Integrated or Collaborative Behavioral Health Care Model
An integrated or collaborative behavioral healthcare model involves the incorporation of intensive psychological patient assessment and management into routine cancer care. This care model is delivered through a multidisciplinary team approach, which includes mental health professionals, or through the provision of psychological assessment and care by trained nurses working under the supervision of a psychiatrist. In this type of model, mental healthcare providers work in direct collaboration with the patient's oncology team and primary physician.
Institutional Initiatives
Institutional initiatives are interventions done by an organization to facilitate uptake and implementation of new knowledge by healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers to improve care. Interventions include provision of education and distribution of printed materials, and may include development of organizational protocols, procedures, and activities to standardize care. Institutional interventions were evaluated in terms of effect on chronic pain and prevention of infection in patients with cancer.
Inspiratory Muscle Training
Inspiratory muscle training involves inhalation against a consistent resistance to build muscles used for inspiration for increased strength and endurance. The use of inspiratory muscle training was studied for its effect on dyspnea in patients with cancer. The patients used a device for breathing with a one-way valve that provided resistance when they inhaled through the device. They did this 15 minutes twice daily, five days a week.
Infrared Phototherapy
Near infrared or infrared phototherapy involves the application of near infrared wavelength light. This approach was studied for its effect on oral mucositis in patients with cancer.
Influenza Vaccination
Influenza vaccination is the provision of annual vaccine against influenza with inactivated influenza virus. Several organizations have published guidelines on vaccination of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients (see Center for Disease Control and the European Bone Marrow Transplant Group), and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines provide general principles regarding vaccination use in patients with cancer. Live attenuated vaccines have the potential to cause disease in compromised patients, however other vaccines are safe.
Infliximab
Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody that can counter tumor necrosis factor. Infliximab has been used to treat autoimmune diseases. Researchers have studied the effect of infliximab on depression in patients with cancer, because some depressed patients have an elevated level of inflammatory cytokines.
Individual Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy involves a variety of approaches to structured therapeutic interaction, between a trained professional and a client, that address problems that are psychological in nature. Individual psychotherapy involves provision of therapy to a single individual in a private setting.
Indigowood Root
Isatis indigotica Fort. (indigowood) is a medicinal plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family. Its root is a commonly used Chinese herb to remove toxic heat, to reduce heat in blood, and to relieve convulsions. According to modern medical research, the major components of radix of Isatis indigotica Fort. include indirubin, indigotone, and indigo pigment contents, with antivirus, fever detoxification, and anti-inflammatory efficacy. Indigowood root has been evaluated in mucositis.
Implantable Gentamycin Sponge
Insertion of a sponge containing gentamycin along the incision line prior to surgical closure was examined in patients with cancer undergoing colorectal surgery for its effect on development of surgical infections.
Immediate Release Opioids (Systemic)
Opioids are narcotic analgesics. Immediate-release opioids, which are fast acting, have been evaluated for its usefulness in relieving dyspnea in patients with cancer and other palliative care patients with dyspnea symptoms. Fentanyl, a type of opioid, is considered separately in the categorization of relevant evidence for dyspnea treatment. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the different formulations for these medications, the length of their half-life, and the onset of action.