Predictors of the trajectories of self-reported attentional fatigue in women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine how attentional fatigue changed from the time of simulation to four months after the completion of radiation therapy and to investigate whether specific variables predicted initial levels and trajectories of attentional fatigue.


METHODS
Descriptive, longitudinal study.


METHODS
Two radiation therapy departments.


METHODS
73 women with breast cancer who received primary or adjuvant radiation therapy.


METHODS
Participants completed questionnaires prior to, during, and after radiation therapy. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical linear modeling were used for data analysis.


METHODS
Attentional fatigue; demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics.


RESULTS
Large amounts of interindividual variability were found in the trajectories of attentional fatigue. At baseline, higher levels of attentional fatigue were associated with younger age, not working, a higher number of comorbidities, and higher levels of trait anxiety. The trajectory of attentional fatigue improved over time for women with higher body mass index at baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is the first to identify predictors of interindividual variability in attentional fatigue in women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy. The predictors should be considered in the design of future correlational and interventional studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses could use knowledge of the predictors to identify patients at risk for higher levels of attentional fatigue. In addition, nurses could use the information to educate patients about how attentional fatigue may change during and following radiation therapy for breast cancer.
Merriman
John D
JD
School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
Jansen
Catherine
C
Koetters
Theresa
T
West
Claudia
C
Dodd
Marylin
M
Lee
Kathryn
K
Paul
Steven M
SM
Aouizerat
Bradley E
BE
Cooper
Bruce A
BA
Swift
Patrick S
PS
Wara
William
W
Miaskowski
Christine
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000451:nursing*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires