Date Presented 03/22/24
Eighty percent of breast cancer patients report sleep disturbances while undergoing treatment. The purpose of this mixed-methods research was to understand the impact of various breast cancer treatments on the occupation of sleep among breast cancer survivors.
Primary Author and Speaker: Manisha Sheth
Additional Authors and Speakers: Thea Aliman, Anne Camille Almazora, Kayla Francisco, Chris Ghadimi, Nicole Tafolla
PURPOSE: Approximately 80% of breast cancer patients report sleep disturbances while undergoing treatment (1,2). The purpose of this mixed-method research was to understand the impact of different breast cancer treatments on the occupation of sleep among breast cancer survivors (BCS).
DESIGN: Participants were recruited through purposive and convenience sampling; eligibility criteria included adult women who had been diagnosed and had completed breast cancer treatments (surgery, radiation, hormone and/or chemotherapy) within the past five years, who could read/speak English, and who were members of a closed Facebook and Instagram support group for BCS.
METHOD: Eighteen female breast cancer survivors were recruited to complete a closed-ended survey questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questions. Survey data was analyzed through Jeffrey’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP). Three participants participated in virtual face-to-face interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed by identifying codes and themes. Trustworthiness was ensured by triangulation, saturation, member checking and peer debriefing.
RESULTS: Descriptive statistics were used to report quantitative data, which showed a significant decrease in the number of hours of sleep for breast cancer survivors during treatments compared to before treatment. There was a significant change in the quality and quantity of sleep among participants who underwent chemotherapy compared to participants who underwent alternative treatment. Qualitative themes that emerged were - side effects of medications and supplements, disturbed and interrupted sleep cycles, fatigue from treatments, and additional mental health factors impacting their sleep quality.
CONCLUSION AND IMPACT STATEMENT: While results indicate that breast cancer treatment does impact on quality and quantity of sleep among BCS, more research is warranted to explore the role of OT in addressing and improving sleep among breast cancer survivors.
References
Ayubbana, S., Inayati, A., Utami, I.T., Purwono, J., Ludhiana. (2020). Association of sleep quality with fatigue among cancer patients who took chemotherapy in Jend Ahmad Yani hospital metro city 2018. Indian Journal of Public Research & Development. 11(2)1192–1196. https://doi.org/10.37506/v11/i2/2020/ijphrd/194982
Bodai, B. I., & Tuso, P. (2015). Breast cancer survivorship: A comprehensive review of long-term medical issues and lifestyle recommendations. The Permanente Journal, 19(2), 48.https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/14-241
Grayson, S., Sereika, S., Harpel, C., Diego, E., Steiman, J.G., McAuliffe, P.F., & Wesmiller, S. (2021). Factors associated with sleep disturbances in women undergoing treatment for early-stage breast cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer, 30, 157-166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06373-9
Buysse, D. J., Reynolds, C. F., 3rd, Monk, T. H., Berman, S. R., & Kupfer, D. J. (1989). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: A new instrument for psychiatric practice and research. Psychiatry Research, 28(2), 193–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-1781(89)90047-4
