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Abstract
Objective to identify the frequency of fatigue and domains affected in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy, at the beginning, middle and end of treatment.Method longitudinal and prospective study of quasi-experimental design, involving 60 patients with head and neck cancer. It should be highlighted that this article will address only the data of the Control Group. The dependent variables were collected through interview, using the revised Piper Fatigue Scale, which is a multidimensional instrument that assesses global, behavioral, affective and sensory/psychological domains. Data analysis was based on absolute and relative frequencies.Results there was a predominance of males, age group between 41-60 years, low level of education and in regular use of alcohol and cigarettes. All domains in the fatigue scale had their scores increased, presenting median values of greater magnitude in Time 2 and Time 3, when compared to the Time 1 values, indicating an increase in fatigue levels during radiation therapy.Conclusion fatigue increased in the course of the radiation therapy, having all domains affected. Therefore, its evaluation throughout the treatment is important, as fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom on cancer patients.
Highlights
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and is considered a major public health problem nowadays
Objective: to identify the frequency of fatigue and domains affected in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy, at the beginning, middle and end of treatment
This research is part of the study “Relaxation with guided imagery: influence on fatigue and health-related quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer during radiotherapy treatment”, whose general objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of Integrative and Complementary Practices (ICP) of relaxation and guided imagery as a strategy proposed for reducing fatigue and improving health-related quality of life
Summary
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, and is considered a major public health problem nowadays. The term head and neck cancer (HNC) refers to a heterogeneous group of neoplasms affecting the upper aerodigestive tract, and has as predominant histological type the squamous cell carcinoma, which comprises about 90% of the cases[2]. HNC affects regions that are responsible for basic functions such as breathing, swallowing and verbal communication. Complications in these regions resulting from cancer and its treatment may lead to mutilation and physiological changes, as difficulties chewing, dysphagia, aspiration, changes in speech and aesthetic changes that negatively compromise the physical and psychosocial aspects of these patients[3,4]. Several factors are evaluated, such as metastasization, location and size of the tumor, with the purpose of preserving the organs, the functionality and the aesthetic issues[5]
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