Interventions for fatigue

Fatigue is the most frequently reported symptom of cancer and cancer treatment, which can significantly impair the patient's quality of life. It may also interfere with cancer therapy compliance and even limit the amount of treatment that a patient receives. There is little information on, and research into, the mechanisms of fatigue and the relationships between its multiple causes, patterns and the many factors that may improve or worsen the condition. The management of fatigue, therefore, represents a major nursing challenge. The nurse's role in combating cancer-related fatigue spans the treatment continuum from prevention to research. It includes: patient assessment to identify those at high risk and to evaluate potential causes of fatigue; and the implementation of interventions to manage the fatigue, such as patient and family education, self-care activities and treatment of specific problems. Continued research on the multiple aspects of cancer-related fatigue, together with multifaceted projects such as the fatigue initiative, will lead to improved oncology nursing care of patients with cancer-related fatigue.