Treatment of radiotherapy-induced fatigue through a nonpharmacological approach.
BACKGROUND
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a frequently occurring, burdensome side effect of radiation therapy that can result in detrimental effects to health-related quality of life (HRQL). The findings from a pilot study examining the efficacy of the complementary and alternative practice of Polarity Therapy (PT) in reducing CRF and improving HRQL are reported.


METHODS
Fifteen women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer and experiencing fatigue were randomized to receive 1, 2, or no PT treatments. Treatments were given 1 week apart to the patients receiving 2 treatments. Fatigue and HRQL were assessed at baseline prior to PT, 3 days following the first PT treatment (week 1), and 3 days following the second PT treatment (week 2).


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant improvement in both CRF and HRQL in the 10 patients who received a PT treatment compared to the 5 control patients at the week 1 assessment. In addition, there was a statistically significant difference among the 3 treatment groups in improvement in CRF at the week 2 assessment. This finding, coupled with a visual inspection of the means, supports the plausibility of a dose response concerning PT.


CONCLUSIONS
Results from this pilot investigation suggest that PT may have a positive influence on CRF and HRQL in women undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer. Randomized, controlled clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed.
Roscoe
Joseph A
JA
University of Rochester, James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 704, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. joseph_roscoe@urmc.rochester.edu
Matteson
Sara E
SE
Mustian
Karen M
KM
Padmanaban
Devi
D
Morrow
Gary R
GR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D019124:Therapeutic Touch; D016896:Treatment Outcome