Symptom Management and Quality of Life of Palliative Cancer Patients after Being Administered with Thai Medicinal Cannabis

Abstract

This cross-sectional aimed to; 1) to explore the symptom management and quality of life (QoL) of palliative cancer patients, 2) to compare the perceived QoL outcomes between the patient who received standard treatment (ST) and who were treated with Cannabis treatment (CT). The study was carried out between 1st Febuary to 30st September 2021 from two hospitals in Roi-Et Regional Hospital and Sawang Dandin Crown Prince Hospital in Thailand. Using the EORTCQLQ-C30 and PPS assessment form, analysing with descriptive statistics, comparing mean scores for two patient groups by Independent T-test. The results found that patients of CT groups had a very high level of QoL while ST group had a high level. The consistency was statistically significant for overall QoL scores of CT higher than ST group (P-value < 001.0) both Cognitive functioning and Dyspnea symptoms (p-value=.05). However, the insomnia symptom indicated ST scores was higher than CT (P-value < 001.0). The results confirm that established the efficacy and safety of medical use of cannabis was benefit for patients. Therefore, it will be enhancing healthcare professionals to take opportunities for treatment for palliative patients' care.