Effectiveness of Remote Symptom Monitoring and Progressive Muscle Relaxation in Enhancing Well-Being and Quality of Life in Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of remote symptom monitoring (RSM) combined with progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. A total of 134 lung cancer patients were recruited and randomly assigned to either the RSM + PMR group (n = 67) or the control group (n = 67). Assessments were conducted at baseline (T0), after the first chemotherapy cycle (T1), and after the second cycle (T2). Outcomes included pain [Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)], sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], anxiety and depression [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)], and health-related quality of life (HRQoL, EORTC QLQ-C30). The RSM + PMR group demonstrated significant improvements compared to the control group in reducing pain, enhancing sleep quality, lower anxiety and depression scores at T1 and T2. In terms of HRQoL, the RSM + PMR group showed significant reductions in fatigue, pain, and nausea/vomiting, along with improvements in physical function, role functioning, and social functioning at T1. These positive effects persisted and even strengthened by T2, with further significant improvements in fatigue, pain, dyspnea, and nausea/vomiting. Additionally, the RSM + PMR group reported better global health status at both T1 and T2. By the end of the study (T2), patient satisfaction with the RSM + PMR intervention was significantly higher than in the control group. The RSM + PMR intervention effectively improved pain, sleep, anxiety, depression, and HRQoL in lung cancer patients during chemotherapy, offering a valuable strategy for symptom management.