Effects of Neiyanggong on cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop a dynamic-static combined Neiyanggong intervention for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and to evaluate its effectiveness in alleviating cancer-related fatigue, with sleep quality assessed as a secondary outcome.

METHODS

A single-center, parallel-group randomized controlled trial was conducted. Seventy-two patients receiving chemotherapy were randomly allocated (1:1) to a Neiyanggong group (n = 36) or a control group (n = 36). The control group received routine treatment and nursing care. The Neiyanggong group additionally practiced a staged progressive dynamic-static Neiyanggong program based on disease-specific characteristics across three chemotherapy cycles. The Piper fatigue scale-revised (PFS-R) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were assessed at baseline and after each chemotherapy cycle.

RESULTS

A significant interaction effect was found for the PFS-R total score (F = 94.810, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.807), indicating a progressive reduction in fatigue over time in the Neiyanggong group. After the third cycle, fatigue scores were significantly lower in the Neiyanggong group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). For the PSQI total score, significant group effects (Wald χ2 = 31.352, P < 0.001), time effects (Wald χ2 = 105.524, P < 0.001), and interaction effects (Wald χ2 = 292.975, P < 0.001) were identified. The Neiyanggong group showed the most notable improvements in sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and daytime dysfunction (P < 0.001). No adverse events occurred, and adherence was high.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that the staged progressive dynamic-static combined Neiyanggong intervention is a promising non-pharmacological approach that can effectively reduce cancer-related fatigue and improve sleep quality.