Day surgery for breast cancer: effects of a psychoeducational telephone intervention on functional status and emotional distress.

Abstract

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES:

To determine the efficacy of a nursing intervention based on self-regulation theory known as the Attentional Focus and Symptom Management Intervention (AFSMI) in enhancing physical and emotional well-being in women who underwent day surgery for breast cancer.

DESIGN:

Randomized clinical block trial; subjects were randomly allocated to the experimental group (n = 61) or the usual care (control) group (n = 56). Subjects in the experimental group received the AFSMI during two phone sessions, at 3-4 days and 10-11 days after surgery.

SETTING:

The convenience sample was drawn from five regional centers located in different geographic areas (urban and rural regions) in Quebec, Canada.

SAMPLE:

117 patients with primary breast cancer who underwent day surgery as part of their initial treatment for cancer.

METHODS:

Data collection and nursing intervention via telephone interviews.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES:

Functional status and emotional distress.

FINDINGS:

Significant differences between the experimental and control group were found at post-test on home management, total mood disturbance, confusion, and tension scores.

CONCLUSIONS:

The AFSMI was effective in reducing emotional distress and enhancing physical functioning.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING:

Findings validate the use of the self-regulation model in designing individualized nursing interventions. Redirecting attention and focusing on concrete objective features hold potential in developing other innovative nursing interventions.

• Authors: Nicole C Allard
• Journal: Oncology nursing forum (Oncol Nurs Forum) Vol. 34 Issue 1 Pg. 133-41 (Jan 2007) ISSN: 1538-0688 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 17562640 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Topics

• Adult
• Ambulatory Surgical Procedures (nursing, psychology)
• Breast Neoplasms (nursing, psychology, surgery)
• Female
• Humans
• Interviews as Topic (methods)
• Middle Aged
• Patient Education as Topic (methods)
• Prospective Studies
• Quebec