European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society
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Fatigue and disrupted sleep often coexist and both are prominent clinical problems in cancer affecting quality of life. Disrupted sleep patterns are likely related to cancer-related fatigue. The relationship needs further investigation. This study aimed to characterize and compare disrupted sleep patterns in fatigued breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy with postmenopausal women without a history of cancer. Anxiety levels were also examined. ⋯ Sleep is disrupted in fatigued breast cancer women undergoing chemotherapy. Nearly all fatigued patients (97%) had trouble sleeping (global PSQI scores>5), indicating significant difficulties in overall sleep quality among those patients. Knowledge of the nature of sleep disruption among cancer patients may contribute to CRF symptom management leading to tailored interventions designed to improve sleep quality in cancer patients thereby managing fatigue and improving quality of life.