Effects of a trans-theoretical model-based structured psychoeducational continuing care program in adult patients with acute Leukemia.

OBJECTIVE

We explored the effects of continuation care based on trans-theoretical model (TTM) in adult patients with acute leukemia (AL).

METHODS

Patients with AL who had been discharged from our hospital were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 68) and intervention group (n = 74). The control group received routine nursing, while the intervention group received a structured psychoeducational follow-up program based on the Transtheoretical Model (TTM). 2 months after intervention, the quality of life (QoL), mood, self-care ability, and incidence of complications were assessed and compared. The patients were then followed up for 18 months to observe their long-term survival.

RESULTS

The incidence of complications was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group, whereas the QoL scores, positive mood scores, and self-nursing ability scores were higher (P < 0.05). At a median follow-up of 18 months, the overall survival was significantly better in the intervention group than in the control group (P = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

The Program effectively reduced the incidence of complications and improved the QoL, emotional well-being, and self-nursing ability, thereby offering certain advantages in enhancing the AL patients' survival rates.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The TTM-based continuation care can be implemented to improve the QoL in patients with AL, and is worth promoting.