Author: Yi-Hua Lee1, Yuan-Ping Chang2, Jih-Teng Lee3, De-Chih Lee4, Eng-Yen Huang5,6, Lee-Jang Tsai Lai7
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Administration, National Health Research Institutes, 35 Keyan Road, Zhunan, Miaoli County, 350401, Taiwan, Republic of China.
<sup>2</sup> Department of Nursing, Fooyin University, 151 Jinxue Rd., Daliao Dist., Kaohsiung City, 831301, Taiwan, Republic of China. fyucyp@gmail.com.
<sup>3</sup> Department of Surgery, Fooyin University Hospital, No.5, Zhongshan Rd., Donggang Township, Pingtung County, 928005, Taiwan, Republic of China.
<sup>4</sup> Department of Information Management, Da-Yeh University, 168 University Road, Dacun, Changhua, 515006, Taiwan, Republic of China.
<sup>5</sup> Department of Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, No.123, Dapi Rd., Niaosong Dist., Kaohsiung City, 833401, Taiwan, Republic of China.
<sup>6</sup> School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung University, No.259, Wenhua 1st Rd., Guishan Dist., 33302, Taoyuan City, Taiwan, Republic of China.
<sup>7</sup> Formosa Cancer Foundation, 5F-2, No.16, NanJing East Rd., Sec 5, Songshan Dist., 105410, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Conference/Journal: Support Care Cancer
Date published: 2022 Dec 19
Other:
Volume ID: 31 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 59 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1007/s00520-022-07476-7. , Word Count: 274
Background:
Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and fear of recurrence (FOR) are frequently experienced by cancer patients. This study aimed to improve cancer survivors' CRF, FOR, quality of life (QOL), and heart rate variability (HRV) through Qigong and mindfulness interventions.
Methods:
A quasi-experimental design was adopted, and 125 cancer survivors were recruited using snowball sampling. The participants were assigned to 1 of 3 groups (Qigong, mindfulness, and control) based on their needs and preferences. All groups received 4 h of nutrition education at the pretest (T0). CRF, FOR, and QOL questionnaires and HRV parameters were used as the measurement tools. Data were collected at the pretest (T0), posttest (T1), and follow-up (T2).
Results:
Qigong had a better effect on improving CRF (ΔT1-T0 = - 0.108, ΔT2-T1 = - 0.008) and FOR (ΔT1-T0 = - 0.069, ΔT2-T1 = - 0.150) in the long term, while mindfulness improved QOL (ΔT1-T0 = 0.096, ΔT2-T1 = 0.013) better in the long term. Both Qigong and mindfulness had a short-term effect in improving SDNN (Q: ΔT1-T0 = 1.584; M: ΔT1-T0 = 6.979) and TP (Q: ΔT1-T0 = 41.601; M: ΔT1-T0 = 205.407), but the improvement in LF (Q: ΔT2-T1 = - 20.110; M: ΔT2-T1 = - 47.800) was better in the long term.
Conclusion:
HRV evaluation showed that Qigong and the mindfulness interventions had short-term effects in significantly improving overall physical and mental health, self-emotional regulation, and QOL and relieving fatigue and autonomic dysfunction. HRV may serve as an observational indicator of interventions to improve physical and mental health. The consistent practice of mind-body interventions is the primary means of optimizing overall health and well-being.
Keywords: Cancer-related fatigue; Fear of recurrence; Heart rate variability; Mindfulness; Qigong; Quality of life.
PMID: 36534354 PMCID: PMC9761690 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07476-7