Integrating a traditional Chinese medicine hospice care system to address depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders in advanced cancer.

BACKGROUND: The hospice care system of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides a reference for relieving depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders in patients with advanced cancer. AIM: To explore the effects of TCM hospice care on depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders in patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted between July 2023 and June 2024. Patients with advanced cancer were selected and divided into observation and control groups (n = 34 per group). The observation group received TCM hospice care, with a 4-week treatment cycle. The control group received routine hospice care. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to assess depression, anxiety, and sleep quality changes, and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 26.0 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in age, sex, cancer type, disease course, or baseline mental symptom scores between the groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, the observation group showed significantly greater improvements in depression, anxiety, and sleep quality (P < 0.05). The depression, anxiety, and sleep scores in the observation group decreased to 7.21 ± 2.48, 6.12 ± 2.39, and 4.53 ± 1.89, respectively. In the control group, these scores decreased to 11.42 ± 3.12, 10.14 ± 3.21, and 6.21 ± 1.79. The observation group demonstrated superior efficacy (P < 0.05). Depression, anxiety, and sleep quality were significantly positively correlated (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified the TCM hospice care system as an independent factor improving patients' health. CONCLUSION: The TCM hospice care system effectively improves depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders in patients with advanced cancer, offering comprehensive care suitable for clinical promotion and application.