Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Nonpharmacologic approach to fatigue in patients with cancer.

Cancer journal (Sudbury, Mass.)
January 1, 2014
Deirdre R Pachman et al. (3 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the potential of mindfulness-based stress reduction as a nonpharmacologic intervention for cancer-related fatigue.

Results Summary

The abstract suggests mindfulness-based stress reduction appears promising for managing cancer-related fatigue but lacks convincing evidence compared to other interventions like physical activity and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Population

Cancer patients and survivors experiencing fatigue.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (11)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Physical activity
decrease
cancer-related fatigue
patients with moderate to severe fatigue
-
have the most supportive data and can be recommended to patients with confidence
#1
educational interventions
decrease
cancer-related fatigue
patients with moderate to severe fatigue
-
have the most supportive data and can be recommended to patients with confidence
#2
cognitive-behavioral therapy
decrease
cancer-related fatigue
patients with moderate to severe fatigue
-
have the most supportive data and can be recommended to patients with confidence
#3
general education on CRF
decrease
cancer-related fatigue
cancer patients and survivors
-
is something that most care providers can readily offer patients as part of routine care
#4
mindfulness-based stress reduction
decrease
cancer-related fatigue
-
-
appear promising but are as yet lacking convincing evidence
#5
yoga
decrease
cancer-related fatigue
-
-
appear promising but are as yet lacking convincing evidence
#6
acupuncture
decrease
cancer-related fatigue
-
-
appear promising but are as yet lacking convincing evidence
#7
Reiki
decrease
cancer-related fatigue
-
-
may be worthy of further investigation
#8
Qigong
decrease
cancer-related fatigue
-
-
may be worthy of further investigation
#9
hypnosis
decrease
cancer-related fatigue
-
-
may be worthy of further investigation
#10
music therapy
decrease
cancer-related fatigue
-
-
may be worthy of further investigation
#11
Abstract

Cancer-related fatigue is a common yet underappreciated problem with a significant impact on functional ability and quality of life. Practice guidelines mandate that all cancer patients and survivors be screened for cancer-related fatigue (CRF) at regular intervals. Comorbidities that could contribute to fatigue should be treated, and patients with moderate to severe fatigue should undergo a comprehensive evaluation. Nonpharmacologic interventions are important tools to combat CRF and should be incorporated into routine practice. Physical activity, educational interventions, and cognitive-behavioral therapy have the most supportive data and can be recommended to patients with confidence. From a practical standpoint, general education on CRF is something that most care providers can readily offer patients as part of routine care. Other interventions that appear promising but are as yet lacking convincing evidence include mindfulness-based stress reduction, yoga, and acupuncture. Reiki, Qigong, hypnosis, and music therapy may be worthy of further investigation.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Disease ManagementFatigueHumansNeoplasmsPhysical Therapy ModalitiesPsychotherapy
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy60/10
Quality70/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations19
Citations/Year1.7
Relative Citation Ratio0.76
NIH Percentile40.2%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score1.50
Normalized Score0.58
Related Supplements
Nonpharmacologic approach to fatigue in patients with cancer... | Panacea Index