Researchers studied 157 colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy to see if combining emotional support with special nutrition could help them feel better. One group received focused psychological care (like counseling and stress management) along with a special feeding tube nutrition plan, while the other group received standard care. The results were encouraging: patients who received both the emotional support and nutrition showed less anxiety and depression, felt more resilient, had better nutrition levels, experienced fewer side effects like nausea and vomiting, and reported a better overall quality of life. This suggests that treating the whole person—mind and body—during cancer treatment may be more effective than treating just the physical illness.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether combining emotional support and specialized nutrition helps colorectal cancer patients feel better during chemotherapy treatment
- Who participated: 157 colorectal cancer patients getting chemotherapy for the first time between 2019 and 2024. The group was split into two: 80 patients receiving emotional support plus nutrition support, and 77 patients receiving standard care
- Key finding: Patients who received both emotional support and nutrition support had significantly less anxiety and depression, felt more emotionally strong, had better nutrition levels, experienced fewer side effects, and reported better quality of life compared to those receiving standard care
- What it means for you: If you or a loved one is undergoing chemotherapy for colorectal cancer, asking for emotional support services and specialized nutrition care may help reduce stress, manage side effects better, and improve overall well-being during treatment. However, this is one study, so talk with your medical team about whether this approach is right for your situation
The Research Details
This was a retrospective cohort study, which means researchers looked back at records of patients who had already completed their treatment. They compared two groups of colorectal cancer patients: one group that received focused psychological care (emotional support, stress management, counseling) combined with enteral nutrition (special nutrition delivered through a feeding tube), and another group that received routine nursing care only. The study included 157 patients total treated between May 2019 and October 2024 at an oncology (cancer) department.
The researchers measured several things in both groups: anxiety and depression levels using standard questionnaires, psychological resilience (how well people bounced back emotionally), nutritional status using multiple measures including weight, protein levels in the blood, and muscle thickness, complication rates (side effects like nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea), and quality of life using a standard cancer quality-of-life scale.
Before the intervention, the two groups were similar in terms of age, gender, disease severity, and other important characteristics, which helps make the comparison fair.
This research approach matters because it looks at real-world patient outcomes rather than just laboratory results. By comparing two similar groups of patients receiving different types of care, researchers can see whether the combination of emotional support and nutrition actually makes a practical difference in how patients feel and function during cancer treatment. Understanding what helps patients cope better during chemotherapy is important because side effects and emotional distress can affect whether patients continue their treatment and how well they recover.
This study has several strengths: it included a reasonable number of patients (157), compared two similar groups, and measured multiple important outcomes. However, it also has limitations: it looked back at past records rather than following patients forward in time, there was no random assignment to groups (which could introduce bias), and it was conducted at a single hospital, so results may not apply everywhere. The researchers did verify that the two groups were similar at the start, which strengthens the comparison.
What the Results Show
The patients who received focused psychological care combined with nutrition support showed dramatically better emotional health compared to those receiving standard care. Their anxiety scores were significantly lower, and their depression scores were also significantly lower (both with P <.001, meaning these differences were very unlikely to happen by chance). These patients also showed much better psychological resilience—meaning they were better able to cope with stress and bounce back emotionally from difficult experiences.
On the nutrition side, the patients receiving the combined care had better nutritional status across multiple measures. Their body weight was better maintained, their blood protein levels (including albumin and prealbumin) were higher, and their overall nutritional assessment scores were better. These improvements are important because good nutrition helps the body tolerate chemotherapy better and recover more quickly.
The patients receiving combined care also experienced fewer side effects from chemotherapy. They had lower rates of nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, bloating, diarrhea, and phlebitis (vein inflammation). This is significant because these side effects can make treatment harder to tolerate and may cause patients to skip doses or stop treatment entirely.
Finally, patients in the combined care group reported better quality of life, including better emotional well-being and better ability to function in daily activities. This suggests that the approach helped them maintain a better sense of normalcy and well-being during a difficult time.
The study also found that the combination approach appeared to help patients maintain better overall health status during treatment. The improvements in nutritional markers suggest that patients were better able to eat and absorb nutrients despite the challenges of chemotherapy. The reduction in complications like nausea and vomiting may have been partly due to the psychological support helping patients manage these symptoms, and partly due to better nutrition supporting their body’s ability to handle treatment. The overall pattern suggests that addressing both emotional and physical needs together creates benefits that go beyond what either approach alone might achieve.
Previous research has shown that both psychological support and good nutrition are individually helpful for cancer patients. This study adds to that evidence by showing that combining these approaches may be more effective than either one alone. The findings align with a growing understanding in cancer care that treating the whole person—addressing emotional, psychological, and physical needs together—leads to better outcomes than focusing only on the disease itself. This supports what many cancer centers are moving toward: comprehensive care that includes mental health support alongside medical treatment.
Several important limitations should be considered when interpreting these results. First, this was a retrospective study looking back at past records, which means researchers couldn’t control all the factors that might have influenced outcomes. Second, patients weren’t randomly assigned to groups, so there might be unmeasured differences between the groups that affected results. Third, the study was conducted at a single hospital, so results may not apply to all patients or all treatment settings. Fourth, the study doesn’t tell us exactly which parts of the psychological care were most helpful or how much nutrition support was needed. Finally, we don’t know how long the benefits lasted after treatment ended, since this study only looked at the treatment period.
The Bottom Line
For colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: Consider asking your medical team about psychological support services (such as counseling, stress management, or support groups) combined with nutritional support. The evidence suggests this combination may help reduce anxiety and depression, improve nutrition, reduce side effects, and improve quality of life. Confidence level: Moderate—this is one well-designed study, but more research would strengthen the evidence. Work with your oncology team to determine what specific services are available and appropriate for your situation.
This research is most relevant to: colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, their families and caregivers, oncology nurses and doctors, and cancer treatment centers. The findings may also be relevant to patients with other types of cancer, though this study specifically looked at colorectal cancer. If you have a different type of cancer or are in a different stage of treatment, talk with your medical team about how these findings might apply to you.
Based on this study, improvements in anxiety and depression appeared relatively quickly after starting the combined care approach, though the exact timeline isn’t specified. Nutritional improvements and reduction in side effects also appeared during the treatment period. However, this study doesn’t tell us how long benefits last after treatment ends or how quickly improvements might occur in different patients. Individual results will vary based on the specific treatment plan, overall health, and other factors.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track anxiety and mood levels daily using a simple 1-10 scale, along with daily side effects (nausea, appetite, energy level). Also track nutritional intake by logging meals and snacks consumed. This creates a clear picture of how emotional support and nutrition are affecting your overall well-being during treatment.
- Use the app to set reminders for: (1) daily psychological wellness activities like guided meditation or journaling, (2) scheduled meals and nutrition supplements, (3) appointments with counselors or support groups, and (4) check-ins with your care team about how you’re managing emotionally and physically.
- Create a dashboard that shows trends over time for mood, anxiety levels, side effect frequency, and nutritional intake. Share these trends with your medical team during appointments to help them understand what’s working well and what might need adjustment. This data-driven approach helps ensure you’re getting the full benefit of the combined care approach.
This research describes one study of a specific treatment approach for colorectal cancer patients. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your oncologist or medical team before making changes to your cancer treatment plan or adding new support services. The findings apply specifically to colorectal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and may not apply to other cancer types or treatment stages. Individual results vary based on many factors including overall health, specific cancer characteristics, and treatment protocols. If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, or nutritional challenges during cancer treatment, discuss these concerns with your healthcare provider who can recommend appropriate interventions tailored to your specific situation.