Effect of the Walking Exercise Program on Cancer-Related Fatigue in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Undergoing Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Cancer-related Fatigue (CRF) is one of the most common complications of acute myeloid leukemia<br />(AML) and its related therapies. It can influence all physical and psychological aspects of the patient's life. Also, it<br />is believed that exercise can improve CRF in patients with cancer. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the<br />effect of the walking exercise program on CRF in patients with AML undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: In this<br />quasi-experimental study with a pre- and post-test design, 50 patients with AML undergoing chemotherapy were<br />selected using a convenience sampling method at a teaching hospital in an urban area of Iran. The intervention included<br />daily 30 minutes of planned walking for ten days. Data was collected using a demographic data form and the Brief<br />Fatigue Inventory, which were filled out before the intervention, and on the fifth and tenth days of the intervention.<br />Findings: Statistically significant differences were reported in the reduction of CRF on the fifth day and tenth day<br />of the intervention (p <0.001). Conclusions: The planned walking intervention can be used as an easy and low-cost<br />method for reducing CRF in patients with leukemia.