Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Zeltzer

Publications and source records attributed to L Zeltzer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Function and quality-of-life of survivors of pelvic and lower extremity osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma: the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

Limb-sparing surgeries have been performed more frequently than amputation based on the belief that limb-sparing surgeries provide improved function and quality-of-life (QOL). However, this has not been extensively studied in the paediatric population, which has unique characteristics that have implications for function and QOL. Using the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study, 528 adult long-term survivors of pediatric lower extremity bone tumours, diagnosed between 1970 and 1986, were contacted and completed questionnaries assessing function and QOL. Survivors were an average of 21 years from diagnosis with an average age of 35 years. Overall they reported excellent function and QOL. Compared to those who had a limb-sparing procedure, amputees were not more likely to have lower function and QOL scores and self-perception of disability included general health status, lower educational attainment, older age and female gender. Findings from this study suggest that, over time, amputees do as well as those who underwent limb-sparing surgeries between 1970 and 1986. However, female gender, lower educational attainment and older current age appear to influence function, QOL and disability.

Adolescent↗

Pediatrics and psychology: a collaboration that works.

The growing relationship between pediatrics and psychology is described. Differences and similarities in training and orientation between psychologists and pediatricians are discussed, as well as three different models of collaboration. Pediatrician-psychologist collaboration can result in significant improvements in: comprehensive primary health care, treatment of psychosomatic disorders, and management of children suffering from a combination of medical, family, and adjustment problems. Research and health care legislation are two additional areas where collaboration between pediatrics and psychology is proving to be valuable.

Adolescent↗

Behavioral intervention for reducing chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting in adolescents with cancer.

Eight adolescents (10-17 years, mean 12.1) with cancer received behavioral intervention for chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting. Within 3-5 days after the administration of each course of chemotherapy, patients rated (1-10 scale; 1 = none, 10 = maximum) their nausea and vomiting and the extent to which chemotherapy bothered them and disrupted their daily routine. After a baseline (preintervention) assessment of 2-3 courses of chemotherapy, patients received intervention during another 2-3 courses. While no significant reduction of symptoms were found prior to intervention, with intervention there were reductions in nausea (Z = 2.37, p less than 0.02), vomiting (Z = 2.52, p less than 0.01), bother (Z = 2.24, p less than 0.02), and disruption of activities (Z = 2.38, p less than 0.02). This preliminary study suggests that chemotherapy side effects in adolescents can be reduced with behavioral intervention.

Adolescent↗

The effectiveness of behavioral intervention for reduction of nausea and vomiting in children and adolescents receiving chemotherapy.

Fifty-one children 6-17 years of age rated the severity of nausea, vomiting, and the extent to which chemotherapy bothered them during each course of chemotherapy. Sixteen patients had no symptoms and the doses administered to 16 others were not constant so that matched courses could not be assessed. After baseline measurement of two matched courses, the remaining 19 patients were randomized to receive hypnosis or supportive counseling during two more matched courses. An additional course with no intervention was assessed in half of the patients. No significant reduction of symptoms was demonstrated prior to intervention. However, intervention with both hypnosis and supportive counseling was associated with significant reductions in nausea, vomiting, and the extent to which these symptoms bothered patients (all p less than 0.001). Also, after termination of intervention, symptom ratings remained significantly lower than baseline. The data indicate that chemotherapy-related nausea and emesis in children can be reduced with behavioral intervention and that reductions are maintained after intervention has been discontinued.

Adolescent↗

Paradoxical effects of prophylactic phenothiazine antiemetics in children receiving chemotherapy.

The effectiveness of prophylactic phenothiazine antiemetics on reduction of nausea and vomiting was assessed for 23 children (age, 9-17 years) who had intermittently received antiemetics (ie, for one course but not for another). Each patient was his own control and the courses with antiemetics were compared to the matched courses without antiemetics (Wilcoxon matched-pairs, signed-ranks test). In each case, the matched courses with and without antiemetics were temporally consecutive and equivalent for chemotherapeutic agents and dosages. Significantly higher ratings for severity of nausea (P less than .004), vomiting (P less than .02), and the extent to which these symptoms bothered patients (P less than .001) were found during courses with prophylactic antiemetics. Duration (in hours) of nausea and vomiting was analyzed for the last eight consecutive study patients; in eight of eight patients, a significantly longer duration of nausea (P less than .05) and vomiting (P less than .02) was found for the courses in which antiemetics were given prophylactically. This study suggests that prophylactic phenothiazine antiemetics do not predictably reduce children's nausea and vomiting and may even be associated with an increase in symptoms. Further studies in children are needed to determine which patients might benefit most from antiemetic intervention.

Adolescent↗

Hypnosis for reduction of vomiting associated with chemotherapy and disease in adolescents with cancer.

Vomiting is often a major source of distress for adolescent oncology patients. This study evaluates the effectiveness of hypnosis in reducing the vomiting associated with chemotherapy and disease in 12 adolescents with cancer. Eight patients receiving chemotherapy demonstrated significant reductions in the frequency (p less than 0.01) and intensity (p less than 0.05) of emesis. Six of the eight patients also demonstrated a shortened duration of emesis. The ninth patient, whose vomiting was secondary to her brain tumor, showed a gradual but steady reduction in vomiting with eventual total elimination following hypnosis intervention. Three patients rejected hypnosis. Trait anxiety scores for the group were significantly lower at retest 6 months following hypnosis intervention (p less than 0.05). Significant changes in scores of health locus of control, impact of illness, or self-esteem were not found. These data support the efficacy of hypnosis for reducing vomiting when used in the context of a comprehensive clinical approach to the cancer patient.

Adolescent↗

Adolescents with cancer. Hypnosis for the reduction of the acute pain and anxiety associated with medical procedures.

Eighteen adolescents with cancer were trained in hypnosis to ameliorate the discomfort and anxiety associated with bone marrow aspirations, lumbar punctures, and chemotherapeutic injections. Two patients rejected hypnosis. The remaining 16 adolescents achieved significant reductions in multiple measures of distress after hypnosis training. Preintervention data showed no pattern of spontaneous remission or habituation, and, in fact, an increasing anticipatory anxiety was observed before hypnotic treatment. Group reductions in pain and anxiety were significant at levels ranging from p less than 0.02 to p less than 0.002 (two-tailed t-tests). Significant reductions were also found in Trait Anxiety. A non-significant trend toward greater self-esteem was present. The predicted changes in the Locus of Control and General Illness Impact were not found. Comparisons between hypnosis rejectors and successful users unusually showed higher levels of pretreatment anxiety in the former. The pragmatic nature of hypnosis as part of comprehensive medical care in oncology is noted.

Adolescent↗