Effects of a Psycho‐Behavioural Intervention on Cancer‐Related Fatigue Among Patients With Colorectal Cancer: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial
Jinling Lu, Yuen Yu ChongABSTRACT
Background
Post‐treatment colorectal cancer patients commonly experience cancer‐related fatigue (CRF), yet few interventions address this concern.
Objectives
To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a psycho‐behavioural intervention on CRF and other health outcomes in this population.
Methods
A single‐blinded, parallel‐group RCT was conducted with a pilot sample of 50 participants randomized to a 6‐week psycho‐behavioural intervention or usual care. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment, completion, attendance, attrition, and retention rates; acceptability via satisfaction surveys and semi‐structured interviews. Outcomes included CRF, physical activity, dietary behaviours, sleep disturbance, anxiety and depressive symptoms, assessed at baseline and within 1‐week post‐intervention.
Results
Feasibility benchmarks were met: recruitment 52.6%, completion 72.0%, attendance 74.7%, attrition 6.0%, and retention 94.0%. High satisfaction and positive qualitative feedback indicated good acceptability. Repeated Measures ANOVA revealed significant group‐by‐time interaction effects favouring the intervention for reducing CRF ( F = 6.49, p = 0.014; Hedges' g = −0.71), enhancing physical activity ( F = 19.76, p < 0.001; Hedges' g = 1.24), improving dietary behaviours ( F = 4.74, p = 0.034; Hedges' g = 0.61), and alleviating sleep disturbance ( F = 9.64, p = 0.003; Hedges' g = −0.86), but not for anxiety ( F = 3.01, p = 0.089; Hedges' g = −0.48) or depressive symptoms ( F = 3.77, p = 0.058; Hedges' g = −0.54).
Conclusion
The psycho‐behavioural intervention demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy in reducing CRF, enhancing physical activity, improving dietary behaviours, and alleviating sleep disturbance in this population. A definitive RCT is warranted to evaluate longer‐term effects.