Physical activity and fatigue during radiation therapy: a pilot study using actigraph monitors

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Patient Care
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy often experience significant fatigue.
• Understanding the relationship between physical activity and fatigue is crucial for supportive care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the relationship between physical activity patterns and fatigue during a six-week course of radiation therapy.
• To investigate how physical activity and fatigue change throughout treatment.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, descriptive pilot study involving seven adult cancer patients receiving external beam radiation therapy.
• Physical activity was measured using wrist actigraphs and daily diaries.
• Fatigue was assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Linear Analogue Scale-Fatigue (LAS-F), with symptom severity measured by the Symptom Distress Scale (SDS).

Main Results:

• Physical activity levels peaked at the end of each week during weeks two and five of therapy.
• Perceptions of fatigue, measured by POMS and LAS-F, decreased towards the end of each week.
• The Symptom Distress Scale indicated minimal changes in overall symptom severity.

Conclusions:

• Contrary to expectations, physical activity increased and fatigue decreased during radiation therapy.
• Findings support the benefits of exercise during cancer treatment, suggesting physical activity may help reduce treatment-related fatigue.