The Effect of Light on Quality of Sleep and Life in Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Introduction Sleep disorders cause many problems in oncology patients, which should be assessed and cured. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effect of bright white light on sleep and quality of life in breast cancer patients who received radiotherapy. Methods The sample of this randomized controlled study consisted of patients who had lower sleep quality. Patients who met the sampling selection criteria were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The intervention group was exposed to 10.000 lux bright white light for 30 minutes a day in a week while the control group patients were rested. Sleep and quality of life of each group of patients were assessed twice as before the radiotherapy treatment and on the eighth day of radiotherapy. Results Although the PSQI mean score of each group was greater than five points according to the first assessment performed before radiotherapy, the PSQI mean score decreased in both groups in the second assessment on the eighth day of radiotherapy. PSQI mean score was lower in the intervention group compared with the control group in the second measurement [(PSQI; Intervention=5.0±2.32, Control=6.50±3.26), (U=85.000, p=0.260)]. The mean scores of the functional subscale of intervention and control groups were determined to be greater in the second assessment compared with the first assessment. Themean score of the symptom subscale decreased in both groups in the second assessment while no difference was found for the mean score of global well‐being. Conclusions It was determined that bright white light does not affect sleep and quality of life.