EFFECTS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL CARE ON PAIN, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER

This study investigates the effect of psychological care on patients with advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. A total of 210 patients were randomly assigned to receive either routine care (regular group, n=101) or psychological care combined with routine care (research group, n=109). Outcomes assessed included care quality, pain intensity (VAS), anxiety and depression (SAS and SDS), self-perceived burden (SPBS), quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C30), care compliance, and satisfaction. The research group demonstrated significantly higher scores in health education, ward management, care attitude, and skills (P<0.05). Both groups showed reductions in VAS, SAS, SDS, and SPBS scores after intervention; however, the research group had greater improvements (P<0.05). Quality of life scores increased in both groups, with the research group showing superior gains (P<0.05). Care compliance and satisfaction were also higher in the research group (P<0.05). Psychological care effectively alleviates negative emotions, enhances nursing quality, improves quality of life, and reduces the self-perceived burden in advanced GI cancer patients.