This study evaluated a supportive intervention for fatigue in patients undergoing chemotherapy. One hundred three chemotherapy-naïve patients were recruited, stratified by treatment regimen, and randomly allocated to intervention or usual care. The intervention was conducted over three months. Recipients were provided with an investigator-designed information pack and Fatigue Diary that they completed during the week following each treatment. Additionally, support nurses visited them monthly at home. They assessed fatigue, provided psychological support, and coached participants in self-care. The intervention group reported significantly less fatigue (P < 0.05), lower associated distress (P < 0.05), and less impact of fatigue on valued pastimes (P < 0.05) than the control group. Further, they reported significantly less anxiety (P < 0.05) and depression (P < 0.05) and displayed more adaptive coping (P < 0.05). The intervention enabled patients to adapt to living with fatigue and contributed to their psychological/emotional well-being and ability to cope with their illness and treatment.
A pilot study was conducted to develop and test a nursing intervention to facilitate the management of fatigue in patients receiving chemotherapy. The intervention, named the "Beating Fatigue" program, has 4 elements: assessment/monitoring, education, coaching in the management of fatigue, and provision of emotional support. Beating Fatigue was implemented with and evaluated by 8 patients. Overall, patients were very positive about the program and perceived the opportunity to talk to someone about fatigue as the most beneficial strategy within the program, although individual patients varied in which aspect they most preferred. Data from the pilot work supported the view that a multifaceted approach to the management of cancer-related fatigue is appropriate because it enables an intervention package to be tailored to an individual's requirements. The approach appeared both feasible and practical. Although numeric data were limited, there was some evidence that the approach had the capacity to lessen fatigue and enhance emotional well-being.
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