Effect of dance on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life

Abstract

Cancer-related fatigue is a multidimensional symptom with an underestimated prevalence and severity in cancer patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of dance as a holistic sportive activity in cancer patients under active anticancer treatment with fatigue as endpoint. Forty patients under active anticancer treatment (adjuvant (25), palliative (11) or neoadjuvant (4)) with moderate or severe fatigue (≥ 4 on the visual analogue scale) were investigated in two groups for severity of fatigue (visual analogue scale, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy: Fatigue questionnaire), quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Quality of Life Questionnaire) and physical performance (6-minute walk test) before and after the study period--group A (n = 20): intervention (10 dance classes in 5 weeks in addition to counselling) and group B (n = 20): control (no dance, standard of care, counselling). We found significant improvements for cancer-related fatigue in the intervention group (baseline mean ± SD 5.95 ± 1.701, end-of-study mean 3.8 ± 1.542, p = 0.001, reduction of 36 %) compared to the control group (baseline mean 4.95 ± 0.999, end-of-study mean unchanged at 5.0 ± 1.556, p = 0.887); as well as for emotional and social functioning scales and physical performance (p < 0.05). Dance might be an appropriate, effective approach for treatment of cancer-related fatigue.