Brown, P., Clark, M. M., Atherton, P., Huschka, M., Sloan, J. A., Gamble, G., . . . Rummans, T. A. (2006). Will improvement in quality of life (QOL) impact fatigue in patients receiving radiation therapy for advanced cancer? American Journal of Clinical Oncology, 29, 52–58.

The intervention consisted of structured sessions that began with 20 minutes of conditioning exercises conducted by a physical therapist, followed by an educational session with cognitive-behavioral strategies for coping with cancer, and an open discussion with group leaders and other participants. Sessions were balanced with didactic material, a question and answer period, sharing, reflecting, relaxation, and physical activity. Participants attended eight sessions throughout the four weeks following enrollment. The intervention was delivered three days per week. After the fourth week, patients completed quality of life (QOL) questionnaires, and the questionnaires were collected at eight and 27 weeks after enrollment via mail.

• In total, 103 patients (66 male, 37 female) were included.
• Mean age was 59.6 years (range 31–85); 85.7% of patients were older than 50 years.
• The most common dominant disease status was gastrointestinal (36.7%).
• Of the participants, 59.2% were undergoing current chemotherapy, 77.6% were married, and 57.1% were currently employed.

Patients were included if they

• Were diagnosed within the past year
• Had an expected survival time of at least six months
• Had a treatment recommendation of radiation therapy of at least two weeks.

Patients were excluded if they had undergone previous radiation therapy, had recurrent disease after a disease-free period longer than 6 months, or had psychiatric disorders or active suicidality.

Division of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

Patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.

The study was a randomized, stratified, two-group, controlled clinical trial and included a structured intervention arm (n = 49) and a standard medical care arm (n = 54).

• Linear Analogue Self Assessment (LASA)
• Profile of Mood States (POMS)
• Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
• Symptom Distress Scale (SDS)

The intervention had no significant impact on any fatigue measures between the groups. No significant differences were observed at baseline between the groups for fatigue. There were no significant differences in mean fatigue scores between the groups at any week.

The compliance of the patients after the sessions were completed is unknown.