A Study of The Relationship between Fatigue and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Kwon, Young Eun

Abstract

Fatigue is a very distressing symptom experienced by many individuals with cancer, especially those who are receiving active chemotherapy. The effects of fatigue are multiple. If not managed, impaired functional status with a decreased quality of life may result. Therefore, this study was designed to identify the relation between fatigue and quality of life in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The subjects for this study were 180 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy who were hospitalized or who visited the outpatient clinics of two university hospitals in Seoul. The following instruments were used in the study: Piper's fatigue scale, Symptom checklist, Mood state scale, Disruption of usual activity scale. The result of this study can be summarized as follows: 1. The relationship between fatigue and quality of life revealed a significantly negative correlation(r=-.513, p<.001). Therefore, the hypothesis "the lower the level of fatigue, the higher the quality of life" was accepted. The relationship between fatigue and physical well-being revealed a significantly negative correlation(r=-.319, p<.001). The relationship between fatigue and emotional well-being revealed a significantly negative correlation(r=-.417, p<.001). The relationship between fatigue and social well-being revealed a significantly negative correlation(r=-.409, p<.001).