Zhang, B., Dong, J.N., Sun, P., Feng, C., & Liu, Y.C. (2017). Effect of therapeutic care for treating fatigue in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. Medicine, 96, e7750.

DOI Link

Study Purpose

The purpose was to evaluate the effect of therapeutic care (TC) with acupressure on fatigue in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy.

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

Patients were randomized to the intervention or sham control arm. The intervention consisted of acupressure to three points related to energy in the human body (bilateral Hegu, Zusanli, & Sanyinjiao) administered 30 minutes per day, 10 minutes per point, 3 days a week for 12 weeks. Sham control included three points reported to have no relationship to alleviate cancer-related fatigue, first metacarpal head, patella, and inner ankle with same treatment administration, frequency, and duration. Fatigue, anxiety, depression, and sleep were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.

Sample Characteristics

  • N = 48 
  • AGE: Mean age of the intervention group was 51.8 years (SD = 9.6) and control was 52.4 years (SD = 9.3).
  • FEMALES: 100% 
  • CURRENT TREATMENT: Chemotherapy
  • KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Breast cancer, actively receiving chemotherapy    
  • OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: s/p lumpectomy or mastectomy, did not take herbs or supplements, and did not report medication-related fatigue

Setting

  • SITE: Single site
  • SETTING TYPE: Not specified    
  • LOCATION: China

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment

Study Design

Randomized control trial

Measurement Instruments/Methods

Multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

Results

For those in the intervention group, fatigue improved statistically (p < 0.01) at 6 weeks and maintained improvement at 12 weeks (p < 0.01). Anxiety, depression, and sleep quality improved at 12 weeks (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Acupressure may be an effective method or type of complementary and alternative therapy in improving fatigue, anxiety, depression, and sleep in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy.

Limitations

  • Small sample (< 100)
  • Subject withdrawals ≥ 10%  
  • Other limitations or explanation: Single site, all Chinese patients

Nursing Implications

Acupressure focused on points known to help energy may be useful in treating cancer-related fatigue, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality.