Effect of standardized exercise program on reported fatigue in patients of cancer receiving chemotherapy

Abstract

Context: Fatigue is an important symptom of cancer as well as a major side-effect of chemotherapy and is one of the main causes of decrease in physical performance brought on by the disease and its treatment. Several researches have been conducted to study the effect of exercise on relieving cancer related fatigue (CRF). This study will look into the effectiveness of exercise in reducing fatigue in patients of cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Aims: The aim was to study effect of a standard exercise program on fatigue in cancer patients on chemotherapy. Settings and Design: This was a case-control study conducted in a rural hospital setting. Materials and Methods: The case group was given an exercise intervention for 15 days and the control group was not given any intervention. The fatigue scores of both groups were assessed with the help of a Fatigue Severity Scale questionnaire 3 times during this time and compared. Statistical Analysis Used : An independent samples t-test was done to compare fatigue scores. Results: Fatigue scores collected from case and control group on the 15 th day showed statistical significance (t = 3.40 and P = 0.002). Conclusions: The study suggested that exercise was an effective intervention is reducing CRF in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Further research is required to establish the type and duration of exercise that can provide optimum relief and alleviate the effects produced by CRF.