The Effect of a Supportive-Educational Intervention through Virtual Social Networks on Sleep quality of Patients with Cancer

Abstract

Purpose Sleep disturbances are very common among cancer patients, and they need more support in this regard. More access to technology has provided opportunities to use virtual teaching methods to train and support cancer patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of supportive-educational intervention (SEI) through virtual social networks (VSNs) on the sleep quality and the severity of insomnia of cancer patients. Methods The study was conducted on 66 patients with cancer, intervention (n = 33) and control (n = 33) groups(CONSORT). Intervention group received supportive-educational intervention on sleep for two months through virtual social networks(VSNs). All participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and insomnia severity index(ISI) before, and after the intervention. Results The mean scores of sleep quality (p = .001) and insomnia severity (p = .001) in the intervention group had a statistical significant decrease. Moreover, quality, latency, duration, efficiency, disturbances of sleep, and daytime dysfunction showed significant improvement in the intervention group, every two times after the intervention (P < .05). However, the participants’ sleep quality deteriorated progressively in the control group (p = .001). Conclusions Supportive-Educational Intervention(SEI) through VSNs can be an effective method to improve the sleep quality and decrease insomnia severity of patients with cancer. Trial registration number: IRCT20220528055007N1 Date of registration: 2022-08-31(retrospectively registered)