Symptom Treatment Preferences of Cancer Survivors: Does Fatigue Level Make a Difference?
Ellen Krueger, Ekin Secinti, Catherine E Mosher and 3 others
PMID 33883476WHAT IT FOUND
Cancer survivors, especially those with high fatigue, wanted skills to manage fatigue, sleep, depression, anxiety, stress and pain.
Both groups preferred exercise, massage, mindfulness and individually delivered in-person programs.
Key findings
01Survivors with high fatigue reported greater interest in learning skills to manage fatigue, sleep problems, depression, anxiety, stress and pain than survivors with normal fatigue.
02Both fatigue groups were most interested in learning skills for fatigue, sleep problems and fear of cancer recurrence, and in exercise, massage and mindfulness meditation.
03Interest in most specific interventions and delivery modes did not differ by fatigue, except self-compassion training and individually or in-person programs, which high fatigue survivors preferred more.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The interest checklists were author constructed and need further testing; only preliminary evidence supported one checklist's validity. The sample was mainly White cancer survivors from the midwestern United States, so preferences may not represent other ethnic groups or regions. Analyses included only 82% of eligible respondents, those who endorsed at least one treatment preference and completed main measures, so survivors with no interest may be missing. The cross-sectional survey could not show how preferences change over time, and it did not assess prior symptom treatment history. The study measured stated interest only, not actual use, adherence or symptom improvement.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that exercise, massage, mindfulness or self-compassion training improved cancer symptoms. The study measured stated interest only, not symptom outcomes, delivery of treatment or effectiveness.