Effects of Rehabilitation Program on Quality of Life, Sleep, Rest-Activity Rhythms, Anxiety, and Depression of Patients with Esophageal Cancer: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Esophageal cancer patients experience severe symptoms and poor quality of life. Objective We examined the effects of a rehabilitation program on quality of life, sleep, rest-activity rhythms, anxiety, and depression of esophageal cancer patients. Methods Forty-four patients with esophageal cancer were randomly assigned to an experimental group, which underwent a 12-week brisk walking and diet education program, or a control group, which received standard care. Health-related quality of life, subjective and objective sleep quality, rest-activity rhythms, anxiety, and depression were assessed at baseline and post intervention. Results A generalized estimating equation analysis revealed that, after intervention, compared with the control group, the experimental group exhibited significantly improved reflux (P =.022; effect size, 0.32) and marginally improved emotional (P =.069; effect size, 0.27) and social (P =.069; effect size, 0.27) functions; constipation (P =.050; effect size, 0.29), eating difficulty (P =.058; effect size, 0.27), anxiety (P =.050; effect size, 0.29), and total sleep time (P =.068; effect size, 0.39). Conclusions The rehabilitation program may improve health-related quality of life and sleep and alleviate anxiety in patients with esophageal cancer. Implications for Practice A rehabilitation program comprising exercise and diet education is a feasible and low-cost intervention for improving quality of life of patients with esophageal cancer. Healthcare team members may consider it as a nonpharmacological treatment option for patients.