Relationship between social support and fatigue in geriatric patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy

PurposeThis descriptive study was conducted with the purpose of determining the relationship between fatigue and social support in elderly individuals receiving chemotherapy.MethodsIt was conducted in the oncology outpatient chemotherapy units of two university hospitals and one research hospital. A total of 71 patients who were 60 years old and older and receiving outpatient chemotherapy were included. Data were collected using a “Personal Information Form,” “Social Support Scale in Cancer Patients,” and “Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue.”ResultsFatigue was the most common symptom (93%) in elderly patients receiving chemotherapy. The elderly individuals' perceived level of social support was found to be “good”, the main form of support they received from those around them was “security” and the area most lacking was felt to be “information.” As the individuals' level of social support increased, the severity of the fatigue they experienced decreased.ConclusionsThe data demonstrate that social support was imperative in coping with fatigue.