scholarly journals Changes in fatigue, barriers, and predictors towards physical activity in advanced cancer patients over a period of 12 months—a comparative study

Author(s):  
J. Frikkel ◽  
M. Beckmann ◽  
N. De Lazzari ◽  
M. Götte ◽  
S. Kasper ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Physical activity (PA) is recommended to improve advanced cancer patients’ (ACP) physical functioning, fatigue, and quality of life. Yet, little is known about ACPs’ attitude towards PA and its influence on fatigue and depressiveness over a longer period. This prospective, non-interventional cohort study examined ACPs’ fatigue, depression, motivation, and barriers towards PA before and after 12 months of treatment among ACP Methods Outpatients with incurable cancer receiving treatment at a German Comprehensive Cancer Center reporting moderate/severe weakness/tiredness during self-assessment via MIDOS II were enrolled. Fatigue (FACT-F), depression (PHQ-8), cancer-related parameters, self-assessed PA behavior, motivation for and barriers against PA were evaluated (T0). Follow-up data was acquired after 12 months (T1) using the same questionnaire. Results At follow-up, fatigue (p=0.017) and depressiveness (p=0.015) had increased in clinical relevant extent. Physically active ACP did not show significant progress of FACT-F (p=0.836) or PHQ-8 (p=0.799). Patient-reported barriers towards PA remained stable. Logistic regression analyses identified motivation as a positive predictor for PA at both time points (T0, β=2.152, p=0.017; T1, β =2.264, p=0.009). Clinically relevant depression was a negative predictor for PA at T0 and T1 (T0, β=−3.187, p=0.044; T1, β=−3.521, p=0.041). Conclusion Our findings emphasize the importance of psychological conditions in physical activity behavior of ACP. Since psychological conditions seem to worsen over time, early integration of treatment is necessary. By combining therapy approaches of cognitive behavioral therapy and exercise in interdisciplinary care programs, the two treatment options might reinforce each other and sustainably improve ACPs’ fatigue, physical functioning, and QoL. Trial registration German Register of Clinical Trials, DRKS00012514, registration date: 30.05.2017

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
xinghe liao ◽  
Cihang Bao ◽  
Minghui Liu ◽  
Menglei Chen ◽  
Xiaoli Gu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Hemoglobin is a prognostic factor for many cancer patients. However, its effect on the prognosis of patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative treatment is still unclear.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether hemoglobin can be used as a prognostic indicator for patients with advanced cancer receiving palliative treatment.Methods: From July 2013 to October 2015, 368 consecutive patients were treated in the palliative treatment center of the Shanghai Cancer Center of Fudan University. The data for 105 patients were extended in the follow-up. The cut-off value selected for hemoglobin was 100 g/L.Results: The median survival time of patients with low hemoglobin was shorter than that of patients with high hemoglobin (41 days vs. 84 days). In the follow-up readmission cohort (n = 105), the median survival time for patients with high hemoglobin (HHb → HHb) was 3.44 times longer than that of patients with low hemoglobin (HHb → LHb). Thus, both low hemoglobin and decreased hemoglobin were identified as independent prognostic factors for poor prognosis.Conclusions: In palliative treatment, hemoglobin can be used as a stratification factor to determine the prognosis of advanced cancer patients.


2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 415-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Bakitas ◽  
Kathleen Doyle Lyons ◽  
Mark T. Hegel ◽  
Tim Ahles

AbstractObjective:The purpose of this study was to understand oncology clinicians' perspectives about the care of advanced cancer patients following the completion of the ENABLE II (Educate, Nurture, Advise, Before Life Ends) randomized clinical trial (RCT) of a concurrent oncology palliative care model.Method:This was a qualitative interview study of 35 oncology clinicians about their approach to patients with advanced cancer and the effect of the ENABLE II RCT.Results:Oncologists believed that integrating palliative care at the time of an advanced cancer diagnosis enhanced patient care and complemented their practice. Self-assessment of their practice with advanced cancer patients comprised four themes: (1) treating the whole patient, (2) focusing on quality versus quantity of life, (3) “some patients just want to fight,” and (4) helping with transitions; timing is everything. Five themes comprised oncologists' views on the complementary role of palliative care: (1) “refer early and often,” (2) referral challenges: “Palliative” equals “hospice”; “Heme patients are different,” (3) palliative care as consultants or co-managers, (4) palliative care “shares the load,” and (5) ENABLE II facilitated palliative care integration.Significance of results:Oncologists described the RCT as holistic and complementary, and as a significant factor in adopting concurrent care as a standard of care.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9128-9128 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Del Fabbro ◽  
S. Dalal ◽  
M. Delgado ◽  
G. Freer ◽  
E. Bruera

9128 Background: Cachexia results in decreased survival and adherence to chemotherapy, and increased treatment toxicity. Primary Cachexia (PC) is characterized by weight loss, anorexia and fatigue and it is the result of tumor-host interactions producing neurohormonal dysfunction and an aberrant pro-inflammatory response. The clinical effects of PC may be exacerbated by complications capable of decreasing energy intake (Secondary Cachexia) such as dysgeusia, anxiety, depression, pain, early satiety, nausea and constipation. The objective of this study was to determine the causes and the frequency of secondary cachexia (SC) in a cohort of patients with PC. Methods: We reviewed the charts of 50 consecutive advanced cancer patients who underwent a structured assessment in a specialized cachexia clinic at a comprehensive cancer center. Results: All patients gathered criteria for cachexia, including a weight loss of >5% within the preceding 6 months. The most frequent causes of SC were early satiety in 40 patients(80%), constipation in 37(74%), depression or anxiety in 30(60%), uncontrolled pain in 31(62%), chronic nausea in 21(42%), dysgeusia in 14(28%),dental problems in 4(8%), dysphagia in 3(6%)chronic aspiration in 2 (4%) and oral candidiasis in 1 (2%).All 50 patients presented with at least 2 secondary causes of cachexia, and 44(88%) presented with = 3. The median number of causes of secondary cachexia was 4 (range 2–5). 211 interventions were used in these patients to treat secondary causes of cachexia. 14(28%) of the patients referred were already on a medication for appetite stimulation (megestrol acetate, dronabinol, corticosteroids). Conclusions: SC should be ruled out in all patients who have PC since the vast majority of patients referred to a cachexia clinic have 2 or more causes of SC. All cancer patients with involuntary weight loss in our series had “mixed cachexia”. Inexpensive effective treatments are available for most of the causes of SC, but they are frequently underused. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e21501-e21501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lea Jasmina Jabbarian ◽  
Renee Maciejewski ◽  
Paul K Maciejewski ◽  
Holly Gwen Prigerson

e21501 Background: The stability of patient treatment preferences has important implications for the optimal timing of advance care planning. Nevertheless, longitudinal data on cancer patients in real-life settings have not examined stability of treatment preferences over time. This study examines the stability of treatment preferences of advanced cancer patients over time and the potential influence of changes in physical functioning. Methods: The patient sample (N = 104) was drawn from a multi-institutional, longitudinal cohort study of patients recruited between 2010 and 2015. Patients with metastatic solid tumor cancer that had progressed on prior chemotherapy regimens were interviewed after an initial clinic meeting in which their most recent scan results were discussed (baseline) and, subsequently, completed monthly follow-ups. Patients reported their treatment preferences (i.e., comfort versus life-extending care) and physical functioning at each assessment. Results: The treatment preferences of the majority of patients (80.8%) remained stable within the first month of follow-up. Patient characteristics, such as age or type of cancer, were not significantly associated with treatment preference stability. The proportion of patients whose preferences changed in favor of comfort care (10.6%) was only slightly higher than the proportion of patients whose preferences changed in favor of life-extending care (8.7%). The same pattern held for the two- and three-month follow-up assessments. Improvement in physical functioning was significantly associated with change in treatment preferences. However, the vast majority of patients (72.2%) had stable or declining physical functioning. Conclusions: Most advanced cancer patients have stable treatment preferences regarding comfort versus life-extending care in the months leading up to their death. Thus, advance care planning earlier in the course of illness may not be premature for the vast majority of patients. As physical functioning changes, treatment preferences should be re-evaluated.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e21689-e21689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arvind Manohar Shinde ◽  
Gillian K. Gresham ◽  
Andrew Eugene Hendifar ◽  
Quanlin Li ◽  
Brennan Spiegel ◽  
...  

e21689 Background: Patients with advanced cancer experience significant distress. Timely identification and treatment of distress can improve outcomes and quality of life. Domains of distress (i.e. pain, fatigue, physical function) can be assessed using patient reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires. However, PROs can be burdensome to patients, particularly when performed serially. Given the relationship between physical activity and sleep with domains of distress, wearable activity monitors may assist in the real-time detection of distress in advanced cancer patients. Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational study at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and enrolled patients with measurable stage 3+ cancer, ≥18yr, English speaking, ambulatory, with a smartphone, and prognosis of > 3 months. Patients wore a Fitbit Charge HR continuously through 3 consecutive clinic visits, and completed NIH PROMIS tools (Physical Function, Pain, Sleep, Fatigue, and Emotional Distress) during visits. Fitbits recorded average daily step counts, stairs climbed, and sleep time. We conducted regression analyses that adjusted for baseline confounding variables and accounted for correlated responses. Results: 35 patients (Mean age 62; 53% males; 82% GI cancers) were evaluated. Patients had ECOG PS of 0 (20%), 1 (40%), 2 (23%), and 3(17%). The table below displays regression coefficients for steps, floors, and sleep in each PROMIS distress domain. Conclusions: There is a significant association between steps and floors climbed with multiple domains of distress and physical functioning. The lack of association between total sleep time and these PROs, may suggest that other metrics of sleep quality (i.e. awakenings), may be more relevant. These findings support further exploration of wearable data as a continuously monitored PRO surrogate in advanced cancer patients; wearable data should be further validated for use in both clinical and therapeutic trial settings. Clinical trial information: NCT02659358. [Table: see text]


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