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Symptom cluster research: conceptual, design, measurement, and analysis issues.
Andrea M Barsevick1, Kyra Whitmer, Lillian M Nail
1Fox Chase Cancer Center, 510 Township Line Road, Cheltenham, PA 19012, USA. am_barsevick@fccc.edu
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
|January 31, 2006
Summary
This study reviews cancer symptom clusters, exploring their complex relationships and how to measure them. Understanding these symptom patterns can improve clinical assessment and interventions for oncology patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Symptom Science
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Cancer patients often experience multiple concurrent symptoms.
- The complex interrelationships among these symptoms and their antecedents/consequences are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the literature on cancer symptom clusters.
- To focus on conceptualization, design, measurement, and analytic issues in symptom cluster research.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cancer symptom cluster studies.
- Discussion of empirical testing, study design (sample selection, timing, interventions), and self-report measures (dimensions, scaling, time frame).
- Exploration of analytic approaches including factor analysis, cluster analysis, and path models.
Main Results:
- The investigation of symptom clustering is in an early empirical testing stage.
- Key decisions involve study design, symptom measurement, and data analysis strategies.
Conclusions:
- Studying oncology symptom clusters enhances understanding of symptom associations and interactions.
- Provides a scientific basis for improved clinical assessment and intervention strategies for cancer patients.