Fall-Prevention Behaviors and Factors Influencing Them Post Discharge: Study on Cancer Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

• Published in: Journal of Japanese Society of Cancer Nursing Vol. 36; p. 36_55_kiyohara
• Main Authors: Kiyohara, Hana, Kawasaki, Yuko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japanese Society of Cancer Nursing 26.04.2022; 一般社団法人 日本がん看護学会
• Subjects: allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; cancer patients; nursing support; prevention of falls; がん患者; 同種造血幹細胞移植; 看護支援; 転倒予防
• ISSN: 0914-6423; 2189-7565
• DOI: 10.18906/jjscn.36_55_kiyohara

Purpose: This study aims to clarify fall-prevention behaviors and the conditions that influence such behaviors among cancer patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT)after their discharge from the hospital.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five patients who underwent allo-HSCT for hematologic malignancy, and a qualitative descriptive analysis was conducted based on the seesaw model for health behavior.Results: Patients undergoing allo-HSCT cited several motives for following fall-prevention behavior, which could be classified into seven categories: awareness of their physical vulnerability after treatment, wary of the dangers of falling, reference to past experience of falling, awareness about the secondary effects of falling, awareness of their responsibilities in society, and two other categories. On the contrary, not following or being unable to follow fall-prevention behaviors was classified into five categories: inability to do so due to the effects of treatment, lack of interest in fall-prevention behaviors, lack of social support, and two other categories. The subjects differed in their independence in decision-making and acceptance of support from others. As social support, support from medical personnel, family, friends, and acquaintances, and use of public systems were recognized. Influenced by these factors, fall-prevention actions to be taken by patients after discharge from the hospital were classified into four categories: coping with symptoms, being careful when moving, adjusting to daily life activities, and exercising to restore physical function.Conclusions: This study suggests the importance of nurses providing timely support to patients, when they encounter situations in which patients feel vulnerable, by communicating to them the benefits of following fall-prevention behaviors, referring to their past experiences, proposing specific methods in accordance with patients' goals, and offering constant support toward fall prevention.