Cancer patients’ attitudes towards holistic complementary and alternative medicine in the management of sleep problems

Abstract

Introduction and aim. Sleep problems are frequently experienced in cancer patients and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is solve the problem. However, patients’ attitudes towards this practice are crucial. This study was purpose to investigate the attitudes of cancer patients towards CAM practices in the management of sleep problems. Material and methods. This cross-sectional. and descriptive study was conducted between February-June 2020, on 140 cancer patients in oncology/haematology clinics, three different hospitals in Istanbul. Data were collected by using the Information Form, “Richard Campbell Sleep Questionnaire and The Attitudes towards Holistic Complementary and Alternative Medicine scale”. Results. It was found that the patients had problems with sleep in general 42.74±21.31, mostly in the aspect of the quality of sleep 36.28±26.1. It was determined that stage IV cancer, education and income level of patients affect sleep problems. While female holistic health attitudes were more negative and, their attitudes towards CAM were positive. It was found in the analysis of variance that was performed to determine the difference between the mean scores towards sleep problems of patients in different stages (F=3.062; p<0.05). Conclusion. It was found that cancer patients usually had sleep problems, and their attitudes towards CAM practices were positive.