Transforming the nature of fatigue through exercise: qualitative findings from a multidimensional exercise programme in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Standard
Transforming the nature of fatigue through exercise : qualitative findings from a multidimensional exercise programme in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. / Adamsen, L; Midtgaard, J; Andersen, C; Quist, M; Moeller, T; Roerth, M.
In: European Journal of Cancer Care Online, Vol. 13, No. 4, 09.2004, p. 362-70.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Harvard
APA
Vancouver
Author
Bibtex
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
T1 - Transforming the nature of fatigue through exercise
T2 - qualitative findings from a multidimensional exercise programme in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
AU - Adamsen, L
AU - Midtgaard, J
AU - Andersen, C
AU - Quist, M
AU - Moeller, T
AU - Roerth, M
PY - 2004/9
Y1 - 2004/9
N2 - The objective of this study was to explore the nature of fatigue in cancer patients with advanced stages of disease undergoing chemotherapy and concurrently participating in a 6-week multidimensional exercise programme (physical exercise, relaxation, massage and body-awareness training). Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 23 patients between 18 and 65 years of age prior to, during, and at termination of the programme. The findings endorsed that physical debilitation, fatigue, and uncertainty of physical capacity were the patients' motivation for participation. Throughout the programme the patients experienced exercise-induced fatigue, which they associated with a sense of increased physical strength, improvement in energy and physical well-being. This positive sense of fatigue can be seen as a contrast to the negative chemotherapy-induced fatigue, which is characterized by physical discomfort and uncontrollable exhaustion. The patients learned to manoeuvre through periods of intense fatigue by using exercise as a strategy to adjust their sense of physical debilitation. Visibility of fatigue's qualitative aspects is necessary if patients are to be encouraged to stay active and to set realistic goals. The transformation process of fatigue identified in this study supports the theory of exercise as a beneficial intervention strategy in the treatment of cancer-related fatigue.
AB - The objective of this study was to explore the nature of fatigue in cancer patients with advanced stages of disease undergoing chemotherapy and concurrently participating in a 6-week multidimensional exercise programme (physical exercise, relaxation, massage and body-awareness training). Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 23 patients between 18 and 65 years of age prior to, during, and at termination of the programme. The findings endorsed that physical debilitation, fatigue, and uncertainty of physical capacity were the patients' motivation for participation. Throughout the programme the patients experienced exercise-induced fatigue, which they associated with a sense of increased physical strength, improvement in energy and physical well-being. This positive sense of fatigue can be seen as a contrast to the negative chemotherapy-induced fatigue, which is characterized by physical discomfort and uncontrollable exhaustion. The patients learned to manoeuvre through periods of intense fatigue by using exercise as a strategy to adjust their sense of physical debilitation. Visibility of fatigue's qualitative aspects is necessary if patients are to be encouraged to stay active and to set realistic goals. The transformation process of fatigue identified in this study supports the theory of exercise as a beneficial intervention strategy in the treatment of cancer-related fatigue.
KW - Activities of Daily Living
KW - Adolescent
KW - Adult
KW - Aged
KW - Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
KW - Exercise Therapy
KW - Exercise Tolerance
KW - Fatigue
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Neoplasms
KW - Quality of Life
KW - Journal Article
KW - Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2004.00502.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2004.00502.x
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 15305905
VL - 13
SP - 362
EP - 370
JO - European Journal of Cancer Care
JF - European Journal of Cancer Care
SN - 0961-5423
IS - 4
ER -
ID: 179127718