexology sessions have been analysed to give a picture of the nature of interaction between patients and therapists during treatment.

Methods: A crossover design with two groups was chosen.

Reflexology and progressive muscle relaxation training for people with multiple sclerosis: a crossover trial.

Purpose: To compare the effects of reflexology and progressive muscle relaxation training for people with multiple sclerosis, provided by nurse therapists, on psychological and physical outcomes.

Methods: A crossover design was chosen with a 4-week break between treatment phases. The Short Form 36 and General Health Questionnaire 28 were completed by patients (n=50) pre and post each of the 6-week treatment phases.

Chair massage for patients and carers: a pilot service in an outpatient setting of a cancer care hospital.

Purpose: To gather patient and carer evaluations of a 20 min chair massage treatment provided one afternoon a week in an outpatient waiting area.

Method: Information gathered over a year included documented evaluation of chair massage, pre- and post-treatment well-being scores (visual analogue scale).

Results: Both patients (n=224) and carers (n=185) positively evaluated the treatment.