A Self-Administered Stress Management Intervention for Hispanic Patients Undergoing Cancer Chemotherapy

Abstract

This study evaluated whether a self-administered stress management training (SSMT) could improve quality of life (QOL) and reduce distress among Hispanics receiving chemotherapy across multiple community clinical settings. Participants were randomized to receive SSMT (n = 106) or usual care (UCO) (n = 113). The primary outcome-QOL (SF-36) and secondary outcomes depression (CES-D), and anxiety (STAI) were assessed longitudinally over four chemotherapy cycles. Acculturation (BAS) and patients' intervention adherence were assessed. About 63% of participants reported distress after the initial chemotherapy cycle. Hispanics with lower acculturation reported greater STAI-Trait scores (p = .003). No significant treatment effects on outcomes measures were observed for participants receiving SSMT. SSMT intervention techniques were reported useful and improved mental health scores were observed with patients on a psychotropic agent (p = .04). Hispanics experience an elevated level of distress, yet SSMT did not significantly improve primary outcomes. SSMT may be potentially effective when combined with a psychotropic agent. SSMT enhancing strategies are discussed.

Exploring a rural Latino community’s perception of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…In addition, participants relied on positive thinking as a means to protect themselves from infection. The power of positive thinking in health outcomes among Latinos has been identified in other research (Cobb, Xie, and Sanders 2016;Carrion et al 2017;Loi et al 2017), and those in our sample noted that their ability to remain positive was keeping them healthy. Other research suggests that in times of uncertainty or crisis, positive thinking is a method employed by Latinos to engender a sense of control over the outcome (Carrion et al 2017;Chipperfield et al 2012).…”

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of psychosocial interventions for immigrant and limited English proficient cancer patients

“… c Twenty six studies did not report foreign‐born status and were not included 34–36,38–45,47,48,51–63 …”

“… e Sixteen studies did not report refusal rates and were not included 34–36,40,45,50,51,53,54,56,57,63–67 …”

“…Of the 29 studies that provided information on recruitment, 37–39,41–44,46–49,52,55,58–62,68–73,75–79 the mean refusal rate was 27.5% (range 3.7%–70.0%). Of the 39 studies that provided information on attrition, 35–39,41–49,51–55,57–59,61–64,66,67,69–73,75–79 the mean attrition rate was 20.6% at final follow‐up (range 0.0%–64.9%).…”

“…Of the 45 studies under review, 31 were RCTs,attrition, 35,38–44,46–53,58,59,61,62,64,66,68–71,73,75,76,78,79 13 were pre‐post single‐arm trials, 34,36,45,54–57,60,63,65,67,72,77 and one was a nonrandomized trial 37 . Follow‐up periods ranged from immediately post‐intervention to 24 months.…”