The effectiveness of deep breathing exercises in reducing the anxiety among the patients undergoing proton therapy at apollo proton cancer Centre

Background: Anxiety is a common psychological response among patients undergoing proton therapy due to cancer diagnosis, immobilization, repeated imaging, and remaining alone during treatment. Uncontrolled anxiety may affect treatment compliance and patient well-being. Deep breathing exercises are a simple, non-pharmacological nursing intervention that may reduce anxiety.
Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of deep breathing exercises in reducing anxiety among patients undergoing proton therapy at Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai.
Methods: A quantitative, quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test control group design was used. Sixty patients undergoing proton therapy were recruited through purposive sampling and allocated into an experimental group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 30). Baseline anxiety was assessed using a modified Anxiety Assessment Scale based on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale–Anxiety (HADS-A). The experimental group received a 20-minute demonstration of deep breathing exercises and practised them twice daily for three consecutive days and once again 30 minutes before proton therapy. The control group received routine nursing care. Post-test anxiety was assessed immediately before treatment. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including paired and independent t-tests, were used for analysis.
Results: The experimental group's mean anxiety score significantly decreased from 13 ± 3 to 6 ± 1, whereas the control group's post-test mean score was 16 ± 2. A highly significant difference was observed between the groups (t = −24.49, p < 0.001). Following the intervention, 90% of patients in the experimental group had normal anxiety levels.
Conclusion: Deep breathing exercises significantly reduced anxiety among patients undergoing proton therapy. This simple, safe, non-invasive, and cost-effective intervention can be incorporated into routine oncology nursing practice to improve patients' psychological well-being and treatment experience.