EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SPECIALIZED NURSING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR ATHLETES WITH ADVANCED LUNG CANCER: A CARE MODEL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: This study assesses the benefits of specialized nursing combined with psychological intervention for athletes with advanced lung cancer, aiming to understand its impact on treatment outcomes and quality of life. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 100 athletes diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and treated at our hospital from June 2021 to December 2022 were allocated into a control group (n=50) receiving routine nursing care, and an observation group (n=50) receiving targeted nursing alongside psychological interventions. Both groups were monitored over a one-month period. Outcome measures included the incidence of adverse reactions, changes in psychological well-being assessed by the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), quality of life evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), and patient satisfaction with nursing care. Results: The observation group experienced a significantly lower incidence of adverse reactions (24%) compared to the control group (70%, P<0.05). Psychological assessments showed significant improvements in both SAS and SDS scores for all patient’s post-intervention, with more pronounced benefits in the observation group (P<0.05). Quality of life scores, as measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30, were significantly higher in the observation group post-nursing compared to the control group (P<0.05). Additionally, satisfaction with nursing care was higher in the observation group (96%) than in the control group (82%, P<0.05). Conclusion: Targeted nursing combined with psychological intervention significantly enhances the care of athletes with advanced lung cancer. This approach not only mitigates adverse reactions but also substantially improves psychological health, quality of life, and satisfaction with care, underscoring its value in clinical practice. Such interventions are crucial in supporting athletes through the complexities of cancer treatment, emphasizing the need for holistic care approaches in sports medicine.