Short summary

A randomised controlled study examining the result of daily arm training versus normal care for women receiving chemotheray for mammae cancer.

The primary outcome is level of pain at insertion of peripheral venous catheter (PVC).

Primary outcome:

Secondary outcomes:

Vein status, level of pain at daily activities, clinical symptoms of phlebitis and grip strength.

Rationale

Patients undergoing chemotherapy often have a peripheral venous catheter (PVC) inserted via ultrasound guidance by anesthesia nurses, as the patients have previously experienced many or difficult cannulation attempts, their veins are not visible in the desired PVC insertion area, or they have a "fear of needles"/ are afraid of the PVC insertion. Patients have asked if there are measures they can partake themselves to improve these problems. No studies examining the effect of arm traing in regard to level of pain at PVC insertion have been identified.

Description of the cohort

Women age 18 years and above with mammae cancer undergoing at least two rounds of chemotherapy, where the second round is particulary causes vein irritation. The participants will be included in the Oncology Outpatient clinic and PVCs insertion and data registration will be conducted in an anaesthesia nurse staffed outpatient clinic.

Data and biological material

Questionare data with patient characteristics:

age, height, weight, smkoing status, earlier number of PVC insertions via ulthra sound, numbers of chemotherapies, general health status, normal training practice (at baseline).

Level of pain in veins measured via Numeric rating Scale (NRS) at PVC insertion and at daliy activities, numbers of useable veins, status of veins, and grip strength (baseline, 1. and 2. follow-up).

Additionally, ten women (five from the control group and five from the intervention group will be interviewed at the end of their study participation about the experiences with vein issues during chemotherapy.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Anaesthesiology, Vejle Hospital

• Anaesthesia nurse Tina Kreilgaard
• Anaesthesia nurse Anne Gunnersen

Department of Oncology, Vejle Hospital, a part of Lillebaelt Hospital

• Clinical nurse specialist Agnete Kaltoft

Department of Physiotherapy, Vejle Hospital, a part of Lillebaelt Hospital

• Associate professor Kim Gordon Ingwersen