After stomach cancer surgery, patients who received special help with sleep and nutrition recovered better than those who got standard care alone. Researchers studied 290 patients and found that those in the treatment group slept better, had less pain, felt less anxious and depressed, and reported better overall quality of life within 15 days after surgery. The treatment included relaxation exercises, calming music, a better sleep environment, and improved meals designed to help their bodies heal. This suggests that paying extra attention to sleep and nutrition after major surgery could be an important part of helping patients bounce back faster.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether helping stomach cancer surgery patients sleep better and eat better food would help them recover faster and feel better overall
  • Who participated: 290 patients who had stomach cancer surgery at a hospital in China. Half received special sleep help and nutrition support (145 people), and half received regular care (145 people). All were measured 15 days after their surgery.
  • Key finding: Patients who got the sleep and nutrition help had better sleep quality, gained more strength from better nutrition, experienced less pain, felt less anxious and depressed, and reported better quality of life compared to those who got standard care only
  • What it means for you: If you or someone you know is having stomach cancer surgery, asking doctors about sleep support and specialized nutrition might help with recovery. However, this was one study at one hospital, so talk with your medical team about what’s right for your specific situation.

The Research Details

This was a randomized controlled trial, which is considered one of the strongest types of medical research. Researchers split 290 stomach cancer patients into two equal groups by random chance. One group (145 patients) received a special program that included relaxation training to help them relax, calming music to listen to, changes to their hospital room to help them sleep better, and sometimes a mild sleep medication for up to two weeks if needed. They also received specially designed meals to help their bodies heal. The other group (145 patients) received the hospital’s normal care without these extras.

Both groups were measured at the start and then again 15 days after surgery. Doctors checked their sleep quality using a standard questionnaire, measured their nutrition by checking body weight and blood protein levels, measured their pain using a simple scale, checked their mood and anxiety levels, and asked about their overall quality of life.

Because patients were randomly assigned to groups, this helps prove that any differences between the groups were likely caused by the treatment itself, not by other factors. This type of study design is very reliable for testing whether a treatment actually works.

After major surgery like stomach cancer treatment, patients often struggle with sleep problems, poor nutrition, pain, and emotional stress. These problems can slow down healing and make recovery harder. By testing whether a combined approach of better sleep and nutrition could help, researchers were looking for practical ways to improve patient outcomes. If this approach works, hospitals could use it to help all their surgery patients recover better.

This study has several strengths: it used random assignment to avoid bias, it had a good-sized group of 290 patients, it measured multiple important outcomes (not just one thing), and it was conducted at a major hospital with proper medical oversight. The study was completed between 2021 and 2023, so the information is recent. One limitation is that it was done at only one hospital in China, so results might be different in other places or hospitals. Also, 15 days is a relatively short time to measure recovery—longer follow-up would show if benefits lasted.

What the Results Show

Both groups of patients improved after surgery, which is normal and expected. However, the group that received the special sleep and nutrition program improved significantly more than the group receiving standard care.

For sleep quality, the treatment group had much better sleep scores compared to the control group. This is important because good sleep helps the body heal after surgery. The treatment group also showed better nutrition recovery, with greater improvements in blood protein levels and body weight, meaning their bodies were rebuilding strength faster.

Pain levels dropped in both groups, but the treatment group had lower pain scores, suggesting the combined approach helped manage discomfort better. When it came to mood, the treatment group had lower anxiety and depression scores, meaning they felt emotionally better during recovery. Finally, when asked about their overall quality of life, patients in the treatment group reported feeling significantly better than those in the control group.

The study measured several specific blood markers that show how well the body is healing and rebuilding itself. The treatment group showed better improvements in these markers, including albumin, total protein, and prealbumin—all substances the body needs to repair tissues and build strength. These improvements suggest that the enhanced nutrition program was helping patients’ bodies actually heal at a faster rate, not just feel better. The combination of better sleep and better nutrition appeared to work together to support the body’s natural healing processes.

Previous research has shown that sleep and nutrition are both important for recovery after surgery, but most studies looked at them separately. This study is valuable because it tested whether combining both approaches together would be even more helpful than either one alone. The results support what doctors have suspected—that taking care of the whole patient (sleep, nutrition, pain, and emotions) works better than just treating one aspect. This aligns with modern thinking about patient care that focuses on the complete person, not just the surgery itself.

This study was conducted at only one hospital in China, so the results might not apply exactly the same way in other countries or hospitals with different practices. The study only followed patients for 15 days after surgery, which is a short time. We don’t know if the benefits lasted longer or if there were any problems that showed up later. The study didn’t compare the cost of this program versus standard care, so we don’t know if the benefits are worth the extra expense. Also, some patients might have known they were in the treatment group, which could have affected how they felt or reported their symptoms. Finally, the study didn’t test whether all parts of the program were equally important—we don’t know if the music, relaxation training, room changes, and nutrition were all necessary or if some parts were more helpful than others.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, if you’re having stomach cancer surgery, it’s reasonable to ask your medical team about programs that help with sleep quality and nutrition during recovery. The evidence suggests these approaches may help you feel better and recover faster. However, this is one study, so discuss with your doctors what options are available at your hospital and what makes sense for your specific health situation. The sleep medication mentioned in the study should only be used under doctor supervision and for a short time. Confidence level: Moderate—this is good evidence from a well-designed study, but more research at different hospitals would strengthen the findings.

This research is most relevant to people preparing for or recovering from stomach cancer surgery. It may also be helpful for anyone having major abdominal surgery, though the study specifically tested stomach cancer patients. Family members and caregivers should know about this because they can help support better sleep and nutrition during recovery. Hospital staff and doctors should consider whether they can offer similar programs to their patients. People with other types of cancer or surgery might benefit from similar approaches, but they should check with their doctors about what’s proven for their specific situation.

In this study, improvements were measured at 15 days after surgery. Most patients showed noticeable benefits by this point, including better sleep within the first week or two and improved mood and pain levels within two weeks. However, full recovery from stomach cancer surgery typically takes several weeks to months. The benefits measured at 15 days suggest that starting these interventions right after surgery and continuing them for at least the first two weeks appears important. Longer-term benefits beyond 15 days weren’t measured in this study.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily sleep quality using a simple 1-10 scale, record pain levels at the same time each day, and log meals eaten to monitor nutrition intake. In the app, create a post-surgery recovery dashboard that shows these three metrics together, allowing users to see how sleep, nutrition, and pain are connected during their recovery period.
  • Use the app to set daily reminders for relaxation exercises (even 5-10 minutes of deep breathing), create a playlist of calming music to listen to before bed, log meals that are high in protein to support healing, and track sleep times. The app could suggest specific, easy relaxation techniques and provide a simple meal planning feature with protein-rich food ideas appropriate for post-surgery recovery.
  • Set up weekly check-ins where the app reviews trends in sleep, pain, and nutrition together. Create alerts if sleep quality drops or pain increases, as these might indicate the need to adjust the recovery plan. Track progress toward specific goals like ‘improve sleep score by 20%’ or ‘reach daily protein target’ over a 2-4 week recovery period. Share this data with healthcare providers to help them monitor recovery progress between appointments.

This research describes a specific medical intervention for stomach cancer surgery patients. This information is educational and should not replace advice from your doctor or medical team. Before starting any sleep medication, nutrition program, or recovery intervention, discuss it with your healthcare provider to ensure it’s appropriate for your individual health situation. If you are preparing for or recovering from surgery, work with your medical team to develop a recovery plan tailored to your needs. This study was conducted at one hospital and results may vary in different settings. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making changes to your medical care.