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Updated: Aug 7, 2025
07:22
Measuring the Motor Aspect of Cancer-Related Fatigue using a Handheld Dynamometer
Published on: February 20, 2020
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Relationships between Physiological and Self-Reported Assessment of Cancer-Related Fatigue
Trista L Olson1,2, Kevin D Dames1,2, Jeremy D Smith1
1School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA.
International Journal of Exercise Science
|March 10, 2023
Summary
Cancer survivors' self-reported fatigue severity did not correlate with objective measures of muscle strength or fatigability. Standard exercise guidelines are recommended for all cancer patients experiencing fatigue, irrespective of perceived severity.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Exercise Physiology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) significantly impacts survivors' quality of life.
- Objective physiological measures of muscle function are increasingly explored to understand CRF.
- The relationship between subjective fatigue and objective muscle performance remains unclear in cancer survivors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between self-reported cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and objective measures of muscular strength and fatigability in cancer survivors.
- To determine if cancer stage or treatment type influences the relationship between perceived fatigue and objective muscle function.
Main Methods:
- 155 cancer survivors completed CRF questionnaires and underwent assessments of handgrip and quadriceps strength.
- Muscle fatigability was measured using 15 maximal isokinetic knee extensor contractions (QFI).
- Spearman's rho correlations and chi-square tests were employed to analyze relationships between fatigue, strength, fatigability, cancer stage, and treatment.
Main Results:
- No significant correlations were found between subjective CRF levels and objective measures of muscular strength or fatigability.
- Cancer stage and treatment modality (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) were not significantly associated with fatigue status.
- Objective physiological assessments did not align with patients' self-reported fatigue severity.
Conclusions:
- Patient-reported fatigue severity in cancer survivors is not significantly related to objective measures of muscle strength or fatigability.
- Cancer survivors experiencing fatigue can adhere to general exercise guidelines, regardless of their self-perceived fatigue levels.
- Further research may explore other physiological or psychological factors contributing to CRF.
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