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。     

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.     

Effects of single session music therapy on hospitalized patients recovering from a bone marrow transplant: Two studies

The purpose of these studies was to determine the effects of single session music therapy on inpatients in an adult bone marrow transplant unit. In Study 1, the researchers examined the effects of patient-preferred live music on anxiety, nausea, fatigue, pain, and relaxation for hospitalized patients (N = 50) recovering from a bone marrow transplant utilizing a pretest, posttest, and follow-up design with Likert-Type Scales. In Study 2, the researchers utilized a randomized controlled trial with pre and posttests to determine how music therapy might effect fatigue (N = 18). In Study 1, results were significant for relaxation, anxiety, and fatigue from pre to posttest. Although ratings tended to worsen slightly from posttest to follow-up, follow-up measurements maintained an improvement when compared with pretest scores. Results of Study 2 indicated no significant differences between- or within-group differences concerning fatigue. However, analyses of mean fatigue data indicated a slight decrease from pre to posttest for experimental participants and a slight increase from pre to posttest for control participants. Results of both studies indicate that a single music therapy session can have a positive effect on inpatients recovering from bone marrow transplants. Implications for clinical practice, limitations of the study, and suggestions for future research are provided.     

ICU患者替代决策者决策疲劳现状及影响因素分析

目的 调查ICU患者替代决策者决策疲劳现状并分析其影响因素。方法 采用便利抽样法,2022年1月—10月,选取山东省某三级甲等医院314名ICU患者的替代决策者为调查对象。使用一般资料调查表、决策疲劳量表、决策准备量表、家庭成员决策自我效能量表、社会支持评定量表进行调查。结果 ICU患者的替代决策者决策疲劳量表得分为（12.33±4.88）分。多重线性回归分析结果显示,患者入住ICU天数、家庭人均月收入、替代决策者性别、文化程度、职业状态、是否了解该疾病、决策准备度、决策自我效能及主观支持是决策疲劳的影响因素。结论 ICU患者替代决策者决策疲劳处于中等水平;患者入住ICU天数较长、家庭人均月收入低、女性、文化程度高、在职、不了解该疾病的替代决策者的决策疲劳水平较高,提高决策准备度、决策自我效能感及主观支持水平有利于减轻替代决策者决策疲劳,改善其决策质量。     

造血干细胞移植患者疲乏管理的最佳证据总结

目的 检索、评价并总结国内外关于造血干细胞移植患者疲乏管理的最佳证据,为临床开展相关循证护理实践提供参考。方法 系统检索国内外计算机决策支持系统、指南网站、数据库、相关专业协会网站中关于造血干细胞移植患者疲乏管理的证据,包括指南、临床决策、推荐实践、证据总结、系统评价及专家共识。检索时间为建库至2022年2月10日。由2名研究者独立对文献质量进行评价,并结合专业判断进行资料提取、整合。结果 共纳入24篇文献,其中指南4篇、专家共识1篇、证据总结2篇、系统评价17篇。总结的最佳证据包括疲乏的评估、运动管理、心理社会干预、健康教育、营养管理、补充和替代疗法、合理用药、共同决策和多学科合作8个方面,共24条。结论 临床护理人员需要重视造血干细胞移植患者的疲乏管理,应根据临床实际情况和患者意愿,以规范、有效、安全的方式管理疲乏,以改善其预后和生活质量。