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The effect of the recommendation of two different physical activity strategies on fatigue experienced during radiotherapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 August 2006

D. M. Flinton ,
R. J. Thorne ,
S. Waller ,
N. Nelson ,
P. Thapar-Francis  and
P. Cherry
D. M. Flinton
Affiliation:
Department of Radiography, City University, London
R. J. Thorne
Affiliation:
Department of Radiography, City University, London
S. Waller
Affiliation:
Department of Radiography, Essex County Hospital, Colchester
N. Nelson
Affiliation:
Department of Radiography, Essex County Hospital, Colchester
P. Thapar-Francis
Affiliation:
Department of Radiography, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
P. Cherry
Affiliation:
Department of Radiography, City University, London
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Abstract

Patients undergoing cancer treatments, including radiotherapy, frequently report fatigue during their treatment. Recent research indicates that structured exercise programmes can alleviate fatigue and, in light of this research, many centres are now advocating activity as part of the strategy with which to combat fatigue. The aim of this investigation was to see how well this strategy would be received by patients and what effect it would have on fatigue levels. Of the 147 patients who agreed to take part in the study 123 completed all the questionnaires. Fiftyfour of the patients received the standard advice whilst 69 received the modified advice. Fatigue was measured at four time points using the MFI scale. Fatigue scores at the end of treatment were significantly higher than at the start of treatment but there was no difference in fatigue scores between the two groups of patients receiving the different advice. Activity levels between the two groups were comparable, as was their change in activity level compared to normal, indicating a reluctance to use this strategy.

Keywords

Cancer related fatigueradiotherapyphysical activity
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 2 , Issue 4 , March 2002 , pp. 207 - 214
Copyright
2002 Cambridge University Press

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