The Effect of Light on Quality of Sleep and Life in Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Objective: This study conducted to evaluate the effect of white spectrum light on sleep and life quality in breast cancer patients who received radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: The sample of this randomized controlled study consisted of patients with low sleep quality who did not report pain, fatigue, depression and anxiety. Research data were collected using by Individual Identification Feature Form, Sleep and Light Application Follow up Form, Beck Depression scale, Beck Anxiety scale, The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ) C-30, Pittsburg Sleep Quality index (PSQI) and Numerical Pain Rating scale. Patients who met the sampling selection criteria (n=23) were randomized in to the intervention and control groups. The control group patients were rested while the intervention group was applied to 10.000 lux white light/30 min/day in a week. Sleep and life quality of both groups of patients were assessed twice as before the radiotherapy and on the eighth day of radiotherapy. Results: The mean PSQI score of both groups was greater than five points at the first assessment performed before radiotherapy, on the eighth day of radiotherapy it was below five points. In the second assessment intervention group’s PSQI mean score was lower compared with the control group [(intervention group=5.0±2.32, control group=6.50±3.26), (U=85.000, p=0.260)]. In the study, while the EORTC QLQ C-30 functional subscale score increased in the second assessment according to the first assessment in the intervention and control groups, the symptom subscale score decreased and there was no change in the global health score. Conclusion: In this study, it was determined that white light does not affect on sleep and quality of life in patients with breast cancer who received radiotherapy.

Keywords

• Radiotherapy
• sleep quality
• quality of life
• bright white light