A Study To Assess The Effectiveness Of Aerobic Exercise On Level Of Fatigue Among Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy In Selected Cancer Centre At Tamilnadu

Abstract

Background of the Study: Fatigue is a universal human experience that is regarded as a basic protective mechanism against the depletion of metabolic energy reserves. With adequate rest, nourishment, and sleep, fatigue is self-limiting. Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common and significant symptoms experienced by cancer patients after receiving radiation therapy. Fatigue, usually described as feeling tired, weak or exhausted, affects most people during cancer treatment. Cancer treatment like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy may all cause fatigue. people may experience fatigue if cancer treatment damages healthy cells in addition to the cancer cells. Radiation therapy seeks to eradicate cancer by destroying cancer cells with radiation, it also increases the level of fatigue a person feels. Unfortunately, some healthy cells near the target area may also receive this dose of radiation. the destruction of healthy cells will naturally lead to an increase in fatigue. Currently, the use of exercise as an adjunct therapy for cancer treatment related symptoms has gained favour in oncology rehabilitation as a promising intervention.Aerobic exercise aims to maintains the heart rate, enhances circulatory and respiratory efficiency. It improves muscular strength and endurance can be achieved by movement of limbs against resistance provided by one’s own body weight/gravity. OBJECTIVES: To assess the pre and post -test level of fatigue among patients receiving radiation therapy in study group and control group. To evaluate the effectiveness of aerobic exercise on level of fatigue among patients receiving radiation therapy in study group. To associate the level of fatigue among patients receiving radiation therapy with the selected demographic variables in study group and control group. To associate the level of fatigue among patients receiving radiation therapy with the selected clinical variables in study group and control group.This study was aimed to assess the effectiveness of aerobic exercise on level of fatigue among patients receiving radiation therapy in selected cancer centre at Tamil Nadu.Materials and Methods: The quantitative quasi experimental non-randomized pre-test and post-test control group design was adopted for this study. 40 patients who are receiving radiation therapy were selected through Non-probability purposive sampling technique. Prior to the data collection, formal approval obtained from the Institutional review committee. Written Informed consent was obtained from the study participants. Demographic variables, clinical variables were collected using structured questionnaire and the level of fatigue was assessed by using Modified Michielsen Fatigue Assessment Scale. The collected data were analyzed based on the mentioned objectives using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The study result showed that in the pre test, most of the participants in study group 16(80%) had moderate level of fatigue and 4(20%) had severe level of fatigue with the mean and SD of 18.15±3.22. Whereas in the post test, 16(80%) had moderate level of fatigue and 4(20%) had mild level of fatigue 12.90± 2.13. In the control group, during the pre test, 14(70%) had moderate level of fatigue, 5(25%) had severe level of fatigue and 1(5%) had mild level of fatigue with the mean and SD of 17.30 ± 4.47 but in post test in remains as 15(75%) had moderate and 5(25%) had severe fatigue 17.400 ± 4.28.  The obtained‘t’ value was 4.208 which was found to be statistically significant and more than the tabulated value at p<0.001 level. Conclusion: The study concluded that the aerobic exercise was effective on the level of fatigue among patients receiving radiation therapy.