Openness Personality Trait Associated With Benefit From a Nonpharmacological Breathlessness Intervention in People With Intrathoracic Cancer: An Exploratory Analysis

Johnson, Miriam J.; Nabb, Samantha; Booth, Sara; Kanaan, Mona

Abstract

Context: Breathlessness is common in people with lung cancer. Nonpharmacological breathlessness interventions reduce distress because of and increase mastery over breathlessness. Objectives: Identify patient characteristics associated with response to breathlessness interventions. Methods: Exploratory secondary trial data analysis. Response defined as a one-point improvement in 0–10 Numerical Rating Scale of worst breathlessness/last 24 hours (response—worst) or a 0.5-point improvement in the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (CRQ) mastery (response—mastery) at four weeks. Univariable regression explored relationships with plausible demographic, clinical, and psychological variables followed by multivariable regression for associated (P < 0.05) variables. Results: About 158 participants with intrathoracic cancer (mean age 69.4 [SD 9.35] years; 40% women) were randomized to one or three breathlessness training sessions. About 91 participants had evaluable data for response—worst and 107 for response—mastery. In the univariable analyses, the personality trait openness was associated with response—worst (odds ratio [OR] 1.99 [95% CI 1.08–3.67]; P = 0.028) and response—mastery (OR 1.84 [95% CI 1.04–3.23]; P = 0.035). Higher CRQ—fatigue (OR 0.61 [95% CI 0.41–0.91]; P = 0.015), CRQ—emotion (OR 0.68 [95% CI 0.47–0.96]; P = 0.030), and worse CRQ—mastery (OR 0.61 [95% CI 0.42–0.88]; P = 0.008), and the presence of metastases and fatigue were associated with reduced odds of response—mastery. In the adjusted response—mastery model, only openness remained (OR 1.73 [95% CI 0.95–3.15]; P = 0.072). Conclusion: Worse baseline health, worse breathlessness mastery, but not severity, and openness were associated with a better odds of response. Breathlessness services must be easy to access, and patients should be encouraged and supported to attend.

Citation

Johnson, M. J., Nabb, S., Booth, S., & Kanaan, M. (2020). Openness Personality Trait Associated With Benefit From a Nonpharmacological Breathlessness Intervention in People With Intrathoracic Cancer: An Exploratory Analysis. Journal of pain and symptom management, 59(5), 1059-1066.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.01.006

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 14, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jan 29, 2020
• Publication Date: May 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Apr 6, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 30, 2021
• Journal: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
• Print ISSN: 0885-3924
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 59
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 1059-1066.e2
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.01.006
• Keywords: Breathlessness; Dyspnea; Lung cancer; Intervention; Personality; Coping
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3449496
• Publisher URL: https://www.jpsmjournal.com/article/S0885-3924(20)30058-0/fulltext