Effect of Solution-Focused Therapy on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients With Colorectal Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) has gained increased attention in the past decade but remains difficult to treat. It is a predictor of patients’ overall health and quality of life (QoL). Therefore, controlling fatigue is important for patients with cancer. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the effect of solution-focused therapy (SFT) in reducing CRF and improving QoL in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: A total of 124 patients with CRC undergoing chemotherapy were recruited and randomized to the SFT group or control group. Cancer-related fatigue was measured with the Cancer Fatigue Scale–Chinese version (CFS-C) at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Quality of life was measured with the Quality of Life Instruments for Colorectal Cancer Patients at baseline and 6 months. RESULTS: Of 124 patients, 119 (95.9%) were evaluable. The SFT group showed significantly lower Cancer Fatigue Scale–Chinese version scores than the control group in all subscales and the total scores at 3 months (P < .001). At 6 months, the SFT group had significantly lower scores in cognitive fatigue (P < .001) and total fatigue (P = .005). The CRF of the SFT group decreased in the first 3 months (P = .012) but increased at 6 months (P < .001). The SFT group had significantly higher scores in the physical and psychological domains and overall QoL (P = .002, P <.001, and P = .02) than the control group at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Solution-focused therapy may decrease the CRF and improve QoL during chemotherapy for patients with CRC. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: Solution-focused therapy can be implemented to relieve fatigue and improve QoL in patients with CRC.