Effect of Nursing Interventions on Symptoms and Functional Status among Patients with Lung Cancer

Abstract

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer mortality in men and women worldwide. Both lung cancer and its treatment specially chemotherapy cause a range of debilitating side effects that affect patient's functional status and the overall health related quality of life. Purpose: To evaluate the effect of selected nursing interventions (breathing and stretching exercises of upper body) on improving symptoms and functional status among patients with lung cancer. Design: A quasi experimental research design was utilized. Setting: This study was conducted at the inpatient wards and the outpatient clinics of the oncology department, Menoufia University Hospital, Shebin El- kom, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. Sample: A consecutive sample of 60 adult patients with lung cancer were selected. They were randomly assigned into two equal groups, 30 patients in both study and control groups. Instruments: Six instruments were used in data collection: knowledge of patient's structured interview questionnaire, breathing exercises Observational Checklist, Fatigue Assessment Scale, Dyspnea Numeric Rating Scale, Insomnia Severity Index and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General Scale). Results: The main findings of the study revealed , a highly statistically improvement at follow up 1 (100%) of study group had mild to moderate fatigue also, there was statistically significant improvement at follow up 2 (60%, 40%) had mild to moderate fatigue and normal (no fatigue) respectively than control group. Conclusion: The study concluded that nursing interventions contributed to reduction of symptoms (fatigue, dyspnea, insomnia) & functional status among patients with lung cancer. Recommendation: The nursing interventions should be provided for lung cancer patients to improve symptoms and functional status among them.