Analysis of Reported Fatigue and of Respiratory and Peripheral Muscle Strength in Individuals with Cancer Undergoing Treatment

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, cancer treatment has evolved, allowing longer survival for the patient, but, side effects such as a decreased immunity and fatigue influence the respiratory and muscular systems. Objective: Analyze fatigue, the respiratory and peripheral muscle strength in individuals with cancer undergoing treatment and in healthy individuals. Method: Analytical, observational, cross-sectional, and controlled study. The individuals were divided into two groups: a cancer group in chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (GCA: n = 98; men = 35.72%; women = 64.28%; age = 58.13 ± 13.26 years; body mass index (BMI) = 26.23 ± 4.04 kg/m2; time of cancer diagnosis = 27.54 ± 9.61 months) and a control group (CG: n = 86; men = 30.23%; women = 69.77; age = 59.24 ± 12.87 years; BMI= 26.76 ± 4.04 kg/m2). For all the individuals, the reported fatigue was assessed using the fatigue subscale of The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue (FACT-F) questionnaire. The evaluation of maximal respiratory pressures was performed by manovacuometry and the palmar grip strength by manual dynamometry. Results: The GCA showed the highest reported fatigue index (p<0.001; f2=0.382), lower values for respiratory variables (PImax: p<0.001; f2=0.441; PEmax: p<0.001; f2=0.361), left palmar grip strength (p=0.024; f2=0.182), when compared to the CG. Conclusion: Volunteers with cancer in chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy presented higher levels of reported fatigue, with reductions in respiratory muscle strength and palmar grip strength.