A Pilot Study on Effects of a Persian medicine suggested meal on fatigue in Breast Cancer patients

Introduction & Aim: Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment that affects the various aspects of the life of cancer patients and leads to a decrease in the quality of life of patients. Fifty to ninety percent of patients experience fatigue cancer. Various factors such as anemia, insomnia and depression can cause fatigue in cancer patients. In these cases, treatment is based on the primary cause. Whenever there is no specific etiology, symptomatic methods such as training, medication, exercise, and nutrition are used.This study was performed to assess the efficacy of a recommended meal (nokhodab which was made with chickpea) in Persian medicine to reduce fatigue on patients who take chemotherapy for breast cancer.Methods: In this pilot study 25 patients undergoing routine chemotherapy for breast cancer enrolled the study. All patients received ingredients for the preparation of this meal and its recipe for 3 weeks. Patients should cookthe meal according the recipe of the study every other day and eat it for 3 weeks.Fatigue was measured before and after intervention based on the Visual Analogue Fatigue Scale (VAS) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Results: Most of the participants have been complied with the dietary instructions during the study phase. Results of this study showed that mean score of VAS and FSS was decreased.Conclusion: This Persian meal can decreased the symptoms of fatigue in breast cancer patients; so, it may be suggested as complementary diet for these patients. Albeit well-designed, randomized controlled trials with long-time follow up are necessary.

کلیدواژه ها:

fatigue ، cancer ، Persian medicine