Cancer Related Fatigue (C.R.F.)

The director of TSI is currently serving his second term as the vice president of the Oncology Section of the American Physical Therapy Association, and has been instrumental on a local, state and national level in developing awareness in physical therapy intervention for CRF, lymphedema and the myriad of rehabilitation concerns of cancer patients and caregivers.

TSI consists of seven specialty rehab facilities in Georgia that offers unique intervention to improve fatigue related to cancer and cancer related treatments such chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRF). 78-96% of all cancer patients undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy experience CRF. It is considered the number one most debilitating cancer related symptom. Despite these facts, this condition remains almost totally untreated. New National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines, and an abundance of scientific data now support appropriate exercises as the number one, most effective “non pharmacologic” treatment for CRF.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s (NCCN) cancer fatigue panel, made up of researchers and clinical specialists from 19 of the top Cancer Treatment Centers of Excellence in the U.S. including M.D. Anderson memorial, Sloan Kettering and NIH, National Cancer Institute and Harvard University etc. endorses early detection and treatment.

Many patients undergoing cancer treatments are treated with a combination of drugs and modalities; each causing cancer cell death by different mechanisms. These potent treatments can also damage healthy tissue and organs resulting in complications and side effects, in particular, fatigue. Because the body is in a less than healthy state, monitoring of exercise is crucial. Chemo and radiation also changes the body’s physiologic response to exercise. The therapists who conduct cancer patient intervention must have specialized knowledge of drug effects, drug interactions, and metabolic alterations to exercise. A keen understanding is needed by these specially trained therapists as to what types, intensity, frequency and duration of exercise will be safest and most effective for this medically “at risk” population.

Exercises guided by a knowledgeable professional can dramatically improve a patient’s medical condition and overall functional level, where as, inappropriate exercises, not properly monitored, can have a damaging impact and expose a patient to potentially dangerous consequences.

Outcome studies of our first 100 patients treated for C.R.F. revealed an overall:

• 63% improvement in the level of fatigue

• 59% improvement in the activities of daily living

• Reduced need in medications for pain and nausea during Chemo

• Substantial improvement in reported levels of depression and anxiety

• Increased compliance to medical treatment and better tolerance to their chemotherapy and radiation treatments

• Significant reduction in need for caregiver assistance

• Improved Quality of Life

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