Purpose
Cancer diagnosis is associated with psychological distress, which often leads to a significant reduction in adaptation and quality of life. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and related factors of psychological distress in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.
Methods
The study included 138 women scheduled for surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy following a recent breast cancer diagnosis at a university hospital in Korea. Psychological distress was assessed using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer and problem lists. Data collection occurred from November 1, 2021, to November 30, 2022. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were utilized for data analysis.
Results
The average age of the participants was 51.72 years. Among the 138 participants, 67.4% (n=93) reported moderate to severe levels of psychological distress. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified financial burden (Odds Ratio [OR]=4.32), fears (OR=5.35), and nervousness (OR=5.50) as predictors of moderate to severe psychological distress.
Conclusion
Approximately two-thirds of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients experienced significant psychological distress. Nervousness, fears, and financial burden were significant factors influencing this distress. Therefore, management of psychological distress should be implemented for patients experiencing financial burdens or emotional problems, such as nervousness and fear, from the time of diagnosis.

Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate distress, family resilience, and Quality of Life (QoL) among family caregivers of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and explore whether family resilience moderates the association between distress and QoL.
Methods
This is a cross-sectional study. One hundred seventeen family caregivers of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were recruited through the oncology outpatient clinic and two oncology wards at a tertiary university hospital. The participants completed self-reported questionnaires, including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Family Resilience Scale-Cancer, and Caregivers’ Quality of Life Index-Cancer. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and hierarchical regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.
Results
The mean distress score was 15.31±6.91, the mean family resilience score was 112.71±14.11, and the mean QoL score was 71.19±18.90. After controlling for potential covariates, distress was found to be negatively associated with QoL (β=-.45, p<.001), whereas family resilience was positively associated with QoL (β=.49, p<.001), explaining 62.8% of the variance. However, family resilience did not moderate the association between distress and QoL in this study.
Conclusion
Distress and family resilience are crucial factors associated with QoL in the caregivers of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This finding indicates that oncology nurses should develop interventions to relieve distress and enhance family resilience to improve family caregivers’ QoL. Further studies are required to confirm the moderating role of family resilience.

Citations

• Navigate Chronic Illness: Antecedents and Consequences of Family Resilience—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  Charin Suwanwong, Darawan Raksat
  The Family Journal.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Effectiveness of web-based education program on knowledge, coping, burden, and quality of life among colorectal cancer caregivers in Vietnam: a quasi-experimental study
  Hien Thi Nguyen, Hsiu-Hsin Tsai, Hong Thuy Phuong Huynh, Thuy Khanh Linh Tran, Tuan Anh Le, Li-Chueh Weng, Ching-Yu Cheng, Pei-Kwei Tsay, Wann-Yun Shieh, Chia-Yih Liu
  BMC Nursing.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Mediating Effects of Family and Clinical Characteristics on the Quality of Life of Children With Spina Bifida and Their Parents
  Seung Hyeon Yang, Hyeseon Yun, Hooyun Lee, Kyua Kim, Chang Gi Park, Eun Kyoung Choi
  Journal of Advanced Nursing.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• The effect of mindfulness‐based interventions on caregiver burden, quality of life and psychological distress in caregivers of adults with chronic diseases: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
  Gülyeter Erdoğan Yüce, Ayser Döner, Aylin Bilgin, Gamze Muz
  Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing.2024; 21(5): 528.     CrossRef
• The experiences of family resilience in patients with permanent colostomy and their spouses: A dyadic qualitative study
  Fangfang Yang, Sumin Cui, Mengyi Cai, Fangming Feng, Meihui Zhao, Mengchen Sun, Weiying Zhang
  European Journal of Oncology Nursing.2024; 70: 102590.     CrossRef
• Dyadic effects of family resilience on quality of life in patients with lung cancer and spousal caregivers: The mediating role of dyadic coping
  Jianfan Ke, Jialing Lin, Xiujing Lin, Wei-ti Chen, Feifei Huang
  European Journal of Oncology Nursing.2023; 66: 102400.     CrossRef
• Family resilience and its influencing factors among advanced cancer patients and their family caregivers: a multilevel modeling analysis
  Panpan Cui, Jiaoxia Shi, Shifeng Li, Mikiyas Amare Getu, Ruibo Wang, Changying Chen
  BMC Cancer.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to describe the impact of fatigue and distress on self-efficacy among breast cancer survivors and to provide a base for development of nursing intervention strategy to improve self-efficacy.
METHODS
A descriptive research design was used. The subjects were 158 patients who were either being treated or were receiving follow-up care at a university breast center in D City from May 30 to August 30, 2014. Structured questionnaires, Revised Piper Fatigue Scale, Distress Thermometer, and Self-Efficacy Scale for Self-Management of Breast Cancer were used to measure fatigue, distress, and self-efficacy. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regressions.
RESULTS
The mean scores of fatigue, distress, and self-efficacy were 3.83, 4.31, and 3.77, respectively. There were significant differences among participants in terms of educational background, current treatment methods, perceived health status, economic burden for fatigue and perceived health status for distress. Self-efficacy was impacted by age, educational background, marital status, average monthly income, perceived health status, and medical expenses. Fatigue, age, and the burden on medical expense had the most impact on self-efficacy, accounting for 17% of the variance.
CONCLUSION
Fatigue should be managed to improve self-efficacy of breast cancer survivors. Therefore, nursing programs designed to decrease fatigue may be helpful.

Citations

• Analysis of Breast Cancer Nursing Education Content and Educational needs for Breast Cancer Patient Nursing Perceived by Nurses
  Young-Hee Je, Kyoung-Ah Kang
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2025; 25(1): 1.     CrossRef
• Does the Association Between Fatigue and Fatigue Self-management Preference Vary by Breast Cancer Stage?
  Min Kyeong Jang, Chang Park, Keon Suk Lee, KyungHi Lee, Eun Kyung Hwang, Hye Jin Joh, Kyung Hee Lim, Yun Hee Ko, Dong Mi Kim, Jeehee Han, Sue Kim
  Cancer Nursing.2022; 45(1): 43.     CrossRef
• Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Levels and Cancer-related Fatigue in Breast Cancer Survivors: Effects of an Exercise Adherence Program
  Sung Hae Kim, Yoon Kyung Song, Jeehee Han, Yun Hee Ko, Hyojin Lee, Min Jae Kang, Hyunki Park, Hyangkyu Lee, Sue Kim
  Journal of Breast Cancer.2020; 23(2): 205.     CrossRef
• Relationships between Attitude Towards Treatment, Distress, and Decision Conflict among Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy
  Hyun Mi You, Eun Young Park
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2019; 19(4): 242.     CrossRef
• The Role of Sleep Quality, Social Support and Fatigue on Daily Life Self-Efficacy in People with Spinal Cord Injury
  Simin Zeqeibi Ghannad1, Tayebe Fateminik, Sirus Alipoor
  Iranina Journal of Psychiatric Nursing.2017; 5(5): 26.     CrossRef
• The Impact of Social Cognitive Constructs on Dietary Behaviors in Breast Cancer Survivors
  Hyenam Hwang
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2016; 16(3): 139.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on depression, anxiety, self care behavior and quality of life in cancer patients.
METHODS
Two thousand and eighty three abstracts were identified through six electronic databases (1980 to June 2012) in Korea. Seventeen studies involving 679 participants met the inclusion criteria for meta analysis. Two authors independently assessed trial quality by Cochrane's Risk of Bias and Methodological Items for Non Randomized Studies and extracted data. The data were analyzed by the RevMan 5.2 program of Cochrane library.
RESULTS
Overall, study quality was moderate to high. CBT was conducted for a mean of 4.2 weeks, 7 sessions and an average of 36.1-minutes per session. CBT was effective for depression (d=-0.85; 95% CI=-1.09, -0.61), anxiety (d=-0.52; 95% CI=-0.75, -0.29), self care behavior (d=-1.34; 95% CI=-1.93, -0.74), and quality of life (d=-0.42; 95% CI=-0.80, -0.04). Publication bias was not detected as evaluated by funnel plot and Egger's test.
CONCLUSION
CBT has small to large effects on depression, anxiety, self care and quality of life. These finding suggests that various CBT interventions can assist cancer patients in reducing emotional distress and improving self care and quality of life.

Citations

• The role of stigma and depression in the reduced adherence among young breast cancer patients in Hungary
  Gabriella Vizin, Tamás Szekeres, Anita Juhász, Lilla Márton, Magdolna Dank, Dóra Perczel-Forintos, Róbert Urbán
  BMC Psychology.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Meta-analysis of psychosocial interventions on survival time in patients with cancer
  P.J. Oh, S.R. Shin, H.S. Ahn, H.J. Kim
  Psychology & Health.2016; 31(4): 396.     CrossRef
• Effects of Integrated Palliative Care Intervention on Quality of Life in Terminal Cancer Patients: A Meta-analysis
  Kae Hwa Jo, Ae Ran Park, Jin Ju Lee
  The Korean Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care.2015; 18(2): 136.     CrossRef
• The Effect of a Community-Based Self-Management Program for Patients at Thyroid Cancer-Diagnosis Stage : a Pilot Study
  Hyera Yoo, Sunjoo Boo, Mison Chun, Eun Mi Jo
  Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing.2015; 29(3): 582.     CrossRef
• Effects of Psychosocial Interventions on Cortisol and Immune Parameters in Patients with Cancer: A Meta-analysis
  Pok Ja Oh, Eun-su Jang
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2014; 44(4): 446.     CrossRef
• Effects of Dignity Interventions on Psychosocial and Existential Distress in Terminally ill Patients: A Meta-analysis
  Pok Ja Oh, Sung-Rae Shin
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2014; 44(5): 471.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
To examine the effect of back massage on immune response, symptom distress, and mood state of patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allogeneic HSCT).
METHODS
Subjects were thirty-seven patients undergoing sibling allogeneic HSCT (including 16 in the experimental group and 21 in the control group). Experimental subjects participated in an intervention group of back massage for 10 minutes, once a day and 5 times a week, from one week prior to the HSCT to the third week after the HSCT or a control group. A non-equivalent pretest-posttest design was used. t-test and Repeated measures ANOVA were used to examine group differences by using SAS.
RESULTS
No significant group differences were found in Immune response (CD4+, CD8+,CD19+, CD56+) and symptom distress. The experimental group had significantly less mood state (anxiety, confusion) than the control group.
CONCLUSION
The back massage for the patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT may be effective in altering the anxiety and confusion during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, this study did not provide evidence in improving immune response and symptom distress.

PURPOSE
To evaluate the effects of a follow-up program for breast cancer patients after surgery.
METHOD
A quasi-experimental design was used. The subjects were 56 breast cancer patients (experimental group: 27, control group: 29). The subjects of the experimental group participated in the Follow-up program of 7 sessions once a week, during 4 weeks including one telephone visit. The program consisted of health education of breast cancer, exercise, lymph edema prevention, diet education, theraband rehabilitation exercise, laugh therapy, and breast self examination. The obtained data were analysed by using the ANCOVA of SPSS.
RESULTS
There was a significant difference in the scores of physical wellbeing, symptom distress and mood state between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
Considering these research results, short-term intervention could improve physical and emotional functioning abilities by helping better health. Nurses should establish and manage a proper program to provide multipurpose support and it must apply the program after surgery as soon as possible for breast cancer women.

PUPPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the patterns and related factors of fatigue in patients with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy.
METHOD
31 women with breast cancer receiving radiotherapy were recruited from the out-patient radiologic clinic of the university hospital in Seoul, Korea over a period of 3 months. Data was collected prospectively concerning three points for 5 - 6 weeks : before radiotherapy(T1), 2 weeks after starting radiotherapy(T2) and the completion of radiotherapy(T3). Data were analysed by repeated measure ANOVA, Pearson correlaton, and multiple regression.
RESULT
1. Score of fatigue increased significantly over the course of radiotherapy. 2. Score of symptom distress and emotional distress increased and functional status scores decreased significantly over time. 3. Fatigue was positively related with symptom distress and emotional distress and negatively related with functional status over the course of radiotherapy. 4. At T2, emotional distress explained 24.7% of the variation in fatigue. At T3, symptom distress(41.9%) and emotional distress(7.2%) explained the variance in fatigue.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study provided evidence that fatigue increased over the course of radiotherapy and symptom distress and emotional distress were influencing factors of fatigue in this group. The results of this study suggest that comprehensive intervention strategy for fatigue should be developed to maintain quality of life during and following radiotherapy considering these factors.