Journal of International Psychiatry

Abstract ObjectiveTo analyze the effect of palliative care in improving the psychological status of elderly patients with gastric cancer.MethodsSeventy elderly patients with gastric cancer were randomly divided into the palliative group (n=35) and the routine group (n=35), and the two groups were respectively given the whole-course palliative careintervention and routine basic nursing intervention. The degree of anxiety and depression was evaluated by Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self rating Depression Scale (SDS)made by Zung before and after the intervention. The sleep quality and the life quality were respectively evaluated by the insomnia severity index (ISI) and quality of life questionnaire (QLQ-C30).ResultsBefore the intervention, the scores showed no significant differences between the two groups (P> 0.05). After the intervention, SAS, SDS and ISI scores were significantly lower than those before intervention, and the QLQ-C30 scores were significantly higher than those before intervention (P< 0.05).Compared with the routine group, SAS, SDS and ISI scores in the palliative group were significantly lower after intervention while the scores of cognitive function, emotional function and social function in QLQ-C30were significantly higher (P< 0.05). After intervention, mild anxiety and depression were common in the palliative group, while mild and moderate anxiety were common in the routine group (P< 0.05).ConclusionPalliative care intervention can significantly relieve the symptoms of depression and anxiety in elderly patients with gastric cancer, improve the sleep quality and quality of life, so as to reduce the physical and psychological pain.

Key words:Palliative care; Elderly; Gastric cancer; Psychological distress