Evaluation of the Effect of Caring Program Based on Roy Adaptation Model in Physiology and Self-Concept Dimensions on Fatigue of Elderly Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Introduction: Fatigue is one of the complications of chemotherapy. Due to physiological conditions ofelderly people, it is followed by several complications. Nursing intervention based on Roy adaptation modelis required to reduce these complications.Objective: Evaluation of the effect of caring program based on Roy adaptation model in physiology andself-concept dimensions on fatigue of elderly cancer patients undergoing chemotherapyMethod: This was a clinical trial study conducted in two groups (65 subjects in each group) undergoingchemotherapy in oncology ward of hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Tehran in 2018.Sampling was performed in 2 stages. First, eligible people were selected by convenient sampling method.Then, they were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The research tools included standardmultidimensional fatigue inventory and “Roy” adaptation form. In the intervention group, 4 sessions oftraining were provided to elderly people in accordance with nursing diagnosis. Then, fatigue was followedupin the two groups and the data were analyzed using SPSS, version 20.Finding: In this study, no significant difference was observed in the number of chemotherapy courses in thegroups before intervention according to chi-square test (P = 0.667). Mean score of fatigue according to thepaired T-Test was 60.63 ± 5.92 and 58.84 ± 6.28, respectively, in intervention and control groups before theintervention and it was 50.43 ± 7.42 and 58.46 ± 5.68, respectively, in intervention and control groups afterthe intervention (p-value <0.001).Conclusion: The caring program based on “Roy” adaptation model was effective in reducing the fatigue ofelderly cancer people undergoing chemotherapy.