1Lecturer, National Institute of Nursing Education, PGIMER, Sector-12, Chandigarh, India
2Principal, Oswal College of Nursing and Cancer Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
3Professor, Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER, Sector-12, Chandigarh, India
4HOD, Radiation Oncology Unit, Grecian Super Speciality Hospital, Sector-69, Mohali, Punjab, India
*Corresponding author: Pragya Pathak, Lecturer, House Number 96, Sector-38 A, Chandigarh, UT, India, Ph: +919914666115, Fax: +91-172-2744401, E.Mail: pragyapgi80@hotmail.com
Online published on 14 August, 2013.
Diagnosis of cancer or even its treatment arouses a number of psychological reactions among patients. Among all problems, anxiety and depression are most commonly seen psychological problems in cancer patients. Though the occurence of psychological problems in cancer patients is as high as physiological problems, but they don't get due attention.
To evaluate the effectiveness of counseling on anxiety and depression among hospitalised cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.
The study design was quasi experimental pre-test post-test control group design. Total of 100 participants, 50 in each intervention and control group were included. Anxiety and depression was assessed using State and trait anxiety inventory and Beck depression inventory respectively at baseline and after 4 weeks. The subjects in intervention group received four individual counseling sessions within 4weeks while subjects in control group received treatment as usual.
There was significant decrease in Pre to Post-Intervention mean anxiety and depression scores (p<0.001) of study participants in intervention group while there is significant increase (p<0.03) in mean anxiety and depression scores of study participants in control group.
Counseling was found effective to significantly reduce anxiety and depression in hospitalised cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. Present study, reveal the implication and importance of supportive care in the form of counseling to reduce anxiety and depression among hospitalised cancer patients and also improve their quality of life. So the inclusion of supportive care in the routine practise by nurses will greatly help to enhance quality of life.
Anxiety, Depression, Counselling, Cancer Radiotherapy Patients
