Holistic Nursing Upon the Knowledge on Care During Myelosuppression among Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND: A study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of holistic nursing intervention upon the knowledge regarding care during myelosupression among patients with cancer at a selected hospital in Chennai, India. METHODS: A quantitative research approach of quasi experimental non-equivalent with control group before –after design (non randomized) was used. The investigator included 204 participants by using purposive sampling technique which included 102 each in study and comparison group. Pre-test was done before the intervention of holistic nursing to both comparison and study group participants. Holistic nursing intervention was implemented for study group whereas comparison group received routine care. Post test was done by using the structured questionnaire after 1month. The responses from the participants were coded and statistically analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The knowledge scores obtained by study group was significantly higher (13.32+2.94) when compared to comparison group (8.12+2.04). There was a statistically significant difference between study and comparison group participants, at p< 0.001. With regard to the dimensions of knowledge related to disease condition and signs and symptoms were higher in the study group when compared to the comparison group. The difference was statistically significant at p<0.001. With regard to the management and prevention, the scores were almost similar in both the groups. CONCLUSION: The researcher concludes with the fact that holistic nursing is a non invasive intervention, which allows cancer patients to relax, improves compliance to therapeutic regimen during myelosuppression.