title: Perceived needs for different components in a rehabilitation program among cancer survivors with chronic fatigue compared to survivors without chronic fatigue.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Knowledge about the user' needs is important to develop targeted rehabilitation for cancer patients with chronic fatigue (CF). The aims of the study were to examine prevalence of CF in cancer survivors attending an one-week inpatient educational program (IEP) and to identify characteristics of those with CF. Further to examine the perceived needs for different components in a rehabilitation program, need of complex rehabilitation (at least two components) and aspects of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among survivors with CF versus those without CF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cancer survivors ≥18 years, diagnosed with different types of cancer within the last 10 years and attending a one-week IEP were invited to this cross-sectional study. CF was assessed by the Fatigue Questionnaire, perceived needs by asking a question about needs for different components in a rehabilitation program and HRQoL was assessed by The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 564 participants, 45% reported CF. Breast cancer, mixed cancer types (including small groups with different cancer types) and comorbidities increased the risk for having CF. Compared to participants without CF, the participants with CF reported more frequently need for physical training (86% vs. 65%, p < 0.001), physiotherapy (71% vs. 55%, p < 0.001) and nutrition counseling (68% vs. 53%, p = 0.001). Among participants with CF, 75% reported need for three or more components whereas 54% reported need for the same number of components among those without CF (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Almost half of the cancer survivors attending the IEP had CF. Physical training, physiotherapy and nutrition counseling were the most frequently reported needs and significantly more often observed in participants with CF than without CF. A higher percentage of those with CF reported need for a complex rehabilitation compared to those without CF. More research is necessary to obtain more knowledge to further make targeted programs to better match cancer survivors' needs.
authors.affiliation: a National Advisory Unit on Late Effects after Cancer Treatment, Department of Oncology , Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Gunhild M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Gjerset
authors.affiliation: b Regional Centre for Excellence in Palliative Care, Department of Oncology , Oslo University Hospital and Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Jon H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Loge
authors.affiliation: a National Advisory Unit on Late Effects after Cancer Treatment, Department of Oncology , Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Cecilie E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Kiserud
authors.affiliation: a National Advisory Unit on Late Effects after Cancer Treatment, Department of Oncology , Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Sophie D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Fosså
authors.affiliation: c Montebello-Center, The Norwegian Resource Center for Coping with Cancer , Mesnali , Norway.
authors.forename: Sævar B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Gudbergsson
authors.affiliation: d Centre for Health Promotion and Resources, Department of Social Work and Health Science, NTNU, Trondheim and Research and Development Group , LHL Clinics , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Line M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Oldervoll
authors.affiliation: e Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology , Oslo University Hospital and Department of Health Management and Health Economics, University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Torbjørn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wisløff
authors.affiliation: a National Advisory Unit on Late Effects after Cancer Treatment, Department of Oncology , Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Lene
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thorsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D017741:Survivors