Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on fatigue interference and health-related quality of life among patients with advanced lung cancer: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Huiyuan Li; Xiaohuan Jin; Marques Shek Nam Ng; Ka Fai Mann; Nina Wang; Cho Lee Wong

doi:10.1016/j.apjon.2022.100102

Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on fatigue interference and health-related quality of life among patients with advanced lung cancer: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2022 Jun 9;9(8):100102. doi: 10.1016/j.apjon.2022.100102. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Authors

Huiyuan Li¹, Xiaohuan Jin¹, Marques Shek Nam Ng¹, Ka Fai Mann², Nina Wang³, Cho Lee Wong¹

Affiliations

¹ The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
² School of Continuing and Professional Education, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
³ Respiratory Department, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China.

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to examine the feasibility and preliminary effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on fatigue interference and health-related quality of life in patients with advanced lung cancer.

Methods: In a single-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, 40 patients with advanced lung cancer were randomized to either the intervention group, which received the four-session individual ACT in 4 weeks, or the control group, which received usual care. The outcomes were evaluated at baseline and one week postintervention.

Results: Intervention feasibility and acceptability were established with a high attendance rate of 88.75% and a high retention rate of 75%. Approximately 95% of the participants reported satisfaction with the intervention. Despite the insignificant effects on fatigue interference, statistically significant interactions effects of ACT for health-related quality of life (P = 0.001), cancer-related fatigue (P < 0.001), depressive symptoms (P < 0.001), anxiety (P < 0.001), and distress (P = 0.003) were noted.

Conclusions: This pilot trial supports the feasibility and acceptability of conducting ACT for patients with advanced lung cancer. The findings show the potential positive effects of ACT on health-related quality of life. Future studies with full-scale samples are recommended to evaluate the long-term effects of ACT on fatigue interference.

Keywords: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Fatigue; Health-related quality of life; Lung cancer.