Authors (including presenting author) :
Chau J(3), Tsang G(3), Wong L(1), Ma W(1), Chan E(1), Kwong S(1), Wan S(3), Leung WY(2), Ling YH(2)
Affiliation :
(1) Physiotherapy Department, Ruttonjee & Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals
(2) Department of Surgery, Ruttonjee & Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals
(3) Physiotherapy Department, HKEC
Keyword 1: :
Brief Fatigue Inventory
Keyword 2: :
Cancer Related Fatigue
Keyword 3: :
Post operative Breast Cancer Patients
Keyword 4: :
Chemotherapy
Keyword 5: :
Rehabilitation
Introduction :
Cancer Related Fatigue (CRF) impairs daily functioning in post operative breast cancer patients, especially those treated with chemotherapy. Previous RTSKH evaluation showed that physiotherapy led wellness classes enhanced wellbeing with high patient satisfaction. The Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) is a subjective tool that assess CRF in past 24hours using Global Average Score for overall fatigue severity, and Fatigue Interference Item Average Score which reflects how fatigue disrupts on quality of life. This study applied BFI to quantify fatigue change in this setting and secondarily explored patterns with chemotherapy history.
Objectives :
To examine 6 month changes in BFI measured fatigue in post operative breast cancer patients attending physiotherapy wellness classes, and to describe BFI trends in patients with and without prior chemotherapy.
Methodology :
In June 2023-June 2025, post operative breast cancer patients attended weekly 60 minute group wellness sessions and completed BFI assessments at baseline, 3 and 6 months (n=35). BFI Global Average Score and Fatigue Interference Item Average Score were calculated; chemotherapy status (post chemotherapy n=8, non chemotherapy n=27) recorded for exploratory comparisons.
Result & Outcome :
BFI Global Average Score improved from 3.70±1.85 at baseline to 3.45±1.86 at 3 months and 3.38±2.19 at 6 months (p=0.925). Fatigue Interference Item Average Score improved from 3.41±2.01 to 3.18±2.02 then to 3.11±2.32 (p=0.310). For comparisons between patients undergone post-chemotherapy and those without chemotherapy, Global Average Score improved from 3.39±2.30 to 2.29±2.19 and 3.79±1.73 to 3.70±2.13 (between group p=0.130) respectively. Fatigue Interference Item Average Score improved from 3.40±2.71 to 2.02±2.21 versus 3.41±1.83 to 3.44±2.29 (p=0.223) respectively. These trends are compatible with literature showing CRF reductions with exercise especially in higher burden patients. BFI is a brief assessment tool for acute or early post-treatment phases, so it may not be sensitive to multidimensional physical and cognitive benefits. Prior study by RTSKH indicated that participants reported improvements physically and psychologically after the wellness class, suggesting high subjective satisfaction and benefits from the program even when changes in BFI scores are modest. Future studies should include multidimensional fatigue scales and physical tests (eg.6 minute-walk-test, 30 second-chair stand-test) to evaluate fatigue and chemotherapy effect in these patients in a comprehensive manner. Conclusion
Using BFI alone may not be able to accurately capture the effectiveness of fatigue in this setting, patient reported and objective measures could be integrated in future studies.
