Effect of Mind- Body Games on Symptoms Intensity and Quality of Life among Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abd El Fatah, Amira Hosny; Elsedawy, Dalia; Gaballah, Samia; Helmy, Nagwa

doi:10.21608/tnhcj.2025.389261.1071

Effect of Mind- Body Games on Symptoms Intensity and Quality of Life among Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ medical and surgical nursing, faculty of nursing, Suez canal university

² Professor of Medical Surgical and Nursing, Faculty of Nursing - Cairo University,

³ Mdical-Surgical nursing- suez canal university- ismailia- Egypt

⁴ Assistant professor at Medical and Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing - Suez Canal University.

10.21608/tnhcj.2025.389261.1071

Abstract

Background Chemotherapy is the most common treatment used for cancer patients which causes a lot of side effects that have a negative impact on the patients `wellbeing. Using alternative therapy for patients with advanced cancer can improve the patients `symptom and quality of life. Aim of the study: The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of using mind-body games on symptoms intensity and quality of life among cancer Patients undergoing chemotherapy. Design: Quasi-experimental design. Setting: The study carried out at inpatient chemotherapeutic ward in Ismailia Teaching Oncology Hospital. Subjects: Quasi-experimental design. Setting: The study carried out at inpatient chemotherapeutic ward in Ismailia Teaching Oncology Hospital. Subjects: 60 patients were purposively selected to participate in the current study. Tools: Three tools were used to conduct this study. Tool I: A structured interview questionnaire included two parts which involved assessment of the socio- demographic data and medical history. Tool II: Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). Tool III: Quality of Life Scale (QOLS). Intervention: Gaming group (practiced games) and control group. All study participants received the routine pain killer medications for pain management two times daily according permitted agency protocol for narcotics use. Results: Gaming group demonstrates decrease in symptoms intensity but not significant (p value =.653) and had no improvement in the quality of life compared with control group. Conclusion: practicing body- mind games decrease the intensity of symptoms among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (but, not significant). While, they had no effect on quality of life among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Recommendations: Endorse gaming as one alternative medicine method parallel to conventional treatment for chemotherapy related symptoms.

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