Effect of self controlled exercise program on cancer-related fatigue and sleep quality in cancer patients

Objective To explore the effect of self controlled exercise program on cancer-related fatigue and sleep quality in patients with cancer chemotherapy. Methods A total of 195 cases of cancer chemotherapy patients in Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital were selected by convenience sampling. They were divided into experimental group (97 cases) and control group (98 cases) by random digits table method. The patients in the control group were treated with routine nursing, and the patients in the experimental group implemented the self-control exercise program on the basis of routine nursing. After 12 weeks, the Cancer Fatigue Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were evaluated. Results The total score of cancer induced fatigue was (37.67 ± 8.35) points in the experimental group and (42.42±8.94) points in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (t = 3.833, P < 0.05). The total score of sleep quality was (9.73±2.69) points in the experimental group and (11.92±3.05) points in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (t = 5.316, P < 0.05). Conclusions The self-control exercise program can improve the cancer induced fatigue and sleep quality of cancer patients. It is suggested that the application of self-control exercise in the nursing of cancer patients should be strengthened in the future. Key words: Nursing care; Cancer-related fatigue; Sleep quality; Neoplasms; Self controlled exercise