Williams, S. A. & Schreier, A. M. (2005). The role of education in managing fatigue, anxiety, and sleep disorders in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. Applied Nursing Research, 18, 138–147.
A 20-minute audiotape was used that included education about the self-care behaviors of exercise and relaxation to manage anxiety, fatigue, and sleep problems. A self-care diary mirrored the audiotape. The control group received education about side effects. Outcomes were fatigue, anxiety, and sleep.
Patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.
The study was a randomized, controlled trial.
A modified self-care diary measured the number of side effects, severity of each side effect, number of self-care behaviors performed for each side effect, and the effectiveness of each self-care behavior.
More women in the control group reported difficulty sleeping at baseline; both groups experienced increased severity of sleep disturbance between the first and second self-care diary.