The Effect of Training on Energy Conservation Strategies, Fatigue, and Self-Caring among Women with Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy in Zahedan Medical Sciences Hospitals in 2018-2019

Abstract

BACKGROUND Fatigue is one of the most common cancer-related problems. Fatigue-reduction non-drug methods include energy conservation strategies and improving self-caring efficacy. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of energy conservation strategies training on fatigue and caring self-efficacy in cancer patients. METHODS It was a single-blind clinical trial study performed on 80 breast cancer patients in educational hospitals in Zahedan (Iran) selected by simple random sampling. After randomly assigning patients to two groups (control and intervention), before the intervention, multidimensional fatigue inventory (MFI) and strategies used by people to promote health (SUPPH) were completed by patients in both groups. The control group received no special care except routine care. The intervention consisted of energy conservation strategies that was performed in the experimental group within 3 individual sessions once a week. Following all 3 training sessions, follow-up was performed for 6 weeks and the questionnaires were then administered to the control and intervention groups and the post-test was given. RESULTS Most of the participants in the two groups were educated less than high school diploma, were housewives, and in stage II of the diseases. The results showed that fatigue was significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group after the intervention (p=0.01). The results also showed a significant improvement in the level of caring self-efficacy in the intervention group compared to the control group (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that educational intervention can be used as an effective strategy and a complementary therapy along with other therapies to reduce fatigue in patients with breast cancer.