The Communication-Based Intervention Program Based on Narrative Medicine Theory Effectively Improves the Quality of Nursing Care for Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of a communication-based intervention program rooted in narrative medicine theory on the quality of nursing care and patient outcomes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 98 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated at our hospital between September 2022 and August 2024. Patients were divided into two groups based on historical nursing records: the control group (n=49) received routine standard nursing care, while the observation group (n=49) received routine care supplemented with a narrative medicine-based communication intervention. The intervention was conducted 1-2 times per week over four consecutive weeks. Outcomes were assessed using the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS), Herth Hope Index (HHI), Nursing Quality Evaluation Scale, and Communication Satisfaction Questionnaire, measured at baseline and post-intervention.

RESULTS

Compared to controls, the observation group showed significantly reduced fear of progression (FoP-Q-SF: 33.53 vs 43.11), improved sleep (PSQI: 11.25 vs 15.41), lower cancer-related fatigue (CFS total: 28.23 vs 35.94), and higher hope levels (HHI: 33.45 vs 25.56) (all p < 0.001). Nursing quality and communication satisfaction also improved significantly across all domains (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The communication-based intervention program based on narrative medicine significantly improves psychological well-being, sleep quality, cancer-related fatigue, hope level, and overall nursing quality in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This approach offers a feasible and effective model for enhancing holistic cancer care.