Effects of a Psycho-Behavioural Intervention on Cancer-Related Fatigue Among Patients With Colorectal Cancer: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial.

Abstract

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.