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Treatment of Radiotherapy-Induced Fatigue Through a Nonpharmacological Approach

University of Rochester, James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 704, Rochester, NY 14642 joseph_roscoe{at}urmc.rochester.edu.

Sara E. Matteson, PsyD

Karen M. Mustian, PhD

Devi Padmanaban, MD

Gary R. Morrow, PhD, MS

University of Rochester, James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, Rochester, New York

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a frequently occurring, burdensome side effect of radiation therapy that can result in detrimental effects to health-related quality of life (HRQL). The findings from a pilot study examining the efficacy of the complementary and alternative practice of Polarity Therapy (PT) in reducing CRF and improving HRQL are reported.Methods: Fifteen women undergoing radiation therapy for breast cancer and experiencing fatigue were randomized to receive 1, 2, or no PT treatments. Treatments were given 1 week apart to the patients receiving 2 treatments. Fatigue and HRQL were assessed at baseline prior to PT, 3 days following the first PT treatment (week 1), and 3 days following the second PT treatment (week 2). Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in both CRF and HRQL in the 10 patients who received a PT treatment compared to the 5 control patients at the week 1 assessment. In addition, there was a statistically significant difference among the 3 treatment groups in improvement in CRF at the week 2 assessment. This finding, coupled with a visual inspection of the means, supports the plausibility of a dose response concerning PT.Conclusion: Results from this pilot investigation suggest that PT may have a positive influence on CRF and HRQL in women undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer. Randomized, controlled clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed.

Key Words: cancer-related fatigue • radiation • Polarity Therapy • complementary and alternative medicine

Integrative Cancer Therapies, Vol. 4, No. 1, 8-13 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/1534735404273726


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