1,721,065 research outputs found
Recent progress in understanding cancer-related fatigue.
No full textFatigue is increasingly being recognized as one of the most pervasive problems likely to arise from having cancer and/or related treatment. Fatigue occurs regardless of whether an individual is in the early or advanced stages of the disease process. This article will provide a summary of the progress that has been made in recent years in furthering understanding of this symptom. It examines key studies that have been published since 1995 in the following four areas: the experience of fatigue from the patient, family and healthcare provider perspective; development and testing of ways to measure fatigue; examination of the course, causes and correlates of fatigue; and, finally, the development and testing of interventions to prevent, alleviate and manage fatigue
Self-care behaviours initiated by chemotherapy patients in response to fatigue.
No full textPatients receiving chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer frequently experience severe fatigue which is highly disruptive and distressing. Few studies have investigated the strategies which patients personally initiate to enable them to cope with this symptom. This paper reports the results derived from a study designed to monitor and describe patients' fatigue during chemotherapy and the self-care measures taken by them to ameliorate it. Data were collected from 109 subjects receiving different chemotherapy protocols using structured diaries. A variety of self-care behaviours were practised and these frequently included modifying or altering activity and rest patterns and employing strategies of a psychological nature. However, the self-care strategies initiated proved largely ineffective. This study indicates that common-sense measures often prove insufficient. Intervention studies are required to evaluate the best ways for health professionals to assist these patients to live with and adapt to fatigu
Fatigue in patients receiving chemotherapy for advanced cancer
No full textSevere and unremitting fatigue is a common symptom in individuals with advanced disease. Combined with weakness it comprises a syndrome known as asthenia. Asthenia is associated with advanced cancer, and becomes an increasing problem for patients as their disease progresses, having enormous implications for quality of life. <br/
The experience of fatigue and other symptoms in patients receiving chemotherapy
No full textFatigue has been recognized as the most frequently reported symptom of cancer and cancer therapy. There is a lack of research on such aspects as the pattern of fatigue which accompanies treatment, its exacerbating and relieving factors, the different mechanisms of fatigue and its relationship with the factors purported to be related to the fatigue experience. It has been suggested that cancer patients may be those best placed to reveal the likely causes of fatigue. As part of a larger study examining the pattern of fatigue in cancer patients who were undergoing a course of chemotherapy treatment, patients' perceptions of fatigue and tiredness and the nature, pattern and causes of fatigue in relation to cancer and its treatment were obtained. In addition to a diary, interviews were conducted at two time points, at the beginning and end of a cycle of chemotherapy, with over 100 cancer patients. Just under 90% of the sample reported fatigue at some point during a cycle of chemotherapy. The majority of the sample did not consider tiredness and fatigue to constitute the same feelings. Subjects attributed their fatigue to a combination of factors but most frequently mentioned treatment, changes in sleep patterns and other symptoms. Implications for practice and research are outlined
Fatigue: a concept analysis
No full textAbstractFatigue is probably the most common symptom of illness affecting sufferers of both acute and chronic conditions. However, confusion surrounds the definition and use of the term fatigue. As with many other nursing concepts, it is a word that is commonly used in colloquial language. This concept analysis
aims to identify the attributes that are essential to the concept of fatigue, and to distinguish between its colloquial and its nursing usage by following the strategy suggested by Walker and Avant (1995, Strategies for Theory Construction in Nursing, Appleton Lange, London). A review of the literature identifies nursing uses of the term fatigue which reflect and conflict with colloquial
uses. Defining attributes, demonstration cases, antecedents, consequences and empirical referents are identified before a definition of fatigue is developed and proposed for nursing. This clarification of the phenomenon has particular relevance for clinical nursing, future research and the development of
fatigue theories
The role of information in patients' adaptation to chemotherapy and radiotherapy: a review of the literature
No full textThis paper reviews the literature concerning the role of information in facilitating patients' adaptation to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The relationship between information and patient self-efficacy is examined, and the information requirements of cancer patients receiving treatment are reviewed. Finally, studies evaluating informational interventions for patients receiving either chemotherapy or radiotherapy are critiqued before recommendations for practice are formulate
Fatigue in patients with cancer and chronic obstructive airways disease: a phenomenological enquiry
No full textFatigue is frequently experienced by patients with chronic illnesses, and especially by patients with cancer and chronic obstructive airways disease. However, there is a paucity of qualitative research into the experiences of fatigued individuals and, consequently, definitions of fatigue have, to date, been based solely on observation and conjecture. The purpose of this study was to capture a detailed description of the fatigue experienced by individuals with cancer and chronic obstructive airways disease. A phenomenological research design was adopted. The findings presented in this paper depict fatigue as a complex phenomenon. The paper describes the physical and mental sensations embodied in fatigue, the impact of fatigue on everyday functioning, the emotional feelings evoked by fatigue and the impact of fatigue on perceived control. These findings have relevance for clinical nursing and future research
An investigation of the quality of breast cancer information provided on the internet by voluntary organisations in Great Britain
No full textObjective: patients increasingly use the internet to source health information. Voluntary organisations offering information and support often provide such information on their websites. However, the internet is unregulated and information can be of poor quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of breast cancer information provided by 10 Great Britain (GB) voluntary organisations’ websites.Methods: quality of websites was evaluated using an investigator-designed appraisal tool based on European Commission (EC) quality criteria for health-related websites. Completeness and transparency of breast cancer information, and usability of websites, were appraised.Results: typically, breast cancer-specific organisations provided the highest quality information, particularly in terms of its completeness. However, great variability in quality was identified. Areas of weakness related to transparency of information, in particular disclosure of authorship, and its apparent currency.Conclusion: voluntary organisations providing web-based breast cancer information have progress to make to ensure information provided is complete and transparent, and websites are user-friendly. Unfortunately, informed decision-making will not be optimised if patients cannot access quality information.Practice implications: voluntary organisations should regularly review the quality of information on their websites. Grading of websites allows healthcare professionals to identify and signpost patients to trustworthy, up-to-date websites. Thus, ensuring patients receive high quality informatio
A systematic review of complementary and alternative medicine interventions for the management of cancer-related fatigue
No full textFatigue, experienced by patients during and following cancer treatment, is a significant clinical problem. It is a prevalent and distressing symptom yet pharmacological interventions are used little and confer limited benefit for patients. However, many cancer patients use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), and some evidence suggests it may relieve fatigue. A systematic review was conducted to appraise the effectiveness of CAM interventions in ameliorating cancer-related fatigue. Systematic searches of biomedical, nursing, and specialist CAM databases were conducted, including Medline, Embase, and AMED. Included papers described interventions classified as CAM by the National Centre of Complementary and Alternative Medicine and evaluated through randomized controlled trial (RCT) or quasi-experimental design. Twenty studies were eligible for the review, of which 15 were RCTs. Forms of CAM interventions examined included acupuncture, massage, yoga, and relaxation training. The review identified some limited evidence suggesting hypnosis and ginseng may prevent rises in cancer-related fatigue in people undergoing treatment for cancer and acupuncture and that biofield healing may reduce cancer-related fatigue following cancer treatments. Evidence to date suggests that multivitamins are ineffective at reducing cancer-related fatigue. However, trials incorporated within the review varied greatly in quality; most were methodologically weak and at high risk of bias. Consequently, there is currently insufficient evidence to conclude with certainty the effectiveness or otherwise of CAM in reducing cancer-related fatigue. The design and methods employed in future trials of CAM should be more rigorous; increasing the strength of evidence should be a priority
A feasibility study to evaluate a group intervention for people with cancer experiencing fatigue following treatment.
No full textObjectives: to develop and evaluate a pilot multi disciplinary education and support group programme for patients with fatigue post cancer treatment.Design: mixed method feasibility study.Intervention: programme comprised face-to-face nursing assessment followed by 3 support and information giving workshops. Workshops delivered large group support and small group discussion with therapists of participants’ choice. Therapists included a clinical psychologist, nurse, dietician, physiotherapist and occupational therapist.Participants: six subjects with breast cancer.Main outcome measures: the Brief Fatigue Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ C30. Participants completed these prior to, immediately after, and six weeks following, the programme. They also completed a programme evaluation by telephone.Results: preliminary results indicate the programme provided information, support and management strategies for fatigue specifically, and living with cancer generally. Patients appreciated the opportunity to share their experiences whilst at the same time gaining particular help and advice for their own specific problems and concerns. Whilst not reducing the level of fatigue there was some evidence that impact on function was lessened.Conclusions: whilst the number of participants was small, findings from this study are sufficiently encouraging to warrant continuing this service development and its evaluatio
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