Effectiveness of adequate sleep in reducing stress and anxiety in cancer patients
Effectiveness of adequate sleep in reducing stress and anxiety in cancer patients
mohammadsouri,1,*
1. Student Research Committee, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
Introduction: A two-way relationship between sleep and cancer. People with cancer are disproportionately affected by sleep disorders and insomnia. These problems can lead to psychological and behavioral effects that delay the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In addition, sleep as a form of guided meditation is effective in reducing stress and anxiety in patients with cancer. Effective techniques and other methods can be used in this nonpharmacological intervention. Studies have shown that these methods can increase the quality of life of patients with cancer and help reduce injuries, complications, and physical and mental health. By including sufficient sleep in patients ’ treatment plans, they can help reduce stress and anxiety. This study investigated the relationship between adequate sleep and reduction in stress and anxiety in patients with cancer.
Methods: this study was conducted using a narrative review method. After studying and evaluating 80 original articles and review systems in international databases and websites: PubMed, Sid, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ISI, and through an advanced and extensive search using the keywords "cancer", "sleep", "stress", "exercise" During the years 2014 to August 2023, among these retrieved articles, 35 selected articles were identified and examined in the stages of title, abstract, and full text.
Results: Adequate sleep is important for overall health and well-being. Especially for cancer patients who may face more stress and anxiety. For cancer patients, sleep is critical for managing symptoms and improving their quality of life. However, many cancer patients suffer from disorders and insufficient sleep because of pain, treatments, and psychological distress. Lack of sleep can aggravate symptoms and increase stress and anxiety levels. Adequate sleep can improve cancer patients in various ways, including physical and mental fatigue, increasing pain tolerance, and improving performance. Therefore, healthcare providers should encourage cancer patients to prioritize sleep and provide them with strategies to improve sleep quality.
Conclusion: Prioritizing sleep as an intervention for cancer patients undergoing treatment is the responsibility of the healthcare provider. By adopting sleep habits and receiving support from their healthcare team, patients with cancer can experience improvements in their stress and anxiety levels.