Treating fatigue in breast cancer survivors: Effectivneness of a mind body intervention.

A42

Introduction: Persistent fatigue following breast cancer treatment affects 30 to 40% of patients. Contributing factors are diverse and include pain, sleep disturbance, depression, decreased physical activity and menopausal symptoms. The complex, multi-dimensional underlying etiology calls for broad based intervention strategies. Aim: To conduct a pilot study to develop and obtain preliminary efficacy information for a ten week holistic, group-based mind body intervention to treat persistent fatigue among breast cancer survivors. Design: A quasi-experimental study using a before/after evaluation of change in fatigue scores. Population: Subjects were women who were between six months and five years post-completion of adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy for breast cancer with a baseline fatigue score of < 50 as measured by the vitality subscale of the SF-36 Health Survey. Twenty-one women entered the study but three dropped out after attending only two of the ten weekly sessions. Results are presented for the 18 who joined one of the three small groups and completed the program. Outcome Measures: Change in severity of fatigue as measured by the Piper Fatigue Scale. Results: Mean age of participants was 52.7 years; 66.7% were Caucasian and 23.7% were African-American; median time since breast cancer diagnosis was 2.9 years. The mean Piper Fatigue Score showed improvement from a score of 6.0 (SD 1.5) at baseline to 4.0 (SD 2.1) at the end of the ten week intervention (p=0.0007). Two months after completion of the program fatigue scores continued to improve compared to baseline (mean 3.2, SD 1.9; p=0.001). Six month follow-up post-intervention is currently being conducted. Conclusion: A holistic integrated mind body intervention holds promise to reduce persistent fatigue, a common problem in breast cancer survivors. Sponsored by Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation