ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF PRE- AND POST-TACE NURSING INTERVENTIONS ON RECOVERY IN ADVANCED PRIMARY LIVER CANCER ATHLETE PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of specialized nursing interventions for athletes with advanced primary liver cancer (APLC) undergoing Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), focusing on mitigating post-procedural pain and improving sleep quality, which are crucial for recovery and return to training. Method: A cohort of sixty athletes with APLC receiving TACE treatment from December 2020 to February 2023 was selected. These individuals commonly experienced pain and insomnia following the procedure. They were divided into two groups of thirty each, an experimental group and a control group, receiving different nursing care approaches. Results: Post-treatment evaluations revealed significant improvements in the experimental group, with lower Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores compared to the control group (P<0.05), indicating better sleep quality. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores for pain at 12- and 24-hours post-TACE were also significantly reduced in the experimental group (P<0.05). Additionally, nursing satisfaction in the experimental group reached 96.67%, significantly higher than the 76.67% reported in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Athletes with APLC face significant challenges with insomnia and pain post-TACE, which can impede their recovery and ability to return to sport. The study confirms that targeted nursing interventions can significantly alleviate these symptoms, enhancing sleep quality and reducing pain, thereby facilitating better overall recovery. Such interventions are critical in improving athletes' satisfaction with care, enhancing their quality of life, and supporting a quicker return to their athletic routines.