THE EFFECT OF A COMBINATION OF LAVENDER AROMA THERAPY AND ART THERAPY ON FATIGUE AND QUALITY OF LIFE BREAST CANCER PATIENTS WHO UNDERGOING CHEMOTHERAPY

Abstract

Introduction: Chemotherapy drugs are prone to causing destruction of cells with large growth rates. These drugs can also have an impact on several body systems which can cause a person to feel tired and affect a person's quality of life. Fatigue causes disruption of health well-being, affects an individual's ability to tolerate treatment, and disrupts quality of life.

Method: This research consists of two stages, namely the first stage is the preparation of modules by conducting literature studies, field studies and expert consultations. The second stage of research used a quasi-experiment with a pre test - post test design with a purposive sampling technique.

Results: The effect of a combination of lavender aroma therapy and art therapy carried out for seven days was found on fatigue and quality of life in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in the intervention group. This is proven by the difference between pre and post after being given intervention in the treatment group on fatigue and quality of life variables with a p value <0.05. Meanwhile, in the control group there was no effect because the p value was >0.05.

Conclusion: The combination of lavender aromatherapy and art therapy can be an alternative activity for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to reduce fatigue scores and improve quality of life.

Keywords: Lavender Aromatherapy, Art Therapy, Fatigue, Chemotherapy, Quality of Life