The effect of a multidimensional exercise programme on symptoms and side-effects in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: the use of semi-structured diaries
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 6-week intervention with structured physical activity, relaxation, body-awareness techniques and massage on the symptoms/side-effects of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The study was prospective and exploratory, and 54 patients completed assessments for all 6 weeks of the intervention. In order to obtain a continuous record of side-effects, a diary was developed for the patients' use throughout the intervention. The patients scored their symptoms/side-effects on a scale from 0 to 4, using the Common Toxicity Criteria and reported these scores in questionnaires. Twelve possible symptoms/side-effects were registered daily: lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, paraesthesia, constipation, physical fatigue, mental fatigue, treatment-related fatigue, muscle pain, arthralgia and other pain. During the intervention a decrease in the scoring for 10 out of the 12 side-effects was found. Statistical significance was observed in the pain score (P=0.046) and the arbitrary-derived sum of the scores for symptoms and side-effects (P=0.036) respectively. Patients with evidence of disease (n=26) had significantly higher levels of symptoms/side-effects than patients with no evidence of disease (n=28) (P=0.027). The results indicate that a six weeks multidimensional exercise intervention undertaken by cancer patients with or without residual disease while undergoing chemotherapy can lead to a reduction in treatment-related symptoms.
Original language | English |
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Journal | European Journal of Oncology Nursing |
Volume | 10 |
Issue number | 4 |
Pages (from-to) | 247-262 |
Number of pages | 16 |
ISSN | 1462-3889 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2006 |
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences - Patient diary, Cancer, Chemotherapy, Symptoms, Side-effects, Physical activity
Research areas
ID: 1094410