Hospice and palliative care non-pharmacological intervention improves cancer-related fatigue in the elderly
10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-9026.2024.07.010
- VernacularTitle:安宁缓和医疗非药物干预改善老年癌因性疲乏
- Author:
Jue DU
1
;
Lichao YING
;
Jinzheng CHI
;
Yu ZHANG
Author Information
1. 永康市第一人民医院康复医学科，永康 321300
- Keywords:
Terminal care;
Neoplasms;
Non-drug treatment;
Fatigue;
Palliative care
- From:
Chinese Journal of Geriatrics
2024;43(7):822-827
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of non-drug interventions in hospice and palliative care(HPC)for improving cancer-related fatigue(CRF)in elderly individuals and its impact on quality of life.Methods:This study presents findings from a single-center randomized controlled trial conducted at Zhejiang Hospital, focusing on 40 elderly patients experiencing cancer-related fatigue(CRF)between February 2022 and February 2023.The participants were randomly assigned into a control group and an intervention group, each consisting of 20 individuals, using the random number table method.Both groups received routine comprehensive treatment, with the intervention group additionally receiving hospice and palliative care(HPC)non-drug intervention.Following 6 weeks of continuous treatment, the study compared the clinical efficacy, changes in CRF, and quality of life before and after treatment between the two groups.Results:Comparing the baseline data of the two groups of patients, the difference was not statistically significant(all P>0.05).After 6 weeks of treatment, patients in the intervention group reported lower levels of current fatigue, general fatigue, worst fatigue in the past 24 hours, and impact of fatigue on various aspects of their lives compared to the control group(all P<0.01).The clinical remission rate of cancer-related fatigue(CRF)in the intervention group was 60%, significantly higher than the 5% in the control group( P<0.01).Additionally, the intervention group showed improvement in overall quality of life and emotional function with decreased symptom areas scores(fatigue, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, sleep disorders, and loss of appetite)( P<0.01 for quality of life and emotional function, P<0.05 for symptom areas). Conclusions:Non-pharmacological interventions within the context of hospice and palliative care have been shown to alleviate cancer-related fatigue in elderly cancer patients, ultimately improving their quality of life.These interventions have demonstrated positive effects on various aspects such as overall quality of life, functional status, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, sleep disorders, and decreased appetite.Furthermore, these interventions are considered safe and effective in the treatment of elderly cancer patients experiencing fatigue.
