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Copyright of Psicooncologia is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad del uso de biofeedback de variabilidad de frecuencia cardiaca (VFC) durante la radioterapia como método de distracción cognitiva y autoregulación emocional en un paciente pediátrico. Método: La paciente es una niña de 11 años con diagnóstico de sarcoma de Ewing en la pierna izquierda. Recibió 28 sesiones de radioterapia. Antes de iniciar tratamiento, se evaluó psicológicamente a la paciente con la entrevista Mini Kid, identificando que no tenía psicopatología. Dos semanas previas a iniciar, se evaluó la frecuencia cardiaca (FC) y variabilidad (VFC) de la misma (indicadores que han sido utilizados previamente como correlatos fisiológicos de estrés y relajación) con un software especializado llamado EmWave, identificando que sí presentaba activación fisiológica asociada a estrés. Se hizo entrenamiento en respiración diafragmática apoyado con el equipo de retroalimentación dos semanas previas a la radioterapia. El día que inició tratamiento, se volvió a evaluar la frecuencia y variabilidad antes de comenzar. Durante la radioterapia se instrumentó a la paciente al software y se permitió que ella escogiera el juego (que registra las variables de FC y VFC e interactúa conforme ella logra autoregulación fisiológica) y éste era proyectado en el techo de la sala mientras recibía la radiación. Resultados: Se identificaron cambios en la variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca, logrando una autoregulación, mostrando así que la paciente aprendió a relajarse y que lo puso en práctica durante la radioterapia. Conclusión: El uso del biofeedback es innovador en el tratamiento con radioterapia; permite al paciente integrar los dos métodos más utilizados como preparación para la misma: distraer el foco atencional y lograr una autoregulación. Se sugiere ampliar la muestra para conocer los efectos y generalizar los resultados.

Objective: Using an Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA), this paper examined a Radiotherapy and Oncological Patient and Non-patient perceived importance and performance of ten Humanization Volunteer Program selection factors in the General Hospital in Spain.Methods: The authors identified a list of seven items from the Health-marketing literature reviews, and each item was rated using a 5-point Likert scale. Responses were obtained of 148 usable interviews.Results: The importance-performance patient grid was corrected with literature recommendations and, in the patient sample, shows three items fall in the “Keep up the good work” quadrant, four items fall into the “Low priority” quadrant, zero items fall into the “Possible overkill” quadrant, and no items fall in the “Concentrate here” quadrant. Non-patient (n=80) factors means shows statistical differences with patient (n=68) means in catering (t=-2.38; df.=146; pConclusions: The results are useful in identifying areas for strategic focus to help Health Services managers develop humanization programs with volunteer workers and different program users. Implication to volunteer programs managers and researchers were discussed.

Copyright of Psicooncologia is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Often patients treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy suffer memory and attention problems. The exact mechanisms of action are unknown, although several explanations have been proposed. Both chemotherapy and radiotherapy have a direct toxic effect in the CNS, especially neural progenitor cells and the glia, which are responsible for maintaining neurogenesis in the hippocampus and white matter integrity. Besides the treatments can induce vascular damage in the brain, altering the immune response mediated by cytokines, and hormonal changes secondary to either chemotherapy or hormone therapy itself. The intensity of these effects would be modulated by several genetic factors that influence the ability of neuronal repair, pharmacodynamics and activity of neurotransmitters.

The increased survival of patients with low grade gliomas generated increased interest in the neurotoxic effects associated with treatment, especially radiotherapy. Currently, the radiotherapy is associated with visual memory failures in this population. On the contrary, some authors postulate that radiotherapy, as well as other treatments, helps control the disease and preserves the neuropsychological performance. However, methodological limitations of these studies and the difficulty in monitoring these patients could be causing this divergence in the results found in this research field. Therefore, we note the need for studies that use radiation therapy treatment techniques current, which increase safety and reduce neurological side effects, and apply appropriate questionnaires with a sensitivity to the neurotoxic effects of adjuvant treatments.

Objective: To review in databases the relevant literature of adherence to chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer; which bring high biological, psychological, social and cultural costs and have been related to lower adherence rates. Method: A search in different databases was performed to identify relevant articles related to the key words. Results: A significant percentage of patients do not adhere to cancer treatments and the consequences of not doing it can unleash in a major risk of death or disease progression, then it is essential to approach this topic and take into account different variables of biological, psychological and social impact on the behavior of adherence or not adherence to the treatments; including the side effects, motivation, decision-making ability, emotional condition, autonomy and life philosophy of each patient. This research contributes to the health staff have more elements to approach this problem and so his interventions are more effective being able to increase the patient´s adherence. Conclusions: Adherence is a multifactorial and multi-determined construct, which has been extensively studied in non cancer treatments (e.g. AIDS) and there is few investigation that supports the efficacy of the psychological interventions to approach not adherence and to promote the adherence to cancer treatments.

Among the last years the survivor’s number of childhood cancer has increased considerably, this has allowed to know the consequences resulting from the disease and its treatments. Several studies have prooved how the involvement of white and gray matter radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and tumor location, lead to various cognitive and behavioral sequelae in these children. The aim of this paper seeks to highlight the instruments and procedures used in the neuropsychological examination of children. Because deficits in children may not appear until several years, that increases the need for extensive neuropsychological studies and monitoring that reveal these consequences in short, medium and long term.

Introduction: There is limited knowledge about the influence on cognitive functions of the treatments for brain tumors based on radiotherapy (RT). Objective: To review the works conducted in recent years about the effects of RT on cognition in brain tumors. Method: Using EndNote software X5, articles containing “radiotherapy” and “cognition” in its title, keywords, abstracts or main text in the years 2009-2011 were extracted. Also, an extensive search through the references of articles taken was done. Those works that did not reflect the relationship between RT and the development of cognitive impairment or did not focus on brain tumors were disregarded. Results: 14 articles were selected: 7 originals, 6 reviews, and 1 opinion article. The findings focused on three aspects: a) cognitive impairment due to the RT, b) risk factors for cognitive impairment induced by RT c) time from the application of RT to the onset of cognitive impairment. Conclusions: The new studies confirm findings of recent decades, namely that the functions most commonly affected are attention, memory and learning, psychomotor and executive functions; that there are identifiable risk factors for cognitive impairment associated to RT; and that alterations in cognitive function after RT usually occur after a long period of time.

Los avances de las últimas décadas tanto en el diagnóstico como en tratamiento del cáncer han conseguido aumentar la supervivencia, lo que ha conllevado un aumento de las complicaciones neurológicas. Estas complicaciones pueden ser debidas tanto al propio cáncer como al tratamiento y en ocasiones son la primera manifestación de la enfermedad oncológica. Algunas de estas complicaciones son potencialmente reversibles por ello el diagnóstico precoz y su tratamiento correcto pueden mejorar los síntomas neurológicos y la calidad de vida de estos pacientes. En el presente artículo haremos una revisión de las principales complicaciones neurológicas del paciente con cáncer con una orientación diagnóstica y terapéutica.

Purpose: To design a Decision-making Aid within the ‘Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia’ healthcare process modelling of the Andalusian Public Health System (SSPA) for the therapeutic approach of early-stage disease. Methods: The Decision Aid design was conducted in four phases: 1) Explore the receptiveness of professionals in the mainstream of the SSPA Decision Aid “Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia” process; 2) Select a Decision Aid from international experiences; 3) Transcultural adaptation of above selected Decision Aid; 4) Decision Aid Validation in the SSPA. Results: The results of the validation of Decision Aid “Alternative treatment for prostate cancer: What option do I prefer?” have shown that the document is well taken by patients, their design is attractive and the quality of clinical information it contains is high. The instrument meets the concerns of patients (95%), the language is simple and suitable (92%) and summarizes the essential information to make the decision (92%). The Decision Aid offers relevant information that help the patient in the decision making process (lack of decisional confl ict: 88.93), generates a sense of support (92.82), concerning the decision (86.88) and a sense of availability of information (90.51). Conclusion: Patients and professionals agree to recommend the use of Decision Aid. To improve information and enhance the tranquillity of the patient, the Decision Aid facilitates communication doctor patient consultation and the involvement of patients during the decision-making process.

Purpose: Breast cancer is the first leading cancer-related cause of death among USA women. In Europe, breast cancer occurs as frequently as in the United States and thus we encounter this pathology on a regular basis in Oncology Services such as Radiation Oncology, General Surgery, Gynecology and Medical Oncology. Nevertheless, the number of services working with this kind of patients is increasing: Primary Health Care, Nutrition, Psycho-oncology, Rehabilitation centers, Pain Clinics and Nursing among others. Reviewing radiotherapy treatment indications shall bring this modality and its procedures closer to other medical specialties. Methods: Exposition of all clinical indications that might include radiotherapy treatment. Results: There is scientific evidence that proves that radiotherapy is needed in order to reduce locoregional risk of recurrence, which shall determine global survival. Conclusions: Breast cancer requires a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach for which radiotherapy is essential in the conservative treatment as well as in other cancer cases.

Copyright of Psicooncologia is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recientemente, las publicaciones populares y profesionales relacionadas con los cuidados de la salud han comenzado a expresar su interés acerca de Internet como recurso para obtener información médica y apoyo psicológico para aquellas personas diagnosticadas de diversas enfermedades. El presente artículo es una revisión sobre el impacto que la información obtenida a través de Internet ocasiona en el paciente sometido a radioterapia y la posible utilidad de las nuevas vías de información para proporcionar cuidados clínicos de soporte más individualizados. Presentamos un proyecto de estudio para evaluar la influencia de la información médica en Internet en el paciente y en el equipo asistencial.

Copyright of Psicooncologia is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psicooncologia is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psicooncologia is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psicooncologia is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psicooncologia is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psicooncologia is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psicooncologia is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)