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Biomedical subjects

H J Stam

Publications and source records attributed to H J Stam.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

The spontaneous regression of cancer. A review of cases from 1900 to 1987.

The literature on the spontaneous regression of cancer is reviewed from 1966 to 1987 to update reviews by Everson & Cole and by Boyd. These authors reviewed all cases of spontaneous regression from 1900 to 1965. We then report the entire series from 1900 to 1987. We also attempted to determine what attributions for spontaneous regressions have been reported. Although almost half of the authors failed to speculate or specify a possible cause for the spontaneous regression, the remainder postulated responsible factors such as immunological or endocrine, surgical, necrosis, infection, or operative trauma. The only unorthodox treatment to appear in the literature was the psychological. We conclude that the literature on the spontaneous regression of cancer is still unable to provide unambiguous accounts of the mechanisms operating to affect these regressions.

Epidemiology↗
PubMed1990

Psychosocial adjustment after laryngectomy: a review of the literature.

This paper reviews the literature on the psychosocial outcomes of a laryngectomy. The largest group of studies focuses on factors which contribute to esophageal speech acquisition, one important measure of rehabilitation outcome. Recently, the technique of tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) has implicated new directions for studying post-surgical speech recovery. Other studies have defined post-surgical adjustment in terms of quality of life or psychological state. Taken together, the research suggests that long-term adjustment for the laryngectomee is shaped by multiple variables, which include: (a) extent of surgery; (b) preoperative visits by a fellow laryngectomee; (c) illness variables; (d) changes in lifestyle following surgery; (e) patient satisfaction with social support; (f) chronic pain, and (g) ability to communicate. We conclude that psychosocial variables contribute substantially to successful post-surgical adjustment.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Ratings of cancer chemotherapy toxicity by oncologists, nurses, and pharmacists.

In order to examine the perceived toxicity of commonly used drug regimens for cancer chemotherapy, eight oncologists, twelve nurses, and five pharmacists rated the toxicity of 30 different drug combinations. Although the correlations revealed a high degree of agreement, the oncologists' ratings and the nurses' ratings differed systematically at the lower- and the higher-toxicity levels. This was most readily described by a "regression effect," wherein oncologists' ratings appear to regress toward the mean relative to the nurses' ratings. The perception of both toxicity and the importance of side effects such as nausea and vomiting may be substantially different between physicians and nurses, and hence, has important implications for how patients communicate these to the various health care professionals.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1989

Correction for gravity in isokinetic dynamometry of knee extensors in below knee amputees.

In isokinetic dynamometry of the knee extensors the influence of gravity on the lower limb is often neglected. The aim of this study was to assess the shape, the quantity and reproducibility of the gravity correction curve (GCC). Eight amputees participated in this study. The GCC was produced on an isokinetic dynamometer (QD) throughout the range of motion on the amputated side with prosthesis and on the non-amputated side. The results were compared with the GCC calculated according to the Cybex data reduction computer procedure. The isokinetic torque registration of the QD is, in a mathematical way, a straight line (Pearson correlation coefficient greater than 0.99). The other GCC is shaped like a cosinus curve. The intra-individual reproducibility is high, the inter-individual variability substantial. An explanation for the difference between the two methods is discussed. For an ideal measurement of the muscular torque, one should not only correct for the effect of gravity but for all factors counteracting the effect of the knee extensors. In that case an individual GCC should be made directly with the dynamometer.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

The treatment of severe insomnia in a cancer patient.

A 27-year-old man with severe insomnia secondary to cancer and chemotherapy was treated with a combination of somatic focusing and imagery training for five sessions. This led to a decrease in the latency of sleep onset and an increase in the duration of sleep which was maintained up to a 12-month follow-up. The utility of this treatment package is discussed with special reference to cancer patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

The treatment of temporomandibular joint syndrome through control of anxiety.

Following a negative experience with general anesthesia, a 20-yr-old woman developed anxiety and an inability to relax concomitant with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and pain syndrome. Systematic countering of anxiety by relaxation successfully removed her anxiety and led to a complete resolution of her symptoms. Follow-up at 16 months indicated maintenance of treatment gains and no recurrence of the symptoms during the previous 12 months.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Suffering for science: the effects of implicit social demands on response to experimentally induced pain.

In two experiments subjects rated their pain during baseline trials of cold pressor and finger pressure pain. After various instructional treatments, they were posttested with these same stimuli. As in previous studies, we found in both experiments that coping suggestions significantly reduced reported pain. Experiment 1, however, demonstrated that subjects often refrained from using available cognitive coping strategies to reduce pain unless they had been given explicit permission to do so. Experiment 2 replicated this finding and also showed that explicit permission to "do whatever you can to reduce pain" was as effective as a coping suggestion in decreasing reported pain. These findings indicate that subjects' interpretation of what is appropriate responding in the test situation determines how they choose to cope with the painful stimulation. Thus standard experimental procedures for assessing baseline levels of pain implicitly lead subjects to refrain from coping and thereby tend to underestimate their ability to control pain. Moreover, suggestions and other instructional techniques for coping with pain may produce much of their effect not by teaching subjects new coping skills but instead by giving them permission to use already available coping strategies.

Adolescent↗