Effect of group-based exercise on physical and psychological symptom cluster in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during chemotherapy / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the effect of group-based exercise on physical and psychological symptom cluster in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during chemotherapy.Methods:32 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated in the Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University were selected as study group, matched by age, gender, diagnosis, 32 acute lymphoblastic leukemia children in other tertiary hospital were included as control group. The control group were given routine care, children in the control group were carried out group-based exercise. The physical and psychological symptom status were measured by Memorial Symptom Asssessment Scale (MSAS) before and after intervention.Results:After intervention, children in the study group showed a decreased scores in pain, lack of appetite, weight loss and total physical symptom compared to the control group (1.45±0.31, 1.72±0.23, 0.56±0.11, 1.19±0.23, 1.35±0.09 vs 1.81±0.44, 1.96±0.29, 0.77±0.16, 1.66±0.39, 1.52±0.10), the differences was statically significant ( t value was 3.467-6.963, all P<0.05). After intervention, children in the study group showed a decreased scores in difficult concentrating, sad, irritable and total psychological symptom compared to the control group (1.26±0.23, 0.66±0.13, 2.11±0.33, 1.35±0.12 vs. 1.74±0.29, 0.90±0.20, 2.38±0.31, 1.51±0.13), the differences was statically significant ( t value was 3.260-7.070, all P<0.05). Conclusion:Group-based exercise can alleviate physical and psychological symptom distress in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during chemotherapy.