The use of a visual analogue scale is recommended for recording the intensity of symptoms in the week leading up to the moment of inquiry
2018
Key concepts
Scholarcy highlights
- Many cancer patients suffer from cancerrelated fatigue both during and after their treatment
- Many randomized trials and meta-analyses have documented the efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for CRF
- This article is based on a selective review of the pertinent literature, taking account of the guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the German College of General Practitioners and Family Physicians, as well as a consensus statement of Medical Clinic 5—Nuremberg Hospital: Internal Medicine, Oncology, Hematology: Dr med
- Clinical features of cancer-related fatigue ● CRF involves a vicious circle of diminished physical performance, inactivity, avoidance of effort, absence of regeneration, helplessness, and depressed mood
- Many studies have shown that physicians generally fail to ask cancer patients systematically about the symptoms and signs of CRF
- Effective training involves elevating the heart rate to 70% to 80% of maximum
- The use of visual analogue scales is recommended for assessing the degree to which CRF impairs the patient in various areas of everyday life; values of 5 and above are taken to imply a severe limitation of the patient’s
- For many patients this means that they will have to endure arduous treatment regimens, and in addition may suffer long term sequelae subsequent to their illness and its treatment
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