Energy for living with cancer: preliminary findings of a cancer rehabilitation group intervention study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of a rehabilitation group intervention for people with cancer experiencing cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and examine the effects of the program on CRF distress. quality of life (QOL), and depression.

DESIGN

Prospective, pre-/post-test intervention.

SETTING

An outpatient area of a 551 -bed tertiary-care community hospital in the southeastern United States.

SAMPLE

20 participants have completed the program in four different groups. The preliminary mean age was 63.6 (range = 38-86). These participants had six different types of cancers, and 15 patients were receiving some form of cancer therapy during their participation in the program.

METHODS

After providing informed consent participants completed the Cancer-Related Fatigue Distress Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression, the Functional Living Index-Cancer, and a demographic Information form. The intervention consists of eight weekly, 90-minute sessions with educational and sharing components. At the eighth session, participants were asked to complete the three instruments plus a program evaluation.

MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES

CRF distress, depression, QOL.

FINDINGS

Preliminary results indicate that the program provided information, support, and management strategies for CRF. The mean for the program evaluations overall was 9.8 (0-10 scale, range = 9-10). Statistically significant differences were found for pre- and post-test fatigue distress and QOL scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary findings indicate that this intervention is appropriate and beneficial for patients with cancer experiencing fatigue, even for those patients who are very debilitated.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

The program can be used as a rehabilitation program to help people with cancer to manage the sequelae of their illness and treatments.