A qualitative study of the characteristics and representation of fatigue in a French speaking population of cancer patients and healthy subjects
Abstract
The aim of this study was to explore the differences in the representation of fatigue between cancer patients and healthy subjects; identify the concepts, dimensions and terminology of fatigue specific to patients with cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and healthy persons; examine some of the strategies used in illness and in health to overcome fatigue. A qualitative research design, using grounded theory was used. Twenty-four cancer patients were recruited in outpatients or the wards of a cancer institute and 24 healthy subjects among the hospital personnel or the investigator's entourage. Data were collected through individual audio-taped, open-ended interviews. The transcripts of the interviews were reviewed, and the participants' responses analysed thematically and grouped into major categories and sub-categories. This study demonstrated differences in the intensity, variability, duration and temporality of fatigue between patients and healthy subjects. Analysis resulted in the categorisation of fatigue into three major dimensions, physical, affective and cognitive, common to both patients and healthy subjects, although the frequency and occurrence of themes within these categories differed slightly in the two groups. A fourth category, distress, was identified in the patient group. The linguistic descriptions of fatigue confirmed the differing perceptions of fatigue between patients and healthy individuals and a heightened concern for the negative aspects of fatigue and suffering among patients. A four-step conceptual model for fatigue was developed explaining the different stages in individual responses to fatigue.
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In that investigation, affective consequences of fatigue were reported as changes in mood and lack of motivation in 75% of subjects, and low spirit and lack of vitality in 50%.
“Affective consequences of fatigue were reported as changes in mood and lack of motivation in 75% of subjects, low spirit and lack of vitality in 50%.”
From Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence (2020) · cites this paper as [13]
In an investigation of 24 healthy men and women aged 24 to 72 years, lack of sleep or poor sleep was the major reported cause of fatigue.
“In an investigation of the experience of fatigue in 24 healthy men and women aged 24 to 72 years [13], lack of sleep or poor sleep was the major reported cause”
From Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence (2020) · cites this paper as [13]
In that investigation, physical aspects of fatigue included a lack of energy in two-thirds of subjects, with reduced stamina and a lack of strength reported in half of the cohort.
“Physical aspects of fatigue included a lack of energy in two-thirds of subjects, with reduced stamina and a lack of strength reported in half of the cohort.”
From Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence (2020) · cites this paper as [13]
In that investigation, more than half of subjects reported diminished concentration and memory difficulties.
“In addition, more than half of subjects reported a diminished concentration and memory difficulties [13].”
From Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence (2020) · cites this paper as [13]
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References 25 · Cited by 33
- Authors
- Gledhill, J.
- Affiliations
- Institut Gustave Roussy (FR)
- Corresponding author
- Gledhill, Jane
- Venue
- European Journal of Oncology Nursing
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2005-12
- Volume
- 9
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 294-312
- ISSN
- 1462-3889 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2068230853
- Cited by
- 33
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 0.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Journal of Oncology Nursing (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Oncology Nursing Society
- European Oncology Nursing Society
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Cancer-related cognitive impairment studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
- Keywords
- cancer-related fatigue, cancer patients, healthy volunteers, distress, coping strategies, French-speaking patients
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Aged, Anxiety, Cognition, Culture, Fatigue, Female, France, Humans, Language, Male, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Motivation, Neoplasms, Stress, Psychological, Case-Control Studies, Narration
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