Comparative psychological aspects of two different types of chemotherapeutic administration (chronotherapy vs. traditional chemotherapy) on quality of life of cancer patients at advanced stage.

In addition to qualitative information, specific quantitative psychiatrics tests (regarding anxiety and depression) and objective psychological tests specific to cancer populations were used to compare psychological variables in two groups of metastatic cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. The study also recorded 24 possible symptoms (somatic and psychic) allowing the self-evaluation of individual quality of life. The evaluation was performed at 7 different times (from before the beginning of treatment up to the 6th course). In comparison to traditional treatment, the results showed a better psychosocial adaptation for patients receiving chronoprogrammed administration of anticancer medication, with better social relations, less feelings of loss of independence, less anxiety, depression, and somatic discomfort.