Effect of aerobic exercise and relaxation training on fatigue and physical performance of cancer patients after surgery. A randomised controlled trial

Fatigue is a frequent problem after surgical treatment of solid tumours. Aerobic exercise and psychosocial interventions have been shown to reduce the severity of this symptom in cancer patients. Therefore, we compared the effect of the two therapies on fatigue in a randomised controlled study. Seventy-two patients who underwent surgery for lung (n=27) or gastrointestinal tumours (n=42) were assigned to an aerobic exercise group (stationary biking 30 min five times weekly) or a progressive relaxation training group (45 min three times per week). Both interventions were carried out for 3 weeks. At the beginning and the end of the study, we evaluated physical, cognitive and emotional status and somatic complaints with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core Module (EORTC-QLQ-30) questionnaire, and maximal physical performance with an ergometric stress test. Physical performance of the training group improved significantly during the programme (9.4±20 watts, p=0.01) but remained unchanged in the relaxation group (1.5±14.8 watts, p=0.37). Fatigue and global health scores improved in both groups during the intervention (fatigue: training group 21%, relaxation group 19%; global health of both groups 19%, p for all 0.01); however, there was no significant difference between changes in the scores of both groups (p=0.67). We conclude that a structured aerobic training programme improves the physical performance of patients recovering from surgery for solid tumours. However, exercise is not better than progressive relaxation training for the treatment of fatigue in this setting.     

A cross-sectional investigation of fatigue in advanced renal cell carcinoma treatment: Results from the FAMOUS study

ObjectiveWith an increasing choice of new treatment options, the management of side effects to maintain a chosen treatment if likely to be effective on the tumor remains important. The perception of side effects however varies between the physician and the patient, leading to possible wrong assumptions on tolerability that result in dose modifications, which may ultimately affect effectiveness. The aim was to assess fatigue in patients with advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by comparing the evaluation of the physician to the one provided by their respective patient. In addition, we aimed to assess possible influences of fatigue on parameters of quality of life.MethodsPatients receiving systemic treatment for advanced RCC and their physicians were questioned independently regarding incidence and severity of fatigue and its effect on quality of life.ResultsBoth physicians and patients completed 98 matching questionnaires. Patients were treated with sunitinib, sorafenib, bevacizumab combined with interferon alpha, temsirolimus, everolimus, or interferon alpha alone. Incidence and severity of fatigue was differently assessed by patients and physicians, with fatigue being more severe when reported by the patient. The severity of fatigue increased with progressing treatment lines. Quality of life was significantly lower in patients experiencing fatigue compared with patients without fatigue. Emotional, functional, and physical well-being were all affected by fatigue, the latter being the most affected subscale. Social well-being was least affected.ConclusionFatigue is a complex and cumulative condition of patients treated for advanced RCC, and it considerably affects patient's quality of life. As many of its underlying causes may be treated, the divergent perception of occurrence and severity of fatigue should be integrated in treatment concepts. The active role of the patient in helping to manage ailments through assessment should be implemented when optimizing treatment of RCC.     

Depression in Behçet’s disease patients: Relationship with disease pattern,activity and quality of life

Aim of the workTo determine the frequency of depression in Behçet’s disease (BD) patients and to clarify its burden on patients’ clinical manifestations, disease activity status and quality of life (QoL).Patients and methods35 BD patients with 35 matched control were included in this study. Disease activity was assessed by Behçet Syndrome Activity Score (BSAS). All participants were requested to complete the Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS), Multidimensional assessment of fatigue (MAF) questionnaire and the short form-36 (SF-36) QoL Scale.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 40.3 ± 13.5 years (17–72 years) and they were 27 males and 8 females. The frequency of depression in BD patients was 74.3% with increased male frequency (p = 0.007) and major organ involvement (p = 0.04) among depressed patients. Significant differences (p < 0.001, p = 0.04, p = 0.001 respectively) between depressed and non depressed BD patients with respect to BSAS, MAF and SF-36. Highly significant positive correlations between HDRS and number of major organ, BSAS, MAF, (p < 0.001) and significant correlation with number of non major organs (r = 0.3, p = 0.04). Significant negative associations were observed between HDRS and SF-36 (r = ?0.6, p < 0.001). On regression number of major organ involvement (p < 0.001), BSAS (p = 0.01), MAF (p = 0.002), and SF-36 QoL (p < 0.001) significantly correlated with HDRS.ConclusionDepression is a significant comorbidity in patients with BD and is closely related to fatigue, number of major organ involvement and overall disease activity with a negative impact on QoL. Therefore, early interference and depression management in routine clinical practice is important to reduce patients’ symptoms, and improve QoL.     

Sleep timing,chronotype, mood,and behavior at an Arctic latitude (69°N)

ObjectiveDaylight is an important zeitgeber for entraining the circadian rhythm to a 24 h clock cycle, especially within the Polar circle, which has long Polar nights several months each year. Phase delays in sleep timing may occur, but the mean shift is normally small. However, the individual variation in phase shifts is large, implicating moderating factors. Here we examined the role of several self-regulatory variables (mood and fatigue, behavioral habits, and psychological self-regulation) as moderators of seasonality in sleep timing and chronotype.MethodsA sample of 162 young adults (76% females; mean age: females 23.4 years, males 24.3 years) participated in a prospective study across three seasons (September, December, March) in Tromsø/Norway at 69°39′N. Sleep diary and sleep/health-related questionnaire data were collected at each time-point.ResultsSleep timing and chronotype were delayed during the dark period (December) compared with brighter photoperiods (September and March). Comparable effects were observed for insomnia, fatigue, mood (depression and anxiety), subjective health complaints, physical activity, and school-related stress. Most importantly, depression and fatigue moderated the degree of seasonal shifting in sleep timing, whereas the other self-regulation indicators did not (ie eating habits, physical activity, and psychological self-regulation).ConclusionSeasonality in sleep timing and chronotype was confirmed, and it seems that depressive symptoms during the dark period exacerbate phase-shifting problems for people living in sub-Arctic regions.     

视频显示终端作业过程中的脉搏信号分析研究

目的：针对长期视频显示终端（VDT）作业引发的疲劳健康问题,设计VDT作业疲劳实验,探求实验前后脉搏参数的变化,为VDT作业疲劳的评价提供方法。方法：筛选30名健康在校大学生进行试验,受试者进行连续4 h的静态计算机游戏操作,每0.5 h采集2 min指端容积脉搏波数据,在实验前后对受试者进行疲劳症状问卷调查。分析提取脉率及脉率变异性参数、指脉搏波波形特征参数,并对比实验前后脉搏波波形图的变化。结果：以疲劳量表FS-14为标准,疲劳实验后受试者精神与躯体疲劳度均有所上升。以Rechichi提出的视疲劳判断标准,疲劳试验后受试者均处于视觉疲劳状态。受试者在VDT作业疲劳实验前后其心率（HR）指标具有显著性差异,且呈下降趋势;脉率变异性算得RMSSD及SDNN指标具有显著性差异,且呈上升趋势;指脉脉搏波波形特征参数K,在实验前后呈波动性上升趋势。结论：脉率及其部分变异性参数、部分脉搏特征参数具显著性变化,脉搏波波形图在VDT作业过程中有趋势性的变化,脉搏波在VDT作业疲劳的监测中具有应用价值,有望成为评价VDT疲劳状态的指标。     

基于YCbCr颜色空间相邻帧差建模的眼睛定位算法研究

目的：研究一种基于YCbCr相邻帧差法检测头部运动及眼睛位移、定位眼睛位置的算法,使之能在基于眼睛状态的疲劳驾驶监测中真正发挥作用。方法：利用YCbCr颜色空间改进相邻帧差法,并依据相邻帧差法对运动物体检测的原理,建立眼睛位移检测的模型。运用该模型检测出后一帧相对于前一帧的眼睛位移量,参照前一帧眼睛所在的矩形区域,框选出后一帧图像中眼睛的候选区域,再利用形态学方法处理,最终得到后一帧图像眼睛的精确矩形区域。结果：本算法的眼睛定位处理速度为14帧/s,较传统眼睛定位算法的9帧/s提升了55%,能确保实时检测到人眨眼瞬间（0.2～0.4 s）的时间间隙,且正确率与传统眼睛定位算法相当。结论：本研究的眼睛定位算法大幅提高了眼睛检测算法的速度,能确保实时检测到人眨眼瞬间（0.20.4 s）的时间间隙,提高疲劳监测指标PERCLOS的检测准确性。     

Epigenetic changes associated with inflammation in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy

Inflammation has been associated with fatigue during and after various types of breast cancer treatments. We examined whether prior chemotherapy was associated with DNA methylation patterns that could explain persisting inflammation and/or fatigue in women treated for breast cancer. Prior to breast radiation therapy, DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 61 Stage 0-IIIA breast cancer patients who had received partial mastectomy with or without chemotherapy. DNA methylation was assessed at >485,000 CpG sites across the genome along with fatigue and plasma inflammatory markers previously associated with fatigue. Compared to non-chemotherapy-treated, women who had received chemotherapy exhibited significantly decreased methylation at eight CpG sites (p < 1.03 × 10⁻⁷) including four in exon 11 of transmembrane protein 49 (TMEM49), which demonstrated the largest decreases in methylation. Lower methylation at each identified CpG site was associated with increased plasma soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (sTNFR2) and interleukin (IL)-6 and mediated the relationship between chemotherapy and increases in these inflammatory biomarkers adjusting for multiple clinical and treatment characteristics. sTNFR2, but not CpG methylation status, was correlated with fatigue. Six months after breast radiation therapy, DNA methylation, inflammatory biomarkers and fatigue assessments were repeated in a subset of subjects (N = 39). Reduced methylation in 4 of the 8 identified CpG sites was still observed in chemotherapy versus non-chemotherapy-treated patients, albeit with some decay indicating the dynamic and potentially reversible nature of the changes. Reduced methylation in these 4 CpG sites also continued to correlate with either increased sTNFR2 or IL-6, but not fatigue. In conclusion, prior chemotherapy treatment was associated with decreased methylation of CpG sites in DNA from PBMCs of breast cancer patients, which correlated with increased inflammatory markers prior to and 6 months after radiation therapy. Persisting epigenetic changes secondary to chemotherapy may be one factor that contributes to inflammation and its consequences including cancer-related fatigue in vulnerable breast cancer patients.     

加味八珍汤治疗气血亏虚型肺癌癌因性疲乏的效果研究

目的：探讨加味八珍汤治疗气血亏虚型肺癌癌因性疲乏的效果。方法：选取成都新都东立中医医院、兴文县中医医院及四川省中西医结合医院收治的64例气血亏虚型肺癌患者,随机分组法分为观察和对照两组,各32例。对照组给予西医常规治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上联合加味八珍汤治疗。比较两组患者治疗后卡氏评分（KPS）评分改善情况、治疗前后T淋巴细胞亚群及中医症候积分。结果：观察组治疗后KPS评分改善率为46.88%（15/32）高于对照组KPS评分改善率21.88%（7/32）（P<0.05）;观察组患者治疗后CD3+（63.85±5.24）%高于对照组CD3+（57.35±3.20）%、CD4+（39.63±4.47）%高于对照组CD4+（34.52±3.26）%、CD4+/CD8+（2.06±0.41）高于对照组CD4+/CD8+（1.75±0.25）（P均<0.05）;观察组治疗后中医证后积分为（11.26±1.25）分低于对照组（18.62±2.58）分（P<0.05）。结论：加味八珍汤治疗联合常规治疗气血亏虚性肺癌癌因性疲乏患者能有效提高生活质量及免疫功能,缓解临床症状,值得临床推广。