Staff Training
Staff training involves education of individuals involved in delivery of care in various content and procedures. Staff training aimed at various aspects of care has been evaluated for its effect on patient outcomes in patients with cancer, such as prevention of infection. Staff training is necessary and recommended by various guidelines for infection prevention, but evidence suggests that training alone is not sufficient to improve outcomes.
Spiritual Interventions
Spiritual interventions are approaches that involve religious or existential aspects such as finding meaning and purpose in life. Spiritual interventions may include activities such as spiritual counseling, meaning-focused meditation, or psychotherapy. Religiously oriented spiritual interventions include activities such as prayer, worship, and religious rituals. Spiritual interventions have been studied for their effects on anxiety and depression among patients with cancer.
Soy
Soy, a plant in the pea family, has been common in Asian diets for thousands of years. It is found in modern American diets as a food or food additive. Soybeans, the high-protein seeds of the soy plant, contain isoflavones—compounds similar to the female hormone estrogen. Some studies suggest that soy isoflavone supplements may reduce hot flashes in women after menopause. The safety of long-term use of soy isoflavones has not been established. Soy has been studied as an intervention for hot flashes in patients with cancer.
Sound Wave and Vacuum Treatment
Sound wave and vacuum treatment consists of an electro-medical device that uses both electro-sound waves and vacuum mechanisms. The device generates low-frequency, low-intensity microcurrents, and electrodes generate vacuum action.
Sorbitol
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that has been used as a nonstimulant, osmotic-type laxative. Ingestion draws water into the bowel lumen by osmosis, stimulating bowel movement. Sorbitol has been evaluated in patients with cancer for the management of constipation.
Sodium Sucrose Octasulfate (Na SOS)
Sodium sucrose octasulfate is a chemical compound. A similar compound, aluminum sucrose octasulfate (sucralfate), has been used clinically for the prevention of gastrointestinal ulcers and was found to have cytoprotective effects. The sodium and aluminum compounds are contents of various cosmetics for skin care. Sodium sucrose octasulfate was evaluated in patients with cancer for the prevention and management of radiodermatitis.
Sodium Picosulfate
Picosulfate acts on nerves in the intestinal wall to increase muscle contractions. Sodium picosulfate is a stimulant laxative. This treatment has been examined in patients with cancer for constipation relief.
Sodium Bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate is a chemical compound that is mildly alkaline. It is also known as baking soda and bicarbonate of soda.
Skin Hygiene and Care
Skin hygiene and care refers to consistent skin cleaning with mild soaps and skin care, usually including moisturizers. Good skin hygiene and moisturizers are important for patients with lymphedema for prevention of skin breakdown or infection. In the past, in patients receiving radiotherapy, washing the skin and continuation of use of moisturizers or lotions on the skin in the radiation field was controversial. Effects of skin hygiene and care, such as moisturizers, was evaluated in patients with cancer related to lymphedema and radiodermatitis.
Skin Combination Protocols
Skin combination protocols are a combination of various interventions designed to prevent or treat skin toxicity in patients undergoing treatment for cancer. Protocols vary according to the intent to prevent or treat skin toxicities and include a combination of patient education, recommendations, and topical application of products or medications.