A multi-modal intervention for managing the fatigue-sleep disturbance-depressed mood symptom cluster in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: A pilot study

• Main Authors: Wai Man Wong (Author), Dorothy N.S. Chan (Author), Kai Chow Choi (Author), Yin Ping Choy (Author), Winnie K.W. So (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Elsevier, 2023-08-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2347-5625; 10.1016/j.apjon.2023.100269
• Keywords: Symptom cluster; Symptom management; Breast cancer; Cancer-related fatigue; Sleep disturbance; Depressed mood; Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens; RC254-282; Nursing; RT1-120
• Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing, Vol 10, Iss 8, Pp 100269- (2023)

Objective: To examine the feasibility and acceptability of a multi-modal intervention for managing the cancer-related fatigue-sleep disturbance-depressed mood (F-S-D) symptom cluster in patients with breast cancer (BC) and receiving chemotherapy in Hong Kong, and the preliminary effects of such intervention on the occurrence of the F-S-D symptom cluster in these patients. Methods: This study was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Patients with BC scheduled for chemotherapy were recruited. Intervention participants received a weekly nurse-led multi-modal intervention lasting 7 weeks. The feasibility parameters and adverse events were assessed using logbook records. Acceptability was evaluated using a program evaluation questionnaire. F-S-D symptoms and quality of life (QOL) were measured at baseline (T0), upon intervention completion (T1), and 3 months after intervention completion (T2). Generalized estimating equation analyses were used. Results: Fifty participants were enrolled. The eligibility and enrollment rates were 11% and 87.7%, respectively. The rate of adherence to the intervention was 96%. No adverse events were reported. All participants were satisfied with the intervention, which had significant effects in terms of reducing the occurrence of the F-S-D symptom cluster at T2 (P ​= ​0.035) and improving QOL at T1 and T2 (T1: P ​= ​0.035; T2: P ​= ​0.012). Conclusions: The multi-modal intervention is a feasible, acceptable, and safe intervention that demonstrated preliminary positive effects in managing the F-S-D symptom cluster and improving QOL in patients with BC and receiving chemotherapy in Hong Kong. This study provides key insights into F-S-D symptom cluster management in patients with BC. Trial registration: ChiCTR2100047819 (Chinese Clinical Trial Register).