Abstract P2-12-09: Psycho-oncological intervention in breast cancer patients - A quantitative analysis of tumor associated fatigue treatment

Abstract

Abstract Abstract Background: Although tumor associated fatigue (TAF) or cancer related fatigue (CRF) is not a new concept, no real headway has been made in the quantitative analysis of its successful treatment. Since 20 to 30% of all breast cancer patients suffer from anxiety and/or depression within the first year of their diagnosis, this issue needs to be addressed and a standard treatment protocol has to be developed. Multimodal approaches are currently being used including increased physical activity, pharmaceutical therapy, and psycho-oncological intervention. This study focused on developing a simple, reproducible protocol for the psycho-oncological support of tumor associated fatigue patients. Methods: Between the year 2011 and 2012, 23 breast cancer patients fulfilled the diagnosis TAF requirements and were introduced into this study. All patients had received surgery and were currently being monitored in an adjuvant setting. Our method focused on a psycho-oncological support group using a predetermined, highly structured and reproducible treatment manual. Eight weekly, 90 minute sessions were conducted and patients were evaluated before and after this eight session block. Tumor fatigue specific questionnaires such as the multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI) as well as the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) were used in order to quantitatively evaluate patient TAF. Results: Of the 23 patients enrolled in the study, only 7 patients fulfilled the TAF diagnostic criteria after the psycho-oncological group treatment. This represents a 70% reduction in diagnosable tumor associated fatigue. The HADS analysis showed a 33% reduction in patient anxiety as well as a 57% reduction in patient depression levels. The MFI scores showed a significant reduction in 4 of the 5 evaluate categories. With the exception of the "mental fatigue" MFI category all results were statistically significant. Conclusion: This study showed that a highly structured, psycho-oncological group intervention will produce significant improvements in breast cancer patient tumor associated fatigue levels after only 8 sessions. This type of group therapy should be recommended as a standard of care for all TAF breast cancer patients. Citation Format: Christian Eichler, Pia Multhaupt, Sibylle Multhaupt, Friedrich Wolff, Mathias Warm. Psycho-oncological intervention in breast cancer patients - A quantitative analysis of tumor associated fatigue treatment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-12-09.