The effect of a multidimensional exercise programme on symptoms and side-effects in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy--the use of semi-structured diaries.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 6-week intervention with structured physical activity, relaxation, body-awareness techniques and massage on the symptoms/side-effects of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The study was prospective and exploratory, and 54 patients completed assessments for all 6 weeks of the intervention. In order to obtain a continuous record of side-effects, a diary was developed for the patients' use throughout the intervention. The patients scored their symptoms/side-effects on a scale from 0 to 4, using the Common Toxicity Criteria and reported these scores in questionnaires. Twelve possible symptoms/side-effects were registered daily: lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, paraesthesia, constipation, physical fatigue, mental fatigue, treatment-related fatigue, muscle pain, arthralgia and other pain. During the intervention a decrease in the scoring for 10 out of the 12 side-effects was found. Statistical significance was observed in the pain score (P=0.046) and the arbitrary-derived sum of the scores for symptoms and side-effects (P=0.036) respectively. Patients with evidence of disease (n=26) had significantly higher levels of symptoms/side-effects than patients with no evidence of disease (n=28) (P=0.027). The results indicate that a six weeks multidimensional exercise intervention undertaken by cancer patients with or without residual disease while undergoing chemotherapy can lead to a reduction in treatment-related symptoms.
Department of Oncology, The University Hospital of Copenhagen, Department 5073, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen O, Denmark. ucsf@ucsf.dk
Christina
C
Andersen
Lis
L
Adamsen
Tom
T
Moeller
Julie
J
Midtgaard
Morten
M
Quist
Anders
A
Tveteraas
Mikael
M
Rorth
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008405:Massage; D005222:Mental Fatigue / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents