• Anupam Datta Gupta, David Wilson, Graeme Tucker, Daniella Albanese, Sonia Berrigan, and Shriram Nath.
• Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (University of Adelaide), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
• Intern Med J. 2023 Aug 1; 53 (8): 140014081400-1408.

BackgroundCancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common debilitating condition. International evidence supports an exercise prescription for CRF. The majority of Australians with cancer do not meet recommended exercise targets.AimsTo analyse the effects of a guideline-based supervised exercise programme on CRF among a representative private hospital cancer patient sample (n = 268).MethodsWe collected data from 268 patients recruited from haematology and oncology over a 5-year period. Participants underwent a 3-month CRF exercise programme based on internationally recognised exercise guidelines. The programme, conducted by a multidisciplinary team, operated twice weekly sessions of 2 h duration comprising aerobic, resistance and balance exercises; hydrotherapy and condition counselling; fatigue management; and dietetic, speech pathology and swallowing education (head and neck cancers). The effect of the programme was measured in relation to the following outcomes: Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy, Fatigue (self-reported fatigue); Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy, general quality of life (health-related quality of life in cancer); six-minute walk test; and Lawton's Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale.ResultsMultivariate outcomes showed statistically significant improvements in all four major outcome measures, plus a programme effect of greater than 0.7 for each outcome variable. The programme treatment outcomes were consistent over the 5 years of the programme.ConclusionsThe outcomes of this programme contribute to exercise guidelines in Australia. Currently only position statements exist on the subject, but there are no programme guidelines. An exercise prescription is critical to cancer outcomes. This programme is likely to benefit cancer survivors experiencing CRF across private and public hospitals in Australia.© 2022 The Authors. Internal Medicine Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

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