Scientific Research Department, Centre for Psycho-Oncology, Helen Dowling Institute, Professor Bronkhorstlaan 20, 3723 MB, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.
Department of Culture Studies, School of Humanities and Digital Sciences, Tilburg University, Warandelaan 2, 5037 AB, Tilburg, the Netherlands.
Support Care Cancer. 2021 Nov;29(11):6651-6659. doi: 10.1007/s00520-021-06252-3. Epub 2021 May 6.
The growing group of patients who suffer from chronic cancer-related fatigue (CCRF) after cancer have helpful and less helpful ways of responding to this long-lasting and disruptive problem. This qualitative study aimed to gain insight in essential elements of how patients respond to CCRF, with a focus on helpful responses to facilitate adaptation.
We conducted semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 25 participants who experienced severe CCRF for at least 3 months. Participants were recruited via media, patient associations, meetings, and health professionals until data saturation was attained. We used a topic guide with open-ended questions about lived experiences. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used for analysis of the transcripts.
We identified five interrelated themes of how patients respond to CCRF: (1) discovering physical and emotional boundaries; (2) communicating support needs; (3) reorganizing and planning activities and rest; (4) letting go of one's habitual identity; and (5) recognizing and accepting CCRF.
This study highlights the development of new habits and positive beliefs in the face of CCRF and the importance of (social) support in this process. This experiential knowledge on helpful responses can be used to inform patients and their significant others and improve self-efficacy. Health professionals could use these insights to improve recognition of CCRF and personalize treatment.
癌症后患有慢性癌症相关疲劳（CCRF）的患者群体不断增加，他们对这种持久且具有破坏性的问题有有益和无益的应对方式。本定性研究旨在深入了解患者应对 CCRF 的基本要素，重点关注有助于适应的有益反应。
我们对 25 名经历至少 3 个月严重 CCRF 的参与者进行了半结构化访谈。参与者通过媒体、患者协会、会议和卫生专业人员招募，直到达到数据饱和。我们使用了一个主题指南，其中包含有关生活体验的开放式问题。我们使用解释现象学分析（IPA）对转录本进行分析。
我们确定了患者应对 CCRF 的五个相互关联的主题：（1）发现身体和情绪界限；（2）沟通支持需求；（3）重新组织和规划活动和休息；（4）放弃习惯性身份；以及（5）认识和接受 CCRF。
本研究强调了在面对 CCRF 时发展新习惯和积极信念的重要性，以及（社会）支持在这一过程中的重要性。关于有益反应的这种经验知识可用于告知患者及其重要他人，并提高自我效能感。卫生专业人员可以利用这些见解来更好地识别 CCRF 并个性化治疗。
