Gjerset, G. M., Fosså, S. D., Dahl, A. A., Loge, J. H., Ensby, T., & Thorsen, L. (2011). Effects of a 1-week inpatient course including information, physical activity, and group sessions for prostate cancer patients. Journal of Cancer Education, 26, 754–760.
To explore the effects of a prostate-specific program on physical activity, fatigue, mental distress, and quality of life (QOL).
Courses were conducted by a multidisciplinary team, including lectures, physical activity, and group sessions, lasting for six days. Activity was performed in groups of six to nine patients twice daily, including water gymnastics, walking, Nordic walking, resistance training, pelvic floor training, stretching, and relaxation for 60 to 90 minutes. Group sessions met for one hour daily and were led by a nurse with experience in group counseling. Lectures involved presentation of medical facts, treatment modalities, late effects, and social and other benefits of physical activity. Study measurements were obtained at baseline and at three-month follow-up.
Patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.
This was a prospective, observational study.
Total fatigue scores declined from 16.1 to 14.0 (p = 0.001), and physical fatigue declined from 11.1 to 9.2 (p = 0.001). Those who did not complete the entire program had higher baseline fatigue scores. Anxiety results were mixed: anxiety declined on the prostate specific measure (p = 0.001), but there was no change on the HADS scale. QOL measures did not change significantly.
Although there was a significant reduction in fatigue, the degree of change was small (2 of 33 points possible). The study did not provide strong support for the effectiveness of this program.
The results suggested a small effect of this type of program on fatigue and no significant impact on overall anxiety or QOL.