Evaluating continuous nursing for elderly patients undergoing leukaemia chemotherapy

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of continuous nursing on elderly patients undergoing acute leukaemia chemotherapy.
Method: The prospective randomised controlled trial was conducted at the Department of Haematology, Nanjing First
Hospital, Jiangsu, China, from September to November 2023, and comprised elderly patients with acute leukaemia
undergoing chemotherapy. They were randomised into experimental group A receiving continuous nursing intervention,
and control group B receiving conventional nursing intervention. Psychological state, compliance behaviours, incidence of
adverse reactions, and quality of life were assessed before and after the intervention. Data was analysed using SPSS 26.
Results: Of the 80 patients, 40(50%) were in group A; 21(52.5%) females and 19(47.5%) males with mean age 71.58±5.66
years. There were 40(50%) patients in group B; 20(50%) females and as many males with mean age 71.47±5.38 years. After
the intervention, group A had significantly lower scores for anxiety and depression compared to group B (p<0.05).
Compliance behaviours, medication coordination, water intake control, and regular rest were significantly better in group
A (p<0.05). Group A also showed a lower incidence of adverse reactions (p<0.05) and higher quality of life scores (p<0.05)
compared to group B.
Conclusion: Continuous nursing significantly improved the psychological state, enhanced compliance behaviours, and
reduced adverse reactions, leading to a better quality of life for elderly patients undergoing acute leukaemia chemotherapy.
Keywords: Continuous nursing, Elderly, Leukaemia chemotherapy, psychological state.