Effects of a nursing intervention on subjective distress, side effects and quality of life of breast cancer patients receiving curative radiation therapy : a randomized study

• The purpose of this randomized study was to investigate whether a nursing intervention using Orem's self-care theory as a framework would affect subjective distress, side effects and quality of life as perceived by breast cancer patients receiving curative radiation therapy. The intervention consisted of five 30-min sessions once a week during the treatment period and two follow-up sessions after completion of treatment. The experimental group consisted of 67 patients, as did the control group. Measurements were collected five times: at baseline before commencement of treatment, at weeks 3 and 5 (completion of treatment) and follow-up periods of 2 weeks and 3 months. No measurable effect of the nursing intervention was found for side effects or quality of life but nursing intervention proved to have a positive effect in minimizing stress reactions (p = < 0.05). It is suggested that a nursing intervention should be implemented for breast cancer patients receiving curative radiation therapy.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

adult

aged

article

breast cancer

coping behavior

distress syndrome

human

major clinical study

nursing

patient counseling

patient education

priority journal

quality of life

stress

Adaptation

Psychological

Affective Symptoms

Aged

80 and over

Breast Neoplasms

Counseling

Female

Humans

Intervention Studies

Middle Aged

Radiotherapy

Adjuvant

Nursing Science

Vårdvetenskap

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)