Patient education programs for cancer-related fatigue: A systematic review

To evaluate the effect of patient education programs on cancer-related fatigue (CRF).

A search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed in Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Elsevier, and CINAHL through April 2014. Two reviewers selected trials, conducted critical appraisals, and extracted data. No meta-analysis was performed. Effect sizes (ESs) of CRF reduction and related outcomes were calculated.

Ten trials involving 1534 adults with cancer were identified and the methodological quality was generally fair. The results showed that the included RCTs showed inconsistent effects of patient education programs on CRF reduction. Different effects on CRF-related outcomes were found. No adverse events were reported.

Our study has provided limited support for the clinical use of patient education programs to reduce CRF. Yet patient education programs appear to play some positive role in managing CRF. Some elements, such as exercise, sleep hygiene, nutrition and relaxation, are possible beneficial approaches. More rigorous experimental studies are warranted and should be more explicitly characterized, in order to be reproducible and assessed.

As a safe modality, patient education program can be considered as a potentially useful approach for reducing CRF.