Title : Psychotherapy in Cancer Patients: Mindfulness and Hypnotherapy during Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy Period
Abstract:
Psychological distress is the main issue faced by cancer patients during their therapy. This condition arises from therapeutical effect causing physical discomfort such as nausea, vomitus, diarrhoea, burning sensation, specific pain in certain organs, and loss of appetite. Overcoming anxiety and pain during the therapy become priority as to prevent patients comorbidity and mortality. In order to reduce pain and anxiety effectively, integrated intervention which include physical, psychological, social and spiritual must be provided at same time. Pharmacological intervention for pain and anxiety are carried out by giving analgesics (NSAIDs, Opioids) and anti-depressants, however long-term use of these drugs might cause toxicity that disrupts several systems in the body. Emotional and social supports from nurses are needed in assisting patients to relax and achieve acceptance state.
This Quasi-Experimental research reported effective result of independent nursing intervention through psychotherapy to reduce anxiety and pain in cancer patients. Hypnotherapy effectively reduced anxiety in cancer patients during chemotherapy (p value: 0,00), meanwhile mindfulness procedure was discovered reducing anxiety and pain as well as increasing immunity status in nasopharyngeal cancer patients during radiotherapy (p value: 0,00). Psychotherapy such as hypnotherapy and mindfulness then affect the patient’s emotional state and spirituality of through the integration of mind, body, and soul. Hypnotherapy aims to provide relaxation and positive suggestions to reduce anxiety. Mindfulness aims to transform consciousness to accept the current condition. This acceptance is able to relieve pain and anxiety. This study found that patient administered by both medical and psychological therapy has better outcome in controlling anxiety related to pain compared to patient getting medical therapy only during radiotherapy and chemotherapy period. Thus, acceptance of pain and relaxation are positive coping strategy to increase the quality of life of cancer patients.
