Andersen, C., Rørth, M., Ejlertsen, B., Stage, M., Møller, T., Midtgaard, J., . . . Adamsen, L. (2013). The effects of a six-week supervised multimodal exercise intervention during chemotherapy on cancer-related fatigue. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 17, 331–339.
To evaluate whether a six-week supervised multimodal exercise intervention can reduce cancer-related fatigue levels.
The intervention involved having patients exercise for 2.25 hours for four days per week for a total of six weeks in a group session of dynamic exercises using heavy resistance, cardiovascular training, relaxation techniques, body awareness (i.e., stretching, breathing, yoga, and Pilates), and massage. The study was wait-list controlled.
Patients were undergoing the active antitumor treatment phase of care.
This was a randomized, controlled trial.
Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Anaemia Questionnaire (FACT-An)
Improvement occurred in fatigue score in the intervention compared to the control (p = 0.002; effect size = 0.44). FACT-An subscale score (13 items were related to fatigue, and seven were indirectly related) was also improved in the intervention compared to the control (p = 0.015). FACT-An improved (p = 0.009), and Anemia-ANS improved (p = 0.002). Well-being scores of Quality of Life (QOL) scores showed no difference.
Supervised exercise can have an effect on fatigue levels for patients during chemotherapy. Specific diagnoses and fatigue after treatment were not evaluated.
Patients experiencing fatigue during active treatment may benefit from supervised multimodal exercise.