Impact of a mind-body technique program and exercise on sleep disturbance and anxiety in patients with carcinoma

Sleep disorder and anxiety are among the most important problems of people with carcinoma. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of mind-body technique and exercise on sleep disorders and anxiety in patients with carcinoma.

30 volunteer patients with cancer (24 women, 6 men) were randomly divided into two control (15 people) and experimental (15 people) groups. This study was quasi-experimental and was conducted in 2021 in Isfahan. Sleep disorder was assessed with the Pittsburgh questionnaire and anxiety with the Beck questionnaire. Measurements of variables were recorded at before, 3 and 12 weeks after the intervention. The experimental group participated in a combined program of mind-body techniques and exercise during three months. Sleep disorder was assessed using the Pittsburgh questionnaire and anxiety was assessed using the Beck questionnaire.

The main effect of the exercise program on the variables of sleep disorders was significant (P<0.001). Also, the main effects related to repetition and the interaction effect of repetition in the group were significant (P<0.001). In addition, the main effect of exercise program on anxiety was significant (P<0.001). Also, the main effects related to repetition and the interaction effect of repetition in the group were significant (P<0.001).

The combined program including exercise and mind-body technique improved the symptoms of sleep disorder and anxiety in patients with carcinoma cancer.