Effects of evidence-based nursing on psychological well-being, postoperative complications and quality of life after breast cancer surgery.

objectiveTo evaluate the influence of evidence-based nursing (EBN) on psychological well-being, postoperative complications and quality of life (QOL) after breast cancer (BC) surgery.

methodsA total of 263 patients with BC who were surgically treated in Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital from May, 2018 to August, 2019 were as assigned to observation group (EBN, n=142) and control group (routine nursing care, n=121). Clinical indicators and any complications after intervention were recorded. And the exercise compliance in the affected limbs was evaluated. Barthel index (BI), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were employed for the assessment of self-care ability, psychological status, and sleep quality, respectively. In addition, we utilized the numerical rating scale (NRS) to evaluate postoperative pain, the functional assessment of cancer therapy-breast (FACT-B) scale to assesse the quality of life (QOL), and the self-made questionnaire to quantify patient satisfaction.

resultsAfter intervention, the observation group presented greater improvement in symptoms, higher exercise compliance and BI scores, as well as lower SAS, SDS, and PSQI scores; the incidence of postoperative pain and complications decreased in observation group, and FACT-B scores and patient satisfaction increased.

conclusionEBN is effective in relieving symptoms, reducing negative emotions and postoperative complications, as well as enhancing the QOL of patients undergoing BC surgery.