MEDITATION PRACTICE CAN BE EFFECTIVE ON THE SEVERITY OF FATIGUE IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY

Purpose: Due to the prevalence of fatigue in women with breast cancer during chemotherapy and its impact on the psychological state of patients and also the prevalence of depression, they encounter a reduction in life expectancy. This study was aim to determine the effect of meditation on fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 102 breast cancer patients in two groups. Demographic questionnaire and fatigue severity questionnaire were completed by patients before the intervention. Throughout the intervention, twin hearts meditation was taught to the patients in the experimental group by the experiment fellow and they were asked to perform it at least 3 times a week for two weeks.

Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of the fatigue scores before, and after the last intervention in the second weeks. Fatigue severities mean score in the control group changed from (47.3) to (52.4) and the experimental group changed from (49.5) to (35.3).

Conclusions: The meditation exercise reduces the fatigue of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Therefore, meditation is recommended as a complementary therapy beside medication in these patients.