Congress Abstracts 2003

57

OUTCOMES OF COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY USE BY CHEMOTHERAPY PATIENTS. Gwen Wyatt, RN, PhD; Sharon Kozachik, RN, MSN; Charles Given, PhD; Barbara Given, RN, PhD, FAAN all from Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

Purpose: The purpose of this pre- to post-test design was to compare outcomes of patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer who received standard cancer care with those who received standard cancer care plus an eight-week program of complementary therapies, including: 1) guided imagery (healing images set to music), and/or 2) reflexology (10-minute massage of each hand or foot), and/or 3) reminiscence therapy (family storytelling discussions between the patient and the family caregiver).

Theoretical Framework: The Wyatt Quality of Life Model guided this study, which is a derivation of the Ferrell Quality of Life Model.

Design: A pre- to post-test design was utilized.

Sample: A convenience sample was used, with the majority of participants being women with breast cancer. To be eligible, participants had to be 21 years of age or older, and be willing to engage in the complementary therapy program during chemotherapy.

Methods: Family caregivers participated in the intervention with their family member (patient). An educational session for the complementary therapies was provided to the family caregiver and patient at the initial chemotherapy appointment, with 4 reinforcement sessions over an 8-week period.

Analysis: Using t-tests, the intervention group was compared on the following variables: depression, anxiety, spirituality, and patients’ reports of quality of life.

Findings: Findings indicate that: 1) patients who used one or more complementary therapies experienced lowered levels of depression (p<.024) and anxiety (p<.006) over time; and 2) patients who used one or more complementary therapies experienced increased levels of spirituality (p<.019), emotional quality of life (p<.000) and total quality of life (p<.000).

Conclusions: Participants who took part in the complementary therapies achieved significantly lower levels of depression and anxiety and higher levels of spirituality, emotional quality of life and total quality of life.

Implications: Findings from this study will be used as a model for designing future randomized clinical trials that utilize complementary therapies with cancer patients who are undergoing treatment.