Effects of an Individual and Family Self-management Program for Gastrointestinal Symptom Cluster in Women with Breast Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy: A Quasi-Experimental Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60099/prijnr.2026.282214Keywords:
Breast cancer, Chemotherapy, Family support, Gastrointestinal symptom cluster, Oncology nursing, Self-management, Symptom management behaviorAbstract
Gastrointestinal symptom clusters are the most prevalent and persistent adverse effects experienced by women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Effective clinical management must target this entire symptom cluster comprehensively rather than treating isolated symptoms. While family involvement is vital for fostering sustainable symptom management, empirical research engaging families in this care context remains sparse in Thailand. This quasi-experimental study evaluated the effects of an individual and family self-management program on gastrointestinal symptom clusters, symptom management behaviors, and family support among Thai women with breast cancer who lived with a family member and received chemotherapy in a university hospital. Fifty-seven dyads in the purposive sample were sequentially assigned to the study groups. First, 28 dyads were selected for the control group to complete the baseline standard care protocol. Subsequently, 29 dyads were recruited into the experimental group to undergo the six-week individual and family self-management program. Data were collected at baseline, the four-week follow-up, and at one-week post-intervention using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Cluster Assessment Scale, the Symptom Management Behaviors Questionnaire, and the Family APGAR Questionnaire. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and a linear mixed-effects model.
Results from the linear mixed-effects model indicated that the intervention group experienced a significantly lower severity of the gastrointestinal symptom cluster and significantly improved symptom management behaviors compared to the control group. However, no statistically significant difference in family support was observed between the two groups. In conclusion, the individual and family self-management program effectively reduces the severity of gastrointestinal symptom clusters and enhances adaptive symptom-management behaviors. This framework can be integrated into clinical oncology nursing to empower patients and families. However, future randomized controlled trials with longitudinal follow-ups are warranted to evaluate long-term behavioral sustainability.
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