Effect of Breathing Exercises on Symptoms Intensity and Quality of Life among Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Background: Chemotherapy is a common treatment for cancer, yet it often causes adverse side effects that significantly compromise a patient’s health and quality of life. This necessitates the exploration of complementary therapies to mitigate these impacts. This study was based on the premise that non-pharmacological interventions, specifically breathing exercises, could offer a viable adjunctive approach to address chemotherapy-related symptoms and enhance patient well-being.
Methods: A quasi-experimental research design was employed at the inpatient chemotherapeutic ward of Ismailia Teaching Oncology Hospital. The study recruited a purposive sample of 60 patients. Three tools were utilized: one for sociodemographic data, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System to quantify symptom intensity, and the Quality-of-Life Scale to assess patient well-being. The intervention group practiced breathing exercises, while the control group received routine care.
Results: The findings revealed a statistically significant reduction in symptom intensity and a notable enhancement in quality of life for the group that participated in the breathing exercise intervention. These positive outcomes were observed following a series of structured sessions.
Conclusion: The incorporation of breathing exercises can effectively diminish symptom intensity and enhance the quality of life among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This makes breathing exercises a recommended complementary and alternative medicine approach to be utilized alongside conventional medical treatments for chemotherapy-related symptoms.