Barsevick, A. M., Dudley, W., Beck, S., Sweeney, C., Whitmer, K., & Nail, L. (2004). A randomized clinical trial of energy conservation for patients with cancer-related fatigue. Cancer, 100, 1302–1310.
The energy conservation and activity management (ECAM) intervention consisted of information provision, guidance in formulating and implementing a plan for energy conservation and activity management, and support in appraising the effectiveness of symptom management efforts. The intervention included completing a journal to monitor fatigue, sleep, rest, activity, and other symptoms; listing and prioritizing usual activities; and creating a tailored energy conservation plan. The intervention was delivered by nurse counselors in three telephone sessions that were 15 to 30 minutes in length.
Outpatient services of two large university cancer centers
Patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.
The study was a randomized, clinical trial with a repeated-measures design and an attentional control group.
Efficacy findings were not confounded by the inability of patients who were in poorer health to complete the data collection process.
Minimal training with the intervention materials is needed.