Somnolence syndrome in patients receiving radical radiotherapy for primary brain tumours: A prospective study

Powell, Cerri; Guerrero, D.; Sardell, S.; Cumins, Sebastian; Wharram, B.; Traish, D.; Gonsalves, A.; Ashley, S.; Brada, Michael

doi:10.1016/j.radonc.2011.06.028

Cited by 64 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…7-14 However, only two studies have been done in adult population prior to the present study. While Faithfull and Brada 15 have also used VAS and LSS scale, Cerri Powell et al, 3 have used Fatigue and Quality of life scales in addition.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The exact duration for which these symptoms would have persisted could not be appreciated. The study by Cerri Powell et al, 3 also showed that SS peaked six to eight weeks following irradiation and resolved four to six weeks later.…”

Section: Assessment For Somnolence -Vasmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…2 Various subjective and objective methods of assessing somnolence have been described. Subjective methods include Visual Analog Scales (VAS) 3 and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. 4 Objectively, a physician rated scale, the Littman Somnolence Syndrome (LSS) scale has been used.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] There are very few reports of its occurrence in adults. 3,15,16 This study was undertaken to objectively and subjectively analyze the incidence, clinical presentation and severity of SS in adults receiving cranial irradiation for primary and metastatic brain tumors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comprehensive assessment of Somnolence Syndrome in patients undergoing radiation to the brain

Harjani

Gururajachar

Krishnaswamy

2016

Reports of Practical Oncology & Radiotherapy

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Assessment For Somnolence -Vasmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Comprehensive assessment of Somnolence Syndrome in patients undergoing radiation to the brain

Harjani

Gururajachar

Krishnaswamy

2016

Reports of Practical Oncology & Radiotherapy

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“…Commonly, general symptom assessment and ranking on visual analog scale are undertaken to study this syndrome. 2,3 Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is an instrument to measure day time sleepiness and is a useful tool to diagnose sleep disturbances. 4 On the basis of scores obtained, propensity to sleep can be categorized and this can potentially help to quantify somnolence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epworth Sleepiness Scale- a novel tool to assess somnolence syndrome in patients receiving radiotherapy to the brain

Harjani

Janaki

Maheshwari

et al. 2014

Int J Cancer Ther Oncol

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Purpose: Radiation to brain causes early, early-delayed, and delayed side effects. There is paucity of literature regarding early-delayed effects like somnolence syndrome. Existing studies use general symptom assessment and visual analog scales. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a time tested tool to assess daytime sleepiness in various conditions. In this study, the ESS has been used to determine the occurrence of somnolence in patients receiving cranial radiotherapy for primary and metastatic brain tumors. Thus the ESS has been used in a novel setting in our study. The ESS is a simple to administer questionnaire and may be useful in grading the severity of somnolence. To our knowledge, this is the second study to determine post radiation somnolence using ESS. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in 23 patients with primary and metastatic brain tumor. Patient demographics and tumor type and grade was noted. Those with Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) less than 70 and with pre-existing sleep disorders were excluded. Radiotherapy regimen included palliative whole brain radiation for brain metastases and conformal adjuvant radiotherapy for primary brain tumors as per standard guidelines. All subjects included were administered ESS at baseline and weekly thereafter during and for 6 weeks after radiation. Results: All 23 patients (median age 50 years) completed the planned questionnaires until 6 weeks post radiation. Twenty (87%) patients had primary brain tumors whereas three (13%) patients had metastatic lesions in brain. Of the 23 patients, 14 patients (60.86%) had abnormal or increased daytime sleepiness; of which 3 had ESS scores greater than 16. Conclusion: Somnolence was noted in 60.86% of the patients, which is in accordance with existing literature. Epworth sleepiness scale is an effective tool to detect and quantify somnolence, However, it does not consider other symptoms of somnolence syndrome and hence should be combined with visual analog scale to get complete information.

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Symptom management in adult brain tumours: A literature review

et al. 2023

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Aim To review the literature related to symptom management, clinical significance and related theoretical framework systems in adult patients with brain tumours. Background As understanding of symptoms or symptom clusters and underlying biologic mechanisms has grown, it is apparent that symptom science is moving forward. Although some progress has been made in the symptom science of solid tumours such as breast and lung neoplasms, insufficient attention has been paid to symptom management for patients suffering from brain tumours. Further research is needed to achieve effective symptom management for these patients. Design A literature review with a systematic search of symptom management in adult brain tumours. Methods Electronic data bases were searched to obtain relevant published literature on symptom management in adults with brain tumours. This was then analysed and a synthesis of relevant findings is presented. Findings Four significant general themes relating to symptom management of brain tumours in adults were identified: (1) The potential theoretical foundation related to symptom management was revealed. (2) Widely accepted validated scales or questionnaires for the assessment of single symptoms or symptom clusters were recommended. (3) Several symptom clusters and the underlying biologic mechanisms have been reported. (4) Specific symptom interventions for adults with brain tumours were collected and classified as evidence‐based or insufficient evidence. Conclusion There are still many challenges in the effective management of symptoms in adults with brain tumours. The guiding role of theoretical frameworks or models related to symptom management should be utilized in future research. Using the concept of symptom clustering for research into symptoms found in patients with brain tumours, exploring common biological mechanisms for specific symptom clusters and making full use of modern big data resources to build a strong evidence base for an effective intervention or management program may inform the management of symptoms among these patients leading to better results. No Patient or Public Contribution This is a literature review. Implications for Symptom Management The ultimate goal is obviously not only improving the survival rate of patients with brain tumours, but also enhancing their quality of life. Several important findings from our review include the theoretical foundations, validated assessment tools, the assessment of symptom clusters and the underlying biologic mechanism, and the identification of the evidence base for symptom interventions. These are of relevance for managers, researchers and practitioners and may function as a reference to help the effective symptom management for adults with brain tumours.

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Somnolence syndrome in patients receiving radical radiotherapy for primary brain tumours: A prospective study

Cited by 64 publications

References 16 publications

Comprehensive assessment of Somnolence Syndrome in patients undergoing radiation to the brain

Comprehensive assessment of Somnolence Syndrome in patients undergoing radiation to the brain

Epworth Sleepiness Scale- a novel tool to assess somnolence syndrome in patients receiving radiotherapy to the brain

Symptom management in adult brain tumours: A literature review

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