Greater Well-Being in More Physically Active Cancer Patients Who Are Enrolled in Supportive Care Services

Effect of a 16-Session Qigong Program in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: The treatment associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients may cause adverse effects on their physical and psychological condition. The aim of this study is to detect the response to an eight-week, 16-session, 60-min presential Qigong program in anxiety, depression and vagal nerve activity alongside a control group. Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was managed. Randomization was carried out by generating a numerical sequence of three cycles through the software EPIDAT 4.1. Numbers were placed in sealed opaque envelopes for assignment to the different groups. Results: Anxiety levels were substantially decreased in the experimental group, with a large effect size (F = 30.38, p < 0.00). Depression levels had an improvement in the experimental group in contrast to the control group, reaching statistical significance (F = 19.19, p < 0.00). Heart Rate Variability unveiled significant results in terms of between-group differences, with a large effect size in the HRV Index (F = 15.80, p < 0.00), SDNN (F = 8.82, p < 0.00), and RMSSD (F = 6.72, p < 0.01) in the time domain, and a medium effect size in the HF (F = 9.78, p < 0.003), LF (F = 9.78, p < 0.00), and LF/HF Ratio (F = 18.44, p < 0.00) in the frequency domain, which were all bettered in the experimental group, after the Qigong program. Conclusions: Qigong therapy can be an effective therapeutic activity in consonance with traditional medicine to improve psychological health and autonomic nervous system balance in non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivors.

The Positive Effects of Cancer Survivor Support Service on Distress in South Korea: A Nationwide Prospective Study

Background and Aim

Cancer survivors are gradually increasing, however, they suffer from various difficulties. We aimed to investigate the characteristics of cancer survivors and the effects of the services of the Korean Cancer Survivorship Center Pilot Project launched by the South Korean government on distress.

Methods

A prospective observational cohort study was performed on cancer survivors who completed primary treatment. Cancer survivors' distress and symptoms such as fatigue, pain, depressive mood, anxiety, and insomnia were evaluated by well-trained nurses. Regarding their needs, medical and psychosocial support services were provided.

Results

This study included 1,921 cancer survivors, with a mean age of 57.3 years (68.7% females). Breast cancer was most common, followed by stomach and colorectal cancer. Psychosocial and medical support decreased the percentage of the high-distress group from 50.9 to 30.5% and decreased the percentage of cancer survivors with high scores in fatigue, pain, anxiety, depressive mood, and insomnia. The independent predictors of a low distress level after the use of the services were older age, the relief of fatigue, pain, and insomnia.

Conclusion

This study showed that psychosocial and medical support is associated with the lower distress and physical and mental symptoms of cancer survivors. Psychosocial and medical support could contribute to distress relief in cancer survivors. Further management strategies for fatigue, pain and insomnia are required.