Posted 2 days ago
Walking Toward Wellness: A Pilot Program to Combat Cancer-Related Fatigue
Cancer-related fatigue remains one of the most prevalent and challenging side effects faced by individuals undergoing cancer treatment. At Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers, we are dedicated to enhancing our patients’ quality of life—not only through advanced medical therapies but also through holistic, evidence-based supportive care. In line with this mission, Jennifer D. Bernt, DNP, FNP-C, AOCNP, a nurse practitioner at Ironwood, recently published her research on a pilot walking program designed to help alleviate fatigue in cancer patients.
In a recent pilot program published in the Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology (JADPRO), Jennifer explored the impact of a simple yet powerful intervention: walking.
Why Walking?
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends physical activity as a key strategy to manage cancer-related fatigue. Building on this guidance, our team implemented a quality improvement project to evaluate the effects of a structured walking plan for patients beginning oral cancer treatments.
The Program
The initiative had two main components:
Patient Engagement: Participants received pedometers and were encouraged to follow a personalized walking plan. They also completed the Brief Fatigue Inventory and a survey on their beliefs and attitudes toward fatigue before and after the program.
Nurse Education: Outpatient oncology nurses were trained on the benefits of physical activity and how to incorporate walking plans into patient education. Their knowledge and confidence were assessed before and after the training.
What We Learned
Fatigue Scores: While the reduction in fatigue was not statistically significant, patients with advanced-stage cancer showed a near-significant increase in fatigue, highlighting the need for early intervention.
Nursing Impact: Nurses’ knowledge improved by 13%, and their confidence in educating patients increased across multiple domains.
Barriers Identified: Initially, nurses cited personal knowledge gaps as a barrier. Post-training, the need for more resources became the primary challenge—an important insight for future program development.
Moving Forward
This pilot program underscores the importance of integrating physical activity into cancer care and equipping nurses with the tools they need to support patients. The results are promising and pave the way for broader implementation.
At Ironwood, we believe that small steps—like a daily walk—can lead to big strides in healing.