Authors

1. Harris, Carolyn S. BSN, RN
2. Dodd, Marylin PhD, RN
3. Kober, Kord M. PhD
4. Dhruva, Anand A. MD
5. Hammer, Marilyn J. PhD, RN
6. Conley, Yvette P. PhD
7. Miaskowski, Christine A. PhD, RN

Abstract

Two conceptual approaches are used to evaluate symptom clusters: "clustering" symptoms (ie, variable-centered analytic approach) and "clustering" patients (ie, person-centered analytic approach). However, these methods are not used consistently and conceptual clarity is needed. Given the emergence of novel methods to evaluate symptom clusters, a review of the conceptual basis for older and newer analytic methods is warranted. Therefore, this article will review the conceptual basis for symptom cluster research; compare and contrast the conceptual basis for using variable-centered versus patient-centered analytic approaches in symptom cluster research; review their strengths and weaknesses; and compare their applications in symptom cluster research.