UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

This session will provide an overview of evidence based practice and summarize the evidence for interventions to manage cancer-related fatigue. A team commissioned by the Oncology Nursing Society conducted a systematic review of all interventions that might be used to manage fatigue. These included traditional approaches as well as complementary and alternative approaches. Both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions will be reviewed. Exercise is the only intervention that is recommended for practice. Additional research to address dose, frequency, duration and type of exercise is needed. Numerous interventions are likely to be effective. These include energy conservation and activity management, screening for potential etiologic factors and management as appropriate, education.information; measures to optimize sleep quality, relaxation and massage and healing touch. Correction of anemia may be effective but must be balanced with potential risks associated with treatment. There is minimal evidence related to the efficacy of an array of other interventions thus the effectiveness is not established. These will briefly reviewed and include: individual and group psychotherapy, expressive writing, poxetine, methyphenidate, donezepil, modafinil, buproprion sustained-release, yoga, acupuncture, distraction, levocarnitine, and adenosine 5-triphosphate. Additional recommendations come from clinical experts and are drawn from clinical practice guidelines. The results of this review are available in exciting new tools including a web-based resource and a pocket summary.