Date Available
4-22-2025
Year of Publication
2025
Document Type
DNP Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice
College
Nursing
Department/School/Program
Nursing
Faculty
Dr. Karen Butler
Committee Member
Dr. Holly Chitwood
Faculty
Dr. Karen Stefaniak
Abstract
Background: Cancer related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most prevalent and distressing side effects experienced by individuals undergoing cancer treatment. In fact, many patients report CRF as more debilitating than pain itself. CRF is characterized by persistent, severe exhaustion that is not alleviated by sleep and is not linked to prior exertion. Despite its widespread impact, the options available to manage CRF are limited, typically including practices like good sleep hygiene, balanced nutrition, mindfulness, and supplements. Integrative medicine, particularly yoga, has emerged as a promising intervention for reducing CRF. However, yoga is underutilized as a therapeutic approach to combat this debilitating symptom.
Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of yoga in reducing CRF among patients undergoing active cancer treatment by referring them to an integrative medicine clinic for yoga and measuring outcomes using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue (FACIT-F) scale before and after this intervention.
Conceptual Model: Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory was utilized as the framework for this study.
Methodology: This study employed a prospective, quasi-experimental design, which involved a non-randomized pre- and post-intervention approach. Participants were chosen based on the following criteria: a cancer diagnosis, receiving active cancer treatment, and willingness to participate in the study. A pre-chart review identified eligible patients. The goal was to enroll at least 25 participants within the designated timeframe. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted using the FACIT-F tool to measure changes in fatigue level.
Results: A total of 23 participants enrolled in the study. Nine completed both the pre- and post-survey. One completed the pre-survey but expired before the post-survey was completed. A paired t-test was conducted to determine whether the difference in scores was statistically significant. The mean difference between pre- and post-test scores was -3.33 (SD=11.9), indicating a slight increase in post-test scores. However, the t-test results showed that this difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusions: Yoga, in this study, was found to be useful in the reduction of CRF in patients receiving active cancer treatment. This study needs to be replicated with a larger, more inclusive sample size to further support the use of yoga in the reduction of CRF.
Recommended Citation
Yeager, Leah R., "Utilizing Integrative Medicine Services for Yoga to Reduce Cancer Related Fatigue" (2025). DNP Projects. 482.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/dnp_etds/482
