Elena Gabriela Valcu

Dr. Elena Gabriela Valcu

"Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Galaţi, Romania
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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16 August 2023 in Healthcare
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Journal Article
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Elena Gabriela ValcuElena Gabriela Valcu
Elena Gabriela Valcu
DFDorel Firescu
Dorel Firescu
ANAurel Nechita
Aurel Nechita
ACAnamaria Ciubara
Anamaria Ciubara
GCGeorgiana Bianca Constantin
Georgiana Bianca Constantin
LRLaura –Florentina Rebegea
Laura –Florentina Rebegea
Introduction: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of online group meetings for breast cancer patients in the active phase of treatment. The group therapy sessions took place weekly, synchronously, online, on Zoom, with a total of 12 meetings lasting about 2.5 h per session, between December 2021 and February 2022. We analyzed the topics of discussion chosen by the participants, the structure of the group, the results obtained at the main scales of evaluation/monitoring of quality of life and the motivation of patients to participate in the therapeutic group. All patients were in the active phase of treatment (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, etc.). The main goal of the group therapy was to reduce the stress related to the disease. Material and methods: Systematic observations included ABS psychological tests, EQ-5D-5L, HADS—Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Recurrence Fear Questionnaire; the questionnaires were administered at the beginning and at the end of the therapeutic intervention; the participation in the therapy and in the research of the patients began after signing the informed consent document; the intervention was evaluated at the end using a feedback questionnaire. The group was closed, and the participants signed an informed consent document and agreed to have the sessions recorded. Results: Comparing the initial with the final results of the psychological tests administered, there was an improvement in the quality of life of the participants in all areas, with a clinically significant decrease in the areas of pain and depression, along with an increase in perception of well-being, a decrease in FoP scores and an increase in the level of rationality about the disease. Conclusions: Group therapy for cancer patients was useful in improving the quality of life; the closed group, even online, provided a safe environment in which they could share feelings. A close correlation was noted between the scores obtained on the FoP-Q and HADS scales. It is evident that there is a strong relationship between FoP and depression. Results on these scales correlated well with results on the EQ-5D-5L quality of life questionnaire.

1 January 2021 in Archiv Euromedica
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Journal Article
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SFSilvia Fotea
Silvia Fotea
GCGabriela Calcan
Gabriela Calcan
Elena Gabriela ValcuElena Gabriela Valcu
Elena Gabriela Valcu
RTRaluca Ecaterina Tanase
Raluca Ecaterina Tanase
SMSimona Dana Caramfil Mitincu
Simona Dana Caramfil Mitincu
EEEva-Maria Elkan
Eva-Maria Elkan

6 February 2024 in BRAIN. BROAD RESEARCH IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE
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Journal Article
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Elena Gabriela ValcuElena Gabriela Valcu
Elena Gabriela Valcu
DFDorel Firescu
Dorel Firescu
GCGeorgiana Bianca Constantin
Georgiana Bianca Constantin
GRGabriela Rahnea-Nita
Gabriela Rahnea-Nita
RRRoxana-Andreea Rahnea-Nita
Roxana-Andreea Rahnea-Nita
LRLaura Florentina Rebegea
Laura Florentina Rebegea
Male sexual dysfunction refers to a lack of attraction and a lack of normal sexual performance. The most common sexual dysfunction in men is erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction is the inability to achieve an erection or to sustain satisfactory sexual intercourse. Sexual dysfunction is associated with oncological treatment, having a significant impact on the quality of life. Sexuality is a frantic sense of awakening to life, it is excitement and a lot of energy, it gives the feeling of invincibility, it is the opposite of death. For many cancer patients, getting an erection is a negative problematic experience, combined with feelings of hopelessness, depression, accompanied by loss of self-esteem. Taking into account the medical aspect, the present paper highlights the interpersonal psychological aspect with reference to the cognitive-behavioural model. The present analysis describes the problem of sexual dysfunction and illustrates a panorama of therapeutic models to plan an effective intervention. This study aims to perform a review of the evidence on the role of cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy in addressing erectile dysfunction problems in prostate cancer patients. An extensive bibliographic search of online database and relevant manuscripts was followed.

Verified
Journal Article
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RRRahnea Nita Roxana
Rahnea Nita Roxana
LRLaura –Florentina Rebegea
Laura –Florentina Rebegea
Elena Gabriela ValcuElena Gabriela Valcu
Elena Gabriela Valcu
MDMihaela Emilia Dumitru
Mihaela Emilia Dumitru
RTRADU VALERIU TOMA
RADU VALERIU TOMA
GRGabriela I Rahnea-Nita
Gabriela I Rahnea-Nita
Introduction. Anxiety and depression have an increased prevalence in cancer patients, especially in those in an advanced stage of the disease. These disorders have a major impact on the social life, existential concerns and quality of life of cancer patients. Materials and Methods. A number of 114 consecutive patients were included in the study (in a period of 2 weeks) who were screened for anxiety, depression and for other common symptoms, using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). Results. Regarding the age—the abnormal level of anxiety and depression: the percentage of patients over 65 years was higher than the percentage of patients under 64 years, both in terms of anxiety and depression. Regarding the Performance status ECOG—abnormal level of anxiety and depression: the percentage of patients with ECOG = 3–4 is higher than that of patients with ECOG = 0–2. Results. The increased prevalence of anxiety and depression requires psychological counseling and treatment. It is important for these symptoms to be identified as soon as possible, in order to provide a good quality of life. Conclusions. The model we propose is for the HADS to be a screening tool on admission to a palliative care ward, for certain categories of patients.