Effect of Educational Program on Symptom Burden, Body Image Dissatisfaction and Psychological Distress among Patients with Multiple Myeloma

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Ain Shams University

2 Lecturer Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health Faculty of Nursing Ain Shams University

3 Professor of Clinical Psychology Fayoum University

Abstract

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is incurable plasma cells malignancy
characterized by bone destruction, end organ failure and immunodeficiency. Cancer-related
fatigue and insomnia are common distressing symptom and affect patient’s mood and
psychological status. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of educational program on
symptom burden, body image dissatisfaction and psychological distress among patients with
multiple myeloma. Study design: A quasi experimental design was used to achieve the aim of
the study. Subject: A purposive sample consisted of 60 patients with multiple myeloma. The
patients were divided into two groups study and control groups. Setting: this study was
conducted at hematology outpatient clinic at Ain Shams university hospital. Data collection
tools: 1) Patient's demographic characteristics tool, 2) Patient's clinical data tool, 3) knowledge
assessment questionnaire, 4) Symptom burden assessment tool, 5) body image assessment scale
and 5) psychological distress assessment tool. Results: there were no statistically significant
difference (P>0.05) between study and control groups regarding pain, fatigue, insomnia, body
image dissatisfaction, anxiety and depression before the educational program implementation.
While, there were statistically significant differences (P<0.001) between them post and follow
implementation of educational program. Conclusion: Implementation of educational program
has statistically significant positive effect on symptom burden, body image dissatisfaction and
psychological distress among patients with multiple myeloma Recommendations: Further
researches are recommended regarding symptoms management among patients with multiple
myeloma to evaluate its effect on patients' outcomes.

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