Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
09:25
The Treadmill Fatigue Test: A Simple, High-throughput Assay of Fatigue-like Behavior for the Mouse
Published on: May 31, 2016
Modifying cancer-related fatigue by optimizing sleep quality
Ann Malone Berger1, Sandra A Mitchell
1University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5330, USA. aberger@unmc.edu
Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN
|February 13, 2008
Summary
Cancer-related fatigue significantly impacts quality of life. Optimizing sleep quality through various interventions may help reduce this persistent symptom in adult cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Sleep Medicine
- Psycho-oncology
Background:
- Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a prevalent and distressing symptom impacting patient quality of life.
- CRF is often linked to other symptoms, including sleep disturbances and daytime sleepiness.
- Effective management of CRF is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on the relationship between CRF, sleep disturbances, and daytime sleepiness in adult cancer patients.
- To explore interventions for optimizing sleep quality to mitigate CRF.
- To provide recommendations for screening, assessment, and future research.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on CRF, sleep, and daytime sleepiness.
- Examination of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions for insomnia in cancer patients.
- Synthesis of current evidence to inform clinical practice and research directions.
Main Results:
- Sleep disturbances and daytime sleepiness are significant factors influencing CRF.
- Interventions aimed at improving sleep quality show potential for reducing CRF.
- Further research is needed to establish the efficacy of these interventions in diverse cancer populations.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing sleep quality is a promising strategy for managing cancer-related fatigue.
- Routine screening and assessment of sleep disturbances are recommended for cancer patients.
- Future research should focus on elucidating the complex interplay of symptoms and validating interventions.
Related Concept Videos
01:13Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation
Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
01:19Management of Insomnia
The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
01:26COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
01:27Insomnia
Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, and waking up too early without being able to return to sleep. People with insomnia often experience these disruptions at least three nights a week for at least one month. Chronic insomnia, which lasts for at least three months, can lead to increased anxiety, which in turn can worsen sleep difficulties, creating a cycle of sleeplessness and stress.
Multiple factors contribute...
Multiple factors contribute...
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...