CANCER RELATED FATIGUE SYNDROME
Phase 1 research at IST Genoa
Authors Argenti Mirella Traverso Andrea
ABSTRACT
Our thesis focus about interpretation of Fatigue (an english word meaning astenia,
tiredness, from cancer related fatigue syndrome) and Fibrous Myalgia as
Neurovegetative System disorders.
The fatigue, may be defined as a steady subjective sensation of physical, emotional
and/or cognitive tiredness connected to cancer or to therapeutic treatment, is a
phenomenon quite difficult to define cause its inherent subjectivity; the fibrous
myalgia, on the other hand, is a pathology associated with uncertain aetiology and
unclear pathogenesis of the chronic pain
We choose to carry out a Phase 1 Research (viability survey) at IST Genoa with the
aim of a better understanding of the two kind of Chronic Fatigue.
The evolution of chronic illness makes continuous check and test necessary to
evaluate the correctness of the therapeutic operation.
The data collection and elaboration was performed analyzing various elements as
the symptom, the general health condition and the treatment satisfaction, but it
became objectively scientific by means of Questionario valutativo SP36 (Evaluation
Questionnaire SP36) a scientific instrument world-wide recognized.
SP-36 is a questionnaire on the patient health status characterized by its own
concision (a subject took no more than 10 minutes to fill in) and by its own
accuracy ( the questionnaire is valid and reproducible) The use of SP-36 has
therefore objectified our research.
SP-36 was administered by Personale Sanitario dell’Istituto (Institute sanitary staff)
but not in the section where the experience was carried out, just not to bias, even
unintentionally, the patients response.
The statistic sample, formed by 24 patients, provided the matter for the elaboration
of interesting issues.
The data gathering was carried out for every patient as follows:

At beginning and conclusion of treatment

Every examination

For the three scheduled examinations
It was chosen to carry out three treatment (the first two with a gap of one week and
the third one after two weeks) to obtain the best sampling possible in the time
allotted (3 months) as initially agreed with IST.
Every patient was monitored for about 35/40 days.
Working in a Public Structure it was necessary the patient acquiescence by
“Consenso informato”.
The results of this experience analyze the element of pain and tiredness present in
CRFS and, at the same time, the patient’s approval of the treatments.
The osteopathic protocol used for this research is organized in a set of four
evaluation tests used for diagnostic purpose (beginning of a session) and for
assessment (end of treatment).
We consider fundamental, using a single Therapeutic Protocol and even at
Neurovegetative level, the difference between cranial compression and an
inversion of CraniumSacral rhythm.
Given the result of this research we can affirm, without any doubt, the coefficient of
approval of the treatment is substantially high, confirmed by the numerous request
to proceed with further cycles of treatment, by the patients to Doctor Dini, Head
Physician of Antalgic Therapy Ambulatory or directly to us.
Objective evaluation had shown interesting conclusion about the relation between
neurovegetative system, the accommodations of cranial base in their capabilities of
neurological facilitation of inferior limbs and the fluctuations of cefalorachidian
liquid.
All terms of this thesis had an overall validation: on the basis of the data collected,
the hypothesis to assume the CRSP as a neurovegetative disorder has shown good
foundation.
Furthermore applying the same protocol to oncological patient and fibromyalgic
ones showed the importance of SNV in this second pathology.
To remind that our research is a Phase 1, based on short-term outcomes, at this
stage it is not possible to forecast how will evolve the equilibrium reached by the
patients.
That is the objective limit of this research, it could be overcome with an enhanced
experimental research (phase 2 and over)
Our cooperation with IST became, by and by, in a constant, professionally reliable,
presence to the point that the Sanitary Management, via Doct. Dini, Head Physician
of Antalgic Therapy, has request to Regione Liguria to formalize our role, keeping
the voluntary basis of the people involved.It will permit the further possibility of
research and experiments, using scientific parameters, and evaluation on mid and
long-term outcomes.