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The effect of applying eye movement exercise on pain and sleep quality among children undergoing chemotherapy
Nagwa Ibrahim Eldemery1, Reham Elsaeed Hashad1, Heba Abubakr Salama1
1Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
Insights
Eye movement exercises effectively reduced pain and improved sleep quality in children undergoing chemotherapy. This non-pharmacological approach offers a simple, low-cost nursing strategy to enhance pediatric cancer patient comfort.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Nursing Interventions
- Pain Management
- Sleep Quality
Background:
- Children undergoing chemotherapy experience significant pain and sleep disturbances.
- Effective nursing interventions are crucial for managing chemotherapy side effects and improving patient comfort.
- Eye movement exercises are explored as a non-pharmacological method to alleviate these issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of eye movement exercises on pain levels in children undergoing chemotherapy.
- To assess the effect of eye movement exercises on the sleep quality of pediatric patients receiving chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental research design was utilized.
- The study included fifty children undergoing chemotherapy at Mansoura University Oncology Center.
- Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, a Pain Rating Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
Main Results:
- Implementation of eye movement exercises led to a reduction in mean pain levels.
- The intervention resulted in significant improvements in the sleep quality of the participating children.
- Eye movement exercises demonstrated a positive effect on pain and sleep in pediatric chemotherapy patients.
Conclusions:
- A structured eye movement exercise program can effectively reduce pain and enhance sleep quality in children undergoing chemotherapy.
- Eye movement exercises represent a simple, non-invasive, and cost-effective nursing intervention for improving patient comfort.
- Further research with larger samples and rigorous designs is recommended to confirm these findings in pediatric oncology settings.
Background:
Nursing interventions that apply neutropenic precautions, provide medication, offer nutritional and psychological support, and address side effects such as pain, nausea, fatigue, and infection are beneficial for children undergoing chemotherapy. Pain and sleep difficulties are common in children receiving chemotherapy. Therefore, this study looks at eye movement exercises as a non-pharmacological means of enhancing their comfort and overall health.
Aim:
This study aimed to evaluate effect of applying eye movement exercise on pain and sleep quality among children undergoing chemotherapy.
Subjects And Methods:
To accomplish this study's goal, a quasi-experimental research approach was employed. The research was carried out at the Oncology Center affiliated with Mansoura University. A selective sample of fifty children receiving chemotherapy in the setting was included in the study. Three tools were employed to gather data: Tool I: A structured interviewing questionnaire consisting of two sections (Part 1: Child characteristics; Part 2: Children's medical history); Tool II: Pain Rating Scale; Tool III: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
Results:
The findings of the current study revealed that the implementation of eye movement exercises reduced the mean pain levels among children receiving chemotherapy and improved their sleep quality.
Conclusion:
The findings of the current study indicate that a structured eye movement exercise program may contribute to reducing pain levels and improving sleep quality among children receiving chemotherapy. As a simple, non-invasive, and low-cost intervention, eye movement exercises can be considered as a supportive nursing strategy to enhance patient comfort during chemotherapy. However, further research with larger sample sizes and controlled study designs is recommended to strengthen the evidence and confirm the effectiveness of this intervention in pediatric oncology settings.
Clinical Trial Number:
Not applicable.