Effect of Exercise Program on Cancer Related Fatigue and Quality of Life among Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment - Pilot Study (Part-2)

Background: Even after effective treatment, cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most prevalent and debilitating issue for cancer patients. Daily life, social interactions, reintegration, and general quality of life are all severely impacted by CRF.

Aim: This study was done to determine the effect of exercise program on cancer related fatigue (CRF) and quality of life (QOL) among cancer patients on cancer treatment.

Materials and Methods: One group before-and-after study was done among patients with breast cancer, gynecological cancers, and head and neck cancers on cancer treatment who were selected by purposive sampling method, in selected hospital. Pretest CRF was assessed using a FACIT-F scale (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness therapy: Fatigue) and QOL was assessed by FACT-G (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy: General) Version 4 scale.

Results: Majority (60%) of the respondents were had >50 years of age. Maximum percentage of the sample (76.7%) were females and rest of them were males. Maximum percentage (33.3%) of the respondents had breast cancer and least percentage (10%) had neck cancer. The pretest fatigue score of the cancer patients (pre-test mean= 26.27) was lower than post-test fatigue scores (post- test1 =25.87, post -test 2 = 27.40 and post- test 3=29.00). Fatigue scores are interpreted as higher the score lower the fatigue level. Similarly, the mean and standard deviation of the QOL score at post -test 2 (48.60±7.152) which was higher than the pre-test mean and standard deviation (45.23±8.029). Repeated measures ANOVA, indicates that exercise programme is effective in reducing CRF and improving QOL(P=.05).

Conclusion: As per the study findings exercises shows effective in reducing CRF. Hence exercise programs may be used as adjunct therapy for cancer patients on cancer treatment to reduce CRF.