 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Diana J. Wilkie, PhD, RN, FAAN1, Anna Schwartz, PhD, ARNP2, Hsiu-Ying Huang, PhD, RN, AOCN2, Nai-Ying Ko, PhC, MS, RN3, Wen-Chun Liao, PhC, MS, RN3, Daniela Hairabedian, MS2, and Shiping Zong, PhD2. (1) Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 S. Damen Avenue (MC 802), Chicago, IL 60612-7350, (312) 413-5469, Diwilkie@uic.edu, (2) Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, University of Washington, Box 357266, Seattle, WA 98195, (3) School of Nursing, University of Washington, Box 357266, Seattle, WA 98195
Aim: Fatigue is a significant problem the1.2 million Americans diagnosed annually with cancer. This study tested an innovative computerized fatigue assessment/intervention program for effects on fatigue intensity, satisfaction and exercise level. Methods: In a 4-week, pre-test/post-test randomized clinical trial of 215 patients receiving anticancer therapies (mean age 52+12.8 years, 63% female, 89% Caucasian), patients completed FatigueUCope, an interactive, touch screen method for fatigue assessment. The intervention was interactive, tailored FatigueUCope-generated education about exercise, a therapy for fatigue. Results: Patients both viewed the intervention on the computer screen and requested handout materials (34%), viewed it on the computer screen (26%), or requested only handout materials (33%). Patients spent an average of 6+ 5 min (maximum 29 min) viewing the intervention on-screen. Controlling for baseline fatigue scores, the FatigueUCope group reported significantly lower fatigue intensity scores at 4-weeks than the usual care group (p<0.02). Controlling for baseline satisfaction with fatigue level, logistic regression trends showed the usual care group was 1.69 times more likely to be dissatisfied with their fatigue intensity than the FatigueUCope group. The two groups reported similar exercise levels during the trial. Conclusions: The computerized fatigue assessment with tailored education was associated with reduced fatigue intensity and increased patient satisfaction. The mechanism by which the intervention affected the fatigue intensity and satisfaction is uncertain since aerobic exercise levels were not statistically different in the groups. Additional study is needed to replicate these findings in minority groups and to examine mechanisms and clinical utility of this computer tool.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.