Yeo, T. P., Burrell, S. A., Sauter, P. K., Kennedy, E. P., Lavu, H., Leiby, B. E., & Yeo, C. J. (2012). A progressive postresection walking program significantly improves fatigue and health-related quality of life in pancreas and periampullary cancer patients. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 214, 463–475.
To evaluate the effects of a home-based walking program in postresection patients on cancer-related fatigue, physical function, and quality of life.
Consenting patients were randomly assigned to the walking group or usual care group while in the hospital after surgery. Baseline measures were obtained either in the physician's office prior to surgery or in the hospital. Patients in the intervention group were given a prescription for a graduated walking program and were asked to record the number of minutes or approximate distance walked and any adverse symptoms in a weekly diary. They also received monthly telephone calls to assess their current status and adherence to walking and remind them to mail in their diary information. The intervention group was given a modified “Every Step Counts” booklet, modified to cover a six-month period recommending increasing brisk walking time to 20 minutes in the second month and to 25 to 30 minutes in the third month. Patients in the usual care control group did not receive monthly calls but received one follow-up call at three months. Outcome measures were assessed via the follow-up telephone calls in all groups.
Patients were undergoing the active treatment phase of care.
This was a randomized, controlled trial.
Patients in the exercise group had improved fatigue scores by both VAS and FACIT measures (p < 0.05). Mean change in VAS fatigue score was 1.2, and mean change in the FACIT subscale was 9 points. FACIT scores tended to correlate with disease stage. All patients had a significant reduction in pain. Physical function score changes on the SF-36 were mixed, with the individual subscale score improving more in the exercise group but the composite score improving more in the usual care group. There were no differences between groups in other symptoms observed. Analysis demonstrated a fatigue-related symptom cluster of fatigue, bodily pain, depression, weakness, and anxiety at an average of three months.
Findings supported the benefits of a home-based progressive walking program for patients postsurgical resection.
Findings suggested that a self-managed home-based walking prescription can be helpful to patients with cancer postoperatively. This study adds to the body of evidence related to exercise and fatigue by using a sample of patients who had diagnoses and treatments not previously studied in this area.
Yennurajalingam, S., Kang, J.H., Hui, D., Kang, D.H., Kim, S.H., & Bruera, E. (2012). Clinical response to an outpatient palliative care consultation in patients with advanced cancer and cancer pain. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 44, 340–350.
To determine response to pain treatment with outpatient palliative care consultation
Records of consecutive patients referred to an outpatient palliative care consultation program were reviewed for analysis. The palliative care service was provided by an interdisciplinary team led by a board-certified palliative care specialist. Care follows a standardized management plan. Symptoms were evaluated at baseline and follow-up visits. Findings between individuals who had consultation only versus those who had consultation with follow-up were compared.
A retrospective, descriptive design was used.
More than half (53%) of patients did not achieve a pain response, and 70% of those with moderate to severe pain at the initial visit did not respond to palliative care consultation or still had poor pain control at a follow-up visit. Thirty-two percent of those with mild pain and 27% with moderate pain had worse pain at follow-up. Median time to follow-up visits was 15 days. Factors associated with pain treatment response were baseline pain intensity, fatigue, and total symptom burden at baseline (p < 0.04).
Findings show that pain was not effectively controlled in the short-term with this program. Pain intensity can change quickly in the short-term. Standardized care as examined here may be an insufficient way to effectively manage pain.
This study provides only limited information about effectiveness of outpatient palliative care consultation for pain control; however, it does show that pain can get worse quickly, a large percentage of patients did not have adequate pain control, and the use of standard protocols may not be sufficient. Findings point to the need for aggressive pain management, frequent assessment of pain, and the potential need for very frequent follow-up in initial phases of establishing a pain management plan for the patient in order to quickly achieve pain reduction.
Yennurajalingam, S., Reddy, A., Tannir, N.M., Chisholm, G.B., Lee, R.T., Lopez, G., . . . Bruera, E. (2015). High-dose Asian Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) for cancer-related fatigue: A preliminary report. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 14, 419–427.
To assess the safety and efficacy of high-dose ginseng for cancer-related fatigue
Patients were given a supply of ginseng for 29 days and instructed to take two 400 mg tablets twice daily. Study measures were obtained at baseline, day 15, and day 29.
Prospective observational
There was an improvement in the FACIT fatigue subscale on day 15 (p = 0.004) and day 29 (p = 0.0006) although scores increased between day 15 and 29. Improvement was also seen in the ESAS fatigue scale at both time points (p < 0.001). Appetite improved on day 15 (p = 0.004) and day 29 (p = 0.0097). Sleep was improved on day 15 (p = 0.004) but not on day 29. ESAS scores for anxiety were improved on day 15 (p = 0.002). There were no significant adverse effects attributed to ginseng.
The findings of this study suggest that high-dose ginseng may be helpful in the management of multiple symptoms among patients with cancer.
Ginseng appears to be safe and may be helpful in the management of multiple symptoms among patients with cancer. This study had multiple design limitations. Additional well-designed studies with larger patient samples are needed to provide sufficient evidence for the meaningful evaluation of efficacy.
Yennurajalingam, S., Frisbee-Hume, S., Palmer, J.L., Delgado-Guay, M.O., Bull, J., Phan, A.T., . . . Bruera, E. (2013). Reduction of cancer-related fatigue with dexamethasone: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in patients with advanced cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 31, 3076–3082.
Compare the effect of dexamethasone and placebo on cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and quality of life.
Dexamethasone 4 mg or placebo orally twice a day for 14 days.
Dexamethasone and placebo groups had no differences in patient characteristics at baseline with the exception of more females in the dexamethasone group. Mean improvement scores of the FACIT-F subscale scores and ESAS physical distress scores were significantly better in the dexamethasone than the placebo group at days 8 (p = .005) and 15 (p = .008). ESAS pain was significantly better in the dexamethasone group on day 8. FAACT subscale scores were significantly better in the dexamethasone group on day 15. Fatigue did decline in both study groups. All other variables showed no significant differences in scores or frequency of adverse events.
Dexamethasone is more effective than placebo in improving CRF and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer.
A need exists for larger, long-term studies to determine safety and efficacy in patients with cancer (palliative care and active treatment). A significant number of patients with advanced cancer present with multiple signs and symptoms that may or may not benefit from dexamethasone therapy. Clinicians should be aware of barriers to adherence with dexamethasone.
Yennurajalingam, S., Willey, J.S., Palmer, J.L., Allo, J., Del Fabbro, E., Cohen, E.N., . . . Bruera, E. (2012). The role of thalidomide and placebo for the treatment of cancer-related anorexia-cachexia symptoms: Results of a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 15, 1059–1064.
To determine the effects of thalidomide on anorexia-cachexia and related symptoms
Patients were randomized to receive either 100 mg of thalidomide or placebo orally for 14 days. Pre- and post-study measurements were done.
The study was conducted at a single site in an outpatient setting in Anderson, TX.
The study has clinical applicability for late effects and survivorship.
A randomized controlled trial design was used.
There was no significant change in appetite with thalidomide. Those receiving placebo had improvement in appetite at day 15 (p = 0.01). Body composition measures showed significant decline in body fat percent, fat mass, and fat-free mass by day 15 (p < 0.05), which reversed by day 29.
The study did not demonstrate any benefit of thalidomide for anorexia or related symptoms.
This study does not provide any conclusive findings due to the small sample size and other study limitations cited.
Yen, S. H., Wang, L. W., Lin, Y. H., Jen, Y. M., & Chung, Y. L. (2012). Phenylbutyrate mouthwash mitigates oral mucositis during radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy in patients with head-and-neck cancer. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics, 82(4), 1463-1470.
To determine the therapeutic safety and efficacy of phenylbutyrate (an antitumor histone deacetylase inhibitor and chemical chaperone) 5% mouthwash for treating oral mucositis caused by cancer therapy.
One group received standard oral care plus 5 ml of phenylbutyrate 5% mouthwash (swish and spit) applied four times daily; the other group received standard oral care plus 5 ml of placebo that contained the same base of mouthwash but no phenylbutyrate.
The study was comprised of 31 patients (14 in the phenylbutyrate group and 17 in the placebo arm), age 20 years or older.
MALES (%) 11 treatment and 17 placebo, FEMALES (%) 6 treatment and 2 placebo
KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosed with squamous HNC
OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACERISTICS: Diagnosed with squamous HNC
SITE: Multi-site
SETTING TYPE: Both inpatient and outpatient
LOCATION: Two medical centers in Taiwan
PHASE OF CARE: Active treatment
APPLICATIONS: Elderly care, end of life, and palliative care
RCT
Study showed that at cumulative doses below 5,000 cGy, the WHO mucositis score and the mean OMAS ulceration scores were relatively low between both groups. However, at cumulative doses above 5,000 cGy, the severity of the mucositis and ulceration increased in the placebo group and decreased in the phenylbutyrate group. From 5,500 to 7,500 cGy, the phenylbutyrate group showed a statistically significant decrease in the severity of mucositis (WHO p = 0.0262, OMAS ulceration score p = 0.049). At a cumulative RT dose of 6,000-7,000, the intensity of ulceration was significantly lower in patients that received phenylbutyrate. The median duration of symptomatic mucositis was 16 days in the control group and 50 days in the placebo group. Endpoints included safety and efficacy.
Phenylbutyrate benefited patients by reducing the risk of severe mucositis by 24% and decreasing extensive ulceration by 61%; this was accomplished by shortening the duration of severe mucositis and promoting wound healing during RT and CCRT. Authors suggest that phenylbutyrate might expedite recovery of OM post RT, and that patients treated with this might also retain the ability to eat more often.
By decreasing the severity and duration of OM, it can increase the patient’s ability to eat and possibly reduce episodes of N/V. A larger, Phase II trial would be indicated to illustrate benefit. The sample was just over 30.
Yelland, M.J., Poulos, C.J., Pillans, P.I., Bashford, G.M., Nikles, C.J., Sturtevant, J.M., . . . Brown, R. (2009). N-of-1 randomized trials to assess the efficacy of gabapentin for chronic neuropathic pain. Pain Medicine, 10, 754–761.
To determine whether gabapentin is more effective than placebo in regard to reducing pain, sleep interference, functional limitation, and the frequency of adverse events in patients with chronic neuropathic pain; to assess whether patients find gabapentin tolerable
The trial was offered to two groups of patients who had shown a clinical response to gabapentin: Three cycles of gabapentin and placebo treatment pairs were assigned in random order, with each treatment lasting two weeks. Dose was titrated to a maximum of 1,800 mg/day, depending on response and adverse effects. Rate of titration was 300 mg twice daily to start; dose increased by 300 mg/day. Breakthrough medications were, most commonly, opioids.
The study was conducted at two hospitals in Australia.
Randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial
Only 29% of participants showed a positive response to gabapentin. The ceiling dose of 1,800 mg, compared to 3,600 mg in other studies, may have reduced response rates. The participant withdrawal rate of 35% was high but fairly typical of n-of-1 trials.
Approximately 33% of patients responded to gabapentin, indicating that the drug may be fairly effective.
The study findings were in line with other research that has shown gabapentin to be useful for patients with neuropathic pain. Approximately 33% of participants found gabapentin useful. However, applicability of findings to patients with cancer is unclear.
Yekta, Z.P., Ebrahimi, S.M., Hosseini, M., Nasrabadi, A.N., Sedighi, S., Surmaghi, M.H., & Madani, H. (2012). Ginger as a miracle against chemotherapy-induced vomiting. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 17(5), 325–329.
To evaluate the effect of the ginger plant on chemotherapy-induced vomiting
The intervention persisted for six days starting three days before the chemotherapy session. During this period, all participants took four 250 mg capsules (Zintoma) at six-hour intervals (1 g per day) complemented by the routine antiemetic regimen, including Kytril, or granisetron hydrochloride tablets, (1 mg per day) and dexamethasone ampoules (8 mg per day). A self-made, two-part, self-reporting instrument was used to measure the number of vomiting cases in both the groups. Vomiting times were recorded in the instruments each night just before sleep.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
A self-made, two-part, self-reporting instrument was used to measure the number of vomiting cases in both the groups. This instrument was a reliable standard table that has been used in various studies.
The results of this randomized, controlled trial showed that ginger alleviated nausea and vomiting in patients in the ginger arm compared to the placebo group. Ginger could be a promising antiemetic herbal remedy; however, its positive effects could be dose-related or specific agent-related. Therefore, we need further evidence, including multiagent chemotherapy with different types of cancers.
The nursing implication was confined to teaching patients and their families about the ginger capsules.
Yeh, C. H., Man Wai, J. P., Lin, U. S., & Chiang, Y. C. (2011). A pilot study to examine the feasibility and effects of a home-based aerobic program on reducing fatigue in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Cancer Nursing, 34, 3–12.
To examine the feasibility of a home-based aerobic exercise intervention on reducing fatigue in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Institutional review board approval, parental consent and child assent, verbal and written explanations, and baseline assessments were completed. Maximal exercise tests were completed for all, and those in the intervention group were provided with a video and instructions on achieving target heart rate. Parents and patients were instructed on exercise guidelines, safety and health condition assessment, and monitoring. Heart rate monitors were worn and documented.
The home-based aerobic exercise intervention consisted of following the steps in an exercise video three days a week, for 30 minutes each session, for six weeks. The content of the intervention included three sections: a warm-up for five minutes, aerobic exercise for 25 minutes, and a cool-down for five minutes. The warm-up and cool-down were aimed to increase 10% to 30% of the heart rate reserve. This was recommended by the American College of Sports Physicians. The aerobic section was designed to increase the heart rate reserve to 40% to 60%. The exercise prescription was individualized after baseline assessment, and the duration ranged from 10 to 30 minutes, gradually increasing to 30 minutes by the third week and after. Patients were instructed to complete the exercise three times per week for six weeks.
This was a quasiexperimental control study with multivariate analysis on self-reported levels of fatigue at posttest and one-month follow-up.
For the PP analysis, children who received the exercise intervention reported lower general fatigue subscale scores than those in the control group at one-month follow-up (p = 0.03). There were no significant differences between groups at any other study timepoint. For intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis, there was no intervention and time effect for any of the three fatigue subscales at posttest or one-month follow-up. Descriptive statistics were collected, and the intervention effects of the home exercise and data were measured using the mixed-effects model (mixed procedure in SAS). This included fixed-effects for time and group. ITT (for all patients) and PP (for those who adhered to exercise) analyses were used. The mean adherence rate for the six-week intervention was 76% in the ITT analysis and 90% in the PP analysis.
This exercise program was feasible. Children who received the home-based aerobic exercise intervention reported lower “general fatigue” than those in control group at one-month follow-up. There was structured parental involvement, which might have played a role in adherence. Motivating children with cancer to exercise will require additional study.
A home-based aerobic intervention program might reduce fatigue in children with ALL who are undergoing maintenance chemotherapy. This study demonstrated a high level of adherence, which the authors attributed to parental involvement. Larger, well-designed clinical trials should be performed to further examine the role of exercise in managing fatigue in these patients, as well as the importance and degree of parental involvement needed for success.
Yeh, M.L., & Chung, Y.C. (2016). A randomized controlled trial of qigong on fatigue and sleep quality for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients undergoing chemotherapy. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 23, 81–86.
To evaluate a method of Chan-Chuang qigong to manage fatigue and sleep disturbance in individuals undergoing chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Participants randomly assigned to the intervention group received qigong guidance booklets that introduced qigong and provided illustrations of qigong procedures and precautions, as well as daily monitoring guidelines. Study participants were individually trained by qigong practitioners who followed a set study protocol. Initial training of study participants was completed during their two-day hospital stay for first cycle of treatment. The study nurse observed the participant’s qigong practice until his or her form/movement was satisfactory. After discharging patients, the study nurse called them weekly to confirm they were practicing qigong at home. The study recommended two to three (but no more than five) sessions a day of qigoing practice equally spaced in time. This study followed participants for three weeks (21 days).
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
This was a randomized, controlled trial with a two-group design (intervention and control). No blinding was used in this study.
Participants assigned to the intervention (qigong) group reported significantly lower levels of fatigue and improved sleep quality compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Participants reported a near 100% adherence to intervention and completed on average two sessions for a mean time of 47 minutes total. No adverse effects were reported from this intervention.
No side effects were reported by the intervention group. The results suggested that qigong may mitigate fatigue and sleep disturbance. However, the high adherence rate may be related to culture belief.