Effects of mindfulness-based psychological care on mood and sleep of leukemia patients in chemotherapy

PURPOSE: The aim of this research was to explore the benefits of mindfulness-based psychological care (MBPC) and assess whether the intervention would be beneficial in reducing insomnia and emotional symptoms of leukemia patients receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: A randomized control design study was applied in two hematology departments in a hospital in Zhengzhou. Patients in the experimental group received mindfulness-based psychological care(MBPC), and those in the control group received conventional care. Anxiety, depression, and sleeping problems were measured using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Self-Rating Depression Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed among anxiety, depression, and sleeping problems between the two groups in the post-test (P < 0.05). A significant decrease in anxiety and depression and an improvement in sleep were observed between pre- and post-interventions (P < 0.05) in the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: MBPC significantly improved sleep quality and mood of the experimental group. It is an effective complementary therapy for leukemia treatment that is inexpensive, noninvasive, and associated with relaxation and pain reduction.