Factors Affecting Sleep Quality in Women with Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy

Association between sleep quality, anxiety and depression among Korean breast cancer survivors

AIM

This study aimed to examine the sleep pattern of breast cancer survivors and anxiety and depression associated with sleep quality to provide evidence-based information for the development of interventions to improve sleep disorders in these survivors.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

The subjects were 266 breast cancer survivors in South Korea. Structured questionnaires regarding sleep quality, anxiety and depression were used. The data were analysed using t test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

Sleep duration and sleep disturbance were found to affect anxiety, whereas sleep latency and subjective sleep quality were found to affect depression. These results suggest that various factors affecting sleep quality should be considered when providing care for anxiety and depression in breast cancer survivors.

Factors affecting anxiety and depression in young breast cancer survivors undergoing radiotherapy

PURPOSE

This study examined anxiety and depression, and their relationship with symptom assessment, uncertainty, social support, and stress in young breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.

METHODS

This is a descriptive quantitative study. The participants were 126 patients under 50 years of age with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy.

RESULTS

The anxiety and depression levels were higher among those who were married (t = -2.318, p = .022), non-religious (t = 4.510, p = .005), and had a higher monthly income (F = 2.840, p = .041). The hierarchical regression analysis model included symptom assessment, uncertainty, social support, and stress, and accounted for about 49% of the variance in anxiety and depression (F = 7.688, p < .001). Additionally, uncertainty (β = 0.304, p = .001) and stress (β = 0.308, p = .001) were significant predictors of anxiety and depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of this study, nursing interventions are needed to reduce uncertainty and stress in order to reduce anxiety and depression in young breast cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment.