Sleep and fatigue in cancer patients, receiving chemotherapy

Abstract

A descriptive correlational study was conducted to examine the relationship between sleep characteristics and fatigue in persons with cancer, receiving chemotherapy. Twenty-five adult patients, receiving chemotherapy in outpatient and inpatient hospital settings, participated in the study. The Verran and Snyder-Halpern (VAS) Sleep Scale (1989) was used to measure the sleep characteristics of subjects and the Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS) (1992) was used to measure characteristics of fatigue. Demographic data were also collected. Significant relationships (p 0.05) were found between the dimension of Sleep Disturbance and the fatigue dimensions of Sensory, Temporal, and Affective. A positive correlation was demonstrated between Sleep Supplementation and the Temporal dimension of fatigue. Gender differences were evident in the relationships between sleep and fatigue. Nurses are in a unique position to assist patients in coping with the side-effects of cancer treatment. Patient education can assist patients in understanding the limitations and self-care actions appropriate for sleep and fatigue.