Associations between Ward Noise Levels and the Severity of Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients Undergoing Treatment...

This study investigated whether elevated ward noise aggravates cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in lung cancer patients.

This retrospective single-centre study allocated 86 patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy (March 2021-June 2022) into high- and low-noise groups (43 patients each) in accordance with postoperative ward decibel levels. Data on CRF (Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] and Brief Fatigue Inventory [BFI]), sleep quality (Athens Insomnia Scale [AIS]), psychological status (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), quality of life (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30), clinical recovery and satisfaction were collected 2 weeks postsurgery. Multivariable linear regression analysed the noise-CRF association, adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, and clinical stage.

The high-noise group had a significantly higher noise level (A-weighted equivalent continuous sound level: 58.2 ± 2.1 dB vs. 50.8 ± 2.4 dB) and exhibited more severe CRF (BFI: 6.8 ± 1.5 vs. 5.2 ± 1.7, P < 0.001; VAS: 7.5 ± 1.3 vs. 5.9 ± 1.6, P < 0.001), poorer sleep (AIS: 10.2 ± 2.8 vs. 6.1 ± 2.9), higher anxiety/depression, poorer quality of life, delayed ambulation (28.5 ± 6.1 h vs. 23.2 ± 5.8 h), longer hospital stays (7.5 ± 1.4 days vs. 6.4 ± 1.2 days), and lower satisfaction than the low-noise group. After adjustment, higher A-weighted equivalent continuous sound level was independently associated with higher BFI ( β  = 0.380) and VAS scores ( β  = 0.420).

High ward noise independently predicts increased CRF, suggesting noise reduction as a key management approach.