Cited by 19Cancer survivorship and careCOVID-19 and Mental HealthNursing care and research

Screening supportive care needs, compliance with exercise program, quality of life, and anxiety level during the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Open access
Yildiz Kabak, Vesile, Atasavun Uysal, Songul, Duger, Tulin·2021·Supportive Care in Cancer

Abstract

Purpose The primary aim was to assess supportive care needs, compliance with home exercise program, quality of life level (QOL), and anxiety level during the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The secondary aim was to investigate demographic and medical factors associated with the recorded outcomes.Methods The present study included individuals treated with HSCT and previously referred to physical therapy. The data were collected by interviews with the participants on the phone. Supportive care needs were assessed using the Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form 29 TR. Compliance with the exercise program was recorded as the number of patients regularly performed strengthening and stretching exercises and the ratio of the walking duration to the recommended duration. The European Cancer Research and Treatment Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-Cancer30 was used to assess the QOL. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-I and the Visual Analogue Scale were used to assess anxiety level.Results The present study included 101 individuals treated with HSCT. The psychological and physical supportive care needs were predominant in participants. Compliance with exercise program was low. General anxiety level was low, yet anxiety about COVID-19 was moderate level in participants. Supportive care needs were related to female gender, performance level, time since HSCT, and QOL level (p ˂ 0.05). Anxiety level was correlated with supportive care needs, COVID-19-related anxiety, and QOL (p ˂ 0.05). Compliance with exercise program was associated with age, performance level, and QOL (p ˂ 0.05).Conclusion Our results offer that supportive telehealth interventions should be considered during the COVID-19 pandemic for individuals treated with HSCT to decrease unmet supportive care needs and isolation-related physical inactivity.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s00520-020-05965-1

Cites

50 of 50 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 12 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Supportive care needs were negatively correlated with time since HSCT.

    “a negative and low correlation was found between the SCNS-SF29 and time since HSCT (p ˂ 0.05).”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “As time since HSCT increased, patients’ supportive care needs decreased.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In HSCT patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, psychological and physical supportive care needs were the predominant needs.

    “The psychological and physical supportive care needs were predominant in participants.”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “An assessment of the unmet supportive care needs of the participants showed that psychological and physical needs were predominant in the present study.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Female HSCT patients had higher psychological supportive care needs than male patients.

    “their psychological supportive care need was significantly higher than males (p ˂ 0.05).”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “female participants had more supportive care needs in the psychological aspect than males”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Very few patients (8 of 60, 13.3%) reported regularly performing strengthening, endurance, or stretching exercises.

    “very few patients (n = 8, 13.3%) reported that they regularly performed strengthening, endurance, or stretching exercises.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    No significant difference was found in recorded variables including diagnosis, preparation regimen intensity, comorbidity, HSCT-related complication, marital status, occupational status, and educational level.

    “There was no other significant difference in terms of the recorded variables including diagnosis, the intensity of the preparation regimen, presence of comorbidity, HSCT-related complication, marital status, current occupational status, and educational level.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 12
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 7
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The most common supportive care needs were uncertainty about the future, fears about cancer spreading, worries about treatment results beyond control, inability to do previous activities, and anxiety.

    “The most common supportive care needs were uncertainty about the future, fears about the cancer spreading, worries about the results of treatment that are beyond their control, not being able to do things that they used to do, and anxiety in the participants.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    General anxiety was low, but COVID-19-related anxiety was moderate in HSCT patients during the pandemic.

    “General anxiety level was low, yet anxiety about COVID-19 was moderate level in participants.”
    • Also stated in: § Discussion · plain
      “While the anxiety level was not clinically serious, anxiety regarding COVID-19 was moderate in our study population.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Compliance with the home exercise program was negatively correlated with age, ECOG performance score, and QOL symptom score, and positively correlated with QOL functionality and general health.

    “Compliance with the home exercise program was negatively correlated with age, the ECOG performance score, and the EORTC QLQ-C30 symptom score, while it was positively correlated with the EORTC QLQ-C30 functionality and general health scores (p ˂ 0.05).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Supportive care needs were negatively correlated with QOL functionality and general health, and positively correlated with QOL symptom score.

    “The SCNS-SF29 score was moderately and negatively correlated with the EORTC QLQ-C30 functionality and general health scores, while it was positively correlated with the EORTC QLQ-C30 symptom score (p ˂ 0.05).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Female participants had lower functionality scores and higher symptom severity scores than male participants.

    “female participants had significantly lower functionality scores and higher symptom severity scores than males (p ˂ 0.05).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The STAI-I cutoff value is 39 points.

    “The cutoff value has been determined as 39 points for the STAI-I [29].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [29] Spielberger C, Gorsuch R, Lushene R, Vagg P, Jacobs GJC, USA (1983) Manual for the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) Consulting Psychologists Press: Palo Alto

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    Self-reported exercise adherence assessment can be invalid, and no valid and reliable measurement method exists for unsupervised exercise adherence.

    “According to the previous systematic review, self-reported exercise adherence assessment can be invalid; however, there exists no valid and reliable measurement method for unsupervised exercise adherence [50].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [50] Bollen JC, Dean SG, Siegert RJ, Howe TE, Goodwin VA (2014) A systematic review of measures of self-reported adherence to unsupervised home-based rehabilitation exercise programmes, and their psychometric properties. BMJ Open 4(6):e005044. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2014-005044 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Turkish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 is valid and reliable.

    “the Turkish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 was found to be valid and reliable [26, 27].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [26] Guzelant A, Goksel T, Ozkok S, Tasbakan S, Aysan T, Bottomley A (2004) The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30: an examination into the cultural validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the EORTC QLQ-C30. Eur J Cancer Care 13(2):135–144. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2354.2003.00435.x source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [27] Wintner LM, Sztankay M, Giesinger JM, Aaronson NK, Bottomley A, Velikova G, Verdonck-de Leeuw IM, van der Poll-Franse L, Grønvold M, Petersen MA (2016) Manual for the use of EORTC measures in daily clinical practice

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The SCNS-SF29 can be applied by phone interviews.

    “The survey can be applied by interviews with the individuals on the phone [22, 23].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [22] Özbayır T, Geçkil ÖS, Aslan A (2017) An adaptation of the short-form supportive care needs survey questionnaire (SCNS-SF 34) into Turkish. Eur J Breast Health 13(4):183–188. https://doi.org/10.5152/tjbh.2017.3266 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [23] McElduff P, Boyes A, Zucca A, Girgis AJNCfHR, Psycho-oncology (2004) Supportive care needs survey: a guide to administration, scoring and analysis

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Data were collected as self-report, which may make results conflicting.

    “since the data were collected as self-report, the results may be conflicting; e.g., patients could exaggerate, or they may experience difficulty in remembering activities.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    For the EORTC QLQ-C30, higher scores represent higher general health and functional scores, and higher scores indicate higher symptom severity.

    “Higher scores represent higher general health and functional scores. On the other hand, higher scores indicate higher symptom severity [25].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] Aaronson NK, Ahmedzai S, Bergman B, Bullinger M, Cull A, Duez NJ, Filiberti A, Flechtner H, Fleishman SB, de Haes JC et al (1993) The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30: a quality-of-life instrument for use in international clinical trials in oncology. J Natl Cancer Inst 85(5):365–376. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/85.5.365 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The ECOG scores range from 0 to 4, and higher scores indicate lower performance level.

    “The ECOG globally evaluates patients’ performance, and it is scored between 0 and 4 points. Higher scores indicate lower performance level [20].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [20] Azam F, Latif MF, Farooq A, Tirmazy SH, AlShahrani S, Bashir S, Bukhari N (2019) Performance status assessment by using ECOG (eastern cooperative oncology group) score for cancer patients by oncology healthcare professionals. Case Rep Oncol 12(3):728–736. https://doi.org/10.1159/000503095 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The SCNS-SF29 total score ranges from 29 to 145, and higher scores indicate higher supportive care need.

    “The SCNS-SF29 total score is ranging from 29 points to 145 points. Higher scores indicate a higher need for supportive care in that aspect.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [21] Boyes A, Girgis A, Lecathelinais C (2009) Brief assessment of adult cancer patients' perceived needs: development and validation of the 34-item supportive care needs survey (SCNS-SF34). J Eval Clin Pract 15(4):602–606. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2753.2008.01057.x source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The STAI-I has been adapted to Turkish and found valid and reliable.

    “The STAI-I has been adapted to the Turkish language and found valid and reliable [28].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [28] Le Compte WA, Oner NJC-ca (1976) Development of the Turkish edition of the State-trait anxiety inventory 1:51–67

      Not checked in the free run.

14 of 14
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The observed low exercise compliance and supportive care needs are attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic rather than to other factors.

    “Our results showed that patients treated with HSCT had lower compliance with the exercise program than the pre-pandemic times.”
    “there is no pre-pandemic data in which we could compare our results.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Self-reported exercise compliance accurately reflects actual exercise behavior.

    “since the data were collected as self-report, the results may be conflicting”
    “self-reported exercise adherence assessment can be invalid”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The previous study population is comparable enough to the present sample for comparing exercise compliance rates.

    “In our previous study conducted in a similar population in the same clinic, the number of patients reported doing regular exercise (56%) was higher than that found in the present study (13%) [39].”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The sample of HSCT patients previously referred to physical therapy is representative of HSCT patients during the pandemic.

    “Patients treated with HSCT and previously referred to physical therapy were included.”
4 of 4

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Many participants irrespective of age, cancer type, or treatment regimen expressed unmet needs related to psychological or emotional domains of well-being, including fear of contracting COVID-19 compounded by increased risk recognition leading to anxiety and distress, fear of the unknown long-term impact, and a positive association between fear of COVID-19 and increased psychological distress and

    “Many of the participants irrespective of age, cancer type, or treatment regimen expressed unmet needs related to psychological or emotional domains of well-being [19–21, 24–28].”

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Le Compte WA, Oner NJC-ca (1976) Development of the Turkish edition of the State-trait anxiety inventory 1:51–67

Cited by

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Authors
Yildiz Kabak, V., Atasavun Uysal, S., & Duger, T.
Venue
Supportive Care in Cancer
Published
2021-01-06
Volume
29
Issue
7
Pages
4065-4073
ISSN
  • 0941-4355 (ISSN-L)
  • 1433-7339
OpenAlex
W3120711916
Cited by
19
References
50
Citations by year
2024: 4 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 9
FWCI
1.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Supportive Care in Cancer (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Nursing care and research
Keywords
hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, supportive care needs, exercise adherence, home exercise program, quality of life, anxiety, COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth intervention, physical inactivity, psychological support, physical activity
MeSH terms
COVID-19, Adult, Aged, Anxiety, Combined Modality Therapy, Exercise Therapy, Female, Health Services Needs and Demand, Humans, Male, Mass Screening, Middle Aged, Monitoring, Physiologic, Palliative Care, Patient Compliance, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Turkey, Telemedicine, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Hematologic Neoplasms, Young Adult, Pandemics

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