The effect of comprehensive specialized case management and intravenous therapy on negative emotions in patients with postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer

Abstract

Objective

To explore the impact of comprehensive professional case management on the negative emotions of breast cancer patients undergoing postoperative radiotherapy.

Methods

A total of 102 breast cancer patients who underwent their first radiation treatment between July 2021 and June 2022 at a hospital in Guangzhou, China, were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group of 51 patients who received routine nursing care, and an intervention group of 51 patients who received comprehensive professional case management in addition to routine nursing care, including personalized interventions such as extended care for breast cancer patients with indwelling infusion ports. The effects of the intervention were evaluated using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Self-Efficacy Scale (positive attitude, self-relaxation, and self-decision making) before and after the intervention.

Results

There were no significant differences in anxiety, depression, or self-efficacy scores between the two groups before radiation therapy (P > .05). However, the SAS and SDS scores of the intervention group after radiation therapy (43.32 ± 3.87 and 40.7 ± 2.89, respectively) were significantly lower than those of the control group (49.66 ± 3.49 and 49.2 ± 3.19, respectively; t = 8.672 and 14.130, P < .01). The self-efficacy scores of the intervention group after radiation therapy (positive attitude: 49.3 ± 1.31, self-relaxation: 9.04 ± .68, and self-decision making: 37.03 ± .98) were also significantly higher than those of the control group (positive attitude: 44.6 ± .95, self-relaxation: 7.32 ± .53, and self-decision making: 31.42 ± .89; t = 20.48, 17.15, and 30.330, respectively; P < .01).

Conclusion

Comprehensive professional case management, in conjunction with specialized intravenous therapy, compared to usual standard care, significantly improved negative emotions and self-efficacy in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.