Effects of buddhist-based, nurse-delivered program on psychological symptom cluster and spiritual well-being of Thai women with breast cancer undergoing chemotheraphy : A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

This single-blinded randomized controlled trial with a repeated measures design was aimed at determining the effects of a Buddhist-based, nurse-delivered program on the psychological symptom cluster and spiritual well-being of Thai women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. The sample consisted of 93 women with stage I-III breast cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy at the Chemotherapy Infusion Center of a university hospital in southern Thailand. The subjects were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. The experimental group (n = 45) received usual care plus the Buddhist-based, nurse-delivered program involving the following three main activities: raising self-awareness, integrated Buddhist principle of Four Noble Truths, and self-reflection regarding psychological symptom cluster and the progress of Buddhist practices. The control group (n = 48) received usual care only. The instrument consisted of 1) the Psychological Symptom Subscale (MSAS-PSYCH) and 2) Thai Spiritual Well-being Assessment Tool Patients with Breast Cancer (TSWBATPBC). Data were collected on three occasions at baseline, Cycle 3, and Cycle 6 of Chemotherapy. The data were then analyzed by using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, independent t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA. There were statistically significant differences in the mean scores for the psychological symptom cluster and spiritual well-being scores over time in the experimental group (p < .05), while the interaction of time by group was not statistically significant concerning the psychological symptom cluster and spiritual well-being (p > .05). The Buddhist-based, nurse-delivered program is an alternative intervention in relieving the psychological symptom cluster and enhancing spiritual well-being for women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.