Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate a distress nursing intervention for relieving psychosocial distress.
METHODS
We developed a twelve-week non-pharmacological distress nursing intervention to decrease distress. This intervention includes cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness based stress reduction, psychoeducation and supportive therapy. The participants were 27 gynecologic cancer patients who agreed to participate in this study, selected by convenience sampling (experimental group-17 and control group-10). The data collection period was performed from November, 8, 2010 to February, 1, 2011. Data were analyzed by using the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program.
RESULTS
There were no difference between the two groups distress score, distress problem and quality of life. The experimental group had significant higher IL-12 and IFN-gamma and lower TGF-beta between before and after the distress nursing intervention.
CONCLUSION
The findings indicate that the distress nursing intervention was an effective intervention in improving immunologic function of gynecological cancer patients.