The effect of deep diaphragmatic breathing on fatigue in patients with metastatic gastrointestinal cancers: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundFatigue is a common and unpleasant symptom experienced by many cancer patients. One method that has been suggested to reduce fatigue is deep diaphragmatic breathing. However, there is limited information available regarding the effectiveness of this technique for patients with advanced cancers. As a result, this study was conducted to investigate the impact of deep diaphragmatic breathing on fatigue in patients with gastrointestinal tract cancers that have spread to other parts of the body.MethodsThis study, conducted in the oncology departments of Imam Reza (AS) Kermanshah Hospital in 2022, aimed to investigate the effects of an intervention test on 44 patients with malignant gastrointestinal cancer. Inclusion criteria include metastatic cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, the patient's consent to cooperate, and the age of 18-65 years. Exit criteria also include transfer from the oncology department, death, misdiagnosis, and non-cooperation The patients were selected as available and randomly assigned to two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The intervention test was performed by the experimental group twice a day for 10 days, with each session lasting for 10 min. Before and after the intervention, both groups completed research tools, which included Piper's fatigue questionnaire and a demographic information checklist. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 25 software.FindingsAccording to the findings, before the intervention, the average total fatigue was measured at 5.15 +/- 1.98 in the case group and 4.43 +/- 1.74 in the control group, with no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.213). However, after the intervention, the average total fatigue decreased to 3.59 +/- 1.91 in the case group, whereas it increased to 6.14 +/- 1.91 in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.001).ConclusionThe study revealed that the method used in the treatment had a significant impact on reducing fatigue in patients. Considering its low cost and high feasibility, it is recommended to include this approach in the care plan for patients and make it a part of their routine.Trial registrationIRCT20220104053628N1, date: 2022-02-05.