Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To explore symptom clusters during proton beam therapy in patients with primary brain tumors and investigate associations among symptom clusters, demographic variables, and comorbidity in this patient population.
SAMPLE & SETTING: Data were collected from 187 adult patients with primary brain tumors during their treatment periods in the Skandion Clinic in Uppsala, Sweden. Symptoms were assessed with the Radiotherapy-Related Symptoms Assessment Scale, and comorbidity was evaluated with the Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire.
METHODS & VARIABLES: The study used a quantitative and longitudinal design. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the underlying structure of symptom clusters.
RESULTS: Three clusters were identified.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Building knowledge about how these symptoms interact and are clustered will support healthcare professionals to more efficiently relieve symptom clusters during proton beam therapy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 349-363 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Oncology Nursing Forum |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2019 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Swedish Standard Keywords
- Nursing (30305)
- Cancer and Oncology (30203)
Keywords
- brain tumor
- proton beam therapy
- radiation therapy
- symptom clusters
