2.1. Study participants
This cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 patients with
hematologic and non-hematologic cancers, ages 16 to 80, admitted to the
internal ward of Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex in the fall of
2022. Initial estimates placed the sample size at 145 patients, based on
a study indicating that circadian rhythm disturbances and sleep
disorders were prevalent in 30-75% of cancer patients, or nearly twice
the rate in the general population (25). Five additional patients were
added for a total of 150 to prevent losses. Inclusion criteria were age
15 or older, a cancer diagnosis, consent to participate in the study,
absence of comorbidities, and absence of intubation. Exclusion criteria
were using Melatonin, sedative, and hypnotic medications, significant
cognitive impairment, night-shift workers, and end-stage patients.
This study was conducted per the
Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the
Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex,
Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran, Ethics Committee
(ethics number:
IR.TUMS.IKHC.1398.28). All
patients were informed of the study, and consent forms were obtained.