Hong Kong Med J 2007;13(Suppl 2):S4-7
Reducing breathlessness, fatigue, and anxiety in Chinese patients undergoing lung cancer radiotherapy in Hong Kong
WHC Chan, AM Chang, SF Leung, SSS Mak
Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
1. Levels of breathlessness, fatigue, and anxiety are moderately correlated, supporting the notion of viewing these three symptoms as a cluster.
2. An intervention combining patient education and progressive muscle relaxation is effective for combating the breathlessness, fatigue, and anxiety symptom cluster over a 6-week period.
3. The combined intervention is also effective for improving patients’ overall functional ability over a 6-week period.
4. Progressive muscle relaxation alone does not produce a significant effect on the symptom cluster and functional ability.
2. An intervention combining patient education and progressive muscle relaxation is effective for combating the breathlessness, fatigue, and anxiety symptom cluster over a 6-week period.
3. The combined intervention is also effective for improving patients’ overall functional ability over a 6-week period.
4. Progressive muscle relaxation alone does not produce a significant effect on the symptom cluster and functional ability.