This study aims to determine the effects of the 4-7-8 breathing technique on anxiety, symptom severity, and sleep quality during treatment. A randomized controlled trial design was employed, involving 64 participants (intervention group: n=32; control group: n=32) undergoing their third treatment cycle. The intervention group received the 4-7-8 breathing technique twice daily for 21 days in addition to routine care, while the control group received routine care and standard supportive care. Data will be collected at pre-test and post-test stages using the Descriptive Information Form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-State), the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data analysis will be performed using the SPSS 22.0 software.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
64
Participants in the intervention group will receive routine chemotherapy care in addition to the 4-7-8 breathing technique. The technique will be taught individually by the researcher face-to-face before chemotherapy. Participants will perform the technique twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, for 21 consecutive days. Each session will consist of four cycles of the 4-7-8 breathing technique.
Participants in the control group will receive routine nursing care and standard chemotherapy care according to the usual clinical practice. No 4-7-8 breathing technique will be provided during the study period.
Gaziantep City Hospital
Gaziantep, Turkey (Türkiye)
State Anxiety Level
State anxiety level was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State subscale (STAI-S). The STAI-S consists of 20 items, with total scores ranging from 20 to 80. Higher scores indicate higher levels of state anxiety. State anxiety was assessed at baseline and on Day 21.
Time frame: Baseline and Day 21
Sleep Quality
Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The PSQI evaluates subjective sleep quality and sleep disturbances, with higher total scores indicating poorer sleep quality. Sleep quality was assessed at baseline and on Day 21.
Time frame: Baseline and Day 21
Chemotherapy Symptom Burden
Chemotherapy symptom burden was assessed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS). The severity of symptoms was rated on a 0-10 numerical scale, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity. Chemotherapy symptom burden was assessed at baseline and on Day 21.
Time frame: Baseline and Day 21
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