Fatigue in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy: a prospective study

Authors

  • Juliana Maria de Paula Avelar Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Centro Colaborador da OPAS/OMS para o Desenvolvimento da Pesquisa em Enfermagem, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil. Estácio, Centro Universitário Estácio de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4960-1558
  • Adriana Cristina Nicolussi Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Departamento de Enfermagem, Uberaba, MG, Brasil. http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5600-7533
  • Bruna Francielle Toneti Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Centro Colaborador da OPAS/OMS para o Desenvolvimento da Pesquisa em Enfermagem, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8565-4905
  • Helena Megumi Sonobe Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Centro Colaborador da OPAS/OMS para o Desenvolvimento da Pesquisa em Enfermagem, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil. http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3722-0835
  • Namie Okino Sawada Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Centro Colaborador da OPAS/OMS para o Desenvolvimento da Pesquisa em Enfermagem, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1874-3481

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.2813.3168

Keywords:

Nursing; Radiotherapy; Fatigue; Cancer; Quality of Life; Head and Neck Neoplasms

Abstract

Objective

to identify the frequency of fatigue and domains affected in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy, at the beginning, middle and end of treatment.

Method

longitudinal and prospective study of quasi-experimental design, involving 60 patients with head and neck cancer. It should be highlighted that this article will address only the data of the Control Group. The dependent variables were collected through interview, using the revised Piper Fatigue Scale, which is a multidimensional instrument that assesses global, behavioral, affective and sensory/psychological domains. Data analysis was based on absolute and relative frequencies.

Results

there was a predominance of males, age group between 41-60 years, low level of education and in regular use of alcohol and cigarettes. All domains in the fatigue scale had their scores increased, presenting median values of greater magnitude in Time 2 and Time 3, when compared to the Time 1 values, indicating an increase in fatigue levels during radiation therapy.

Conclusion

fatigue increased in the course of the radiation therapy, having all domains affected. Therefore, its evaluation throughout the treatment is important, as fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom on cancer patients.

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Published

2019-08-19

Issue

Vol. 27 (2019)

Section

Original Articles

License

RLAE’s authorship concept is based on the substantial contribution by each of the individuals listed as authors, mainly in terms of conceiving and planning the research project, collecting or analyzing and interpreting data, writing and critical review. Indication of authors’ names under the article title is limited to six. If more, authors are listed on the online submission form under Acknowledgements. The possibility of including more than six authors will only be examined on multicenter studies, considering the explanations presented by the authors.
Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
 Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.

 

How to Cite

Fatigue in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy: a prospective study. (2019). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 27(e3181), e3168. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.2813.3168