Effects of Symptoms and Patient Activation on Sleep Disturbance in Patients with Acute Leukemia Undergoing Chemotherapy

Purpose: Sleep disturbance is among commonly reported symptoms associated with leukemia and its treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify the symptom experience, anxiety and depression, and sleep disturbance in patients with acute leukemia undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: A total of 82 patients with acute leukemia who were undergoing chemotherapy were recruited. Data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire, which included the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory, the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Patient Activation Measure 13. Results: Sleep disturbance and symptom experience, and anxiety and depression were shown to be positively correlated, and patient activation was shown to be negatively correlated. Use of sleeping pills and symptom severity were significantly associated with sleep disturbance. Condusion: The psychological and physical symptoms patients experience during treatment should be accurately identified, and effective nursing interventions should be provided. In addition, patient activation in patients with acute leukemia under inpatient treatment was not correlated with symptoms. However, supportive care should be provided to develop and accurately measure patient activation tools suitable for disease characteristics to increase patient activation.

Automated summary

Sleep disturbance, symptom experience, anxiety and depression were found to be positively correlated in acute leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy. Use of sleeping pills and symptom severity were significantly associated with sleep disturbance. Supportive care should be provided to develop and accurately measure patient activation tools suitable for disease characteristics to increase patient activation.