Cancer-related fatigue and rehabilitation: a randomized controlled multicenter trial comparing physical training combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy with physical training only and with no intervention.
BACKGROUND
Research suggests that cancer rehabilitation reduces fatigue in survivors of cancer. To date, it is unclear what type of rehabilitation is most beneficial.


OBJECTIVE
This randomized controlled trial compared the effect on cancer-related fatigue of physical training combined with cognitive behavioral therapy with physical training alone and with no intervention.


METHODS
In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, 147 survivors of cancer were randomly assigned to a group that received physical training combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy (PT+CBT group, n=76) or to a group that received physical training alone (PT group, n=71). In addition, a nonintervention control group (WLC group) consisting of 62 survivors of cancer who were on the waiting lists of rehabilitation centers elsewhere was included.


METHODS
The study was conducted at 4 rehabilitation centers in the Netherlands.


METHODS
All patients were survivors of cancer.


METHODS
Physical training consisting of 2 hours of individual training and group sports took place twice weekly, and cognitive-behavioral therapy took place once weekly for 2 hours.


METHODS
Fatigue was assessed with the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory before and immediately after intervention (12 weeks after enrollment). The WLC group completed questionnaires at the same time points.


RESULTS
Baseline fatigue did not differ significantly among the 3 groups. Over time, levels of fatigue significantly decreased in all domains in all groups, except in mental fatigue in the WLC group. Analyses of variance of postintervention fatigue showed statistically significant group effects on general fatigue, on physical and mental fatigue, and on reduced activation but not on reduced motivation. Compared with the WLC group, the PT group reported significantly greater decline in 4 domains of fatigue, whereas the PT+CBT group reported significantly greater decline in physical fatigue only. No significant differences in decline in fatigue were found between the PT+CBT and PT groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical training combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy and physical training alone had significant and beneficial effects on fatigue compared with no intervention. Physical training was equally effective as or more effective than physical training combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy in reducing cancer-related fatigue, suggesting that cognitive-behavioral therapy did not have additional beneficial effects beyond the benefits of physical training.
van Weert
Ellen
E
Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, the Netherlands. e.van.weert@rev.umcg.nl
May
Anne M
AM
Korstjens
Irene
I
Post
Wendy J
WJ
van der Schans
Cees P
CP
van den Borne
Bart
B
Mesters
Ilse
I
Ros
Wynand J G
WJ
Hoekstra-Weebers
Josette E H M
JE
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D009426:Netherlands; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors; D016896:Treatment Outcome