Effect of a solution-focused approach on cancer-related fatigue in postoperative thyroid cancer patients

Kou Meihong; Ling Min; Fu Rong; Ren Yuanfang; Tong Qian; Wang Zifei; Bian Wenxia

doi:10.11986/j.issn.1673-873X.2025.08.21

Abstract：Objective To evaluate the effect of a solution-focused approach on cancer-related fatigue in patients after surgery for thyroid cancer(TC)and to provide evidence for clinical practice.Methods From June 2023 to July 2024,150 patients who underwent radical surgery for TC at The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University were enrolled and assigned to a routine care group(n=75)and a study group(n=75)using a random-number table.The routine group re-ceived standard postoperative care;the study group received the solution-focused intervention in addition to routine care.In-terventions continued until one month after discharge.Assessments were performed before intervention(postoperative day 1)and after intervention(one month after discharge)using the Chinese version of the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale(RPFS),the Exercise of Self-care Agency scale(ESCA),the Strategies Used by People to Promote Health-Cancer Self-Management Efficacy scale(SUPPH),and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Question-naire-Core 30(EORTC QLQ-C30).Degree of satisfaction with nursing was recorded at one month after discharge.Results Before intervention,there was no significant difference in behavioral,affective,perceived,and cognitive fatigue scores in the RPFS between the 2 groups(P＞0.05).After intervention,the behavioral,emotional,perceived,and cognitive fatigue scores in the RPFS of patients in the 2 groups were lower than those before the intervention,and the study group was lower than the conventional group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Before intervention,there was no significant difference in ESCA and SUPPH scores between the two groups(P＞0.05).After intervention,ESCA and SUP-PH scores in the two groups were higher than those before intervention,and the study group was higher than the conven-tional group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).Before intervention,there was no significant difference in cognitive,emotional,role,social,and physical function scores in EORTC-QLQ-C30 between the 2 groups(P＞0.05).After intervention,the cognitive,emotional,role,social,and physical function scores in the EORTC-QLQ-C30 were higher in the 2 groups than before the intervention,and were higher in the study group than in the conventional group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The degree of satisfaction with nursing in the study group was significantly higher than that in the routine group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The application of a solution-focused approach to postoperative care for patients with TC effectively reduces cancer-related fatigue,strengthens self-care ability and self-efficacy,improves quality of life,and increases patients' degree of satisfaction with nursing.This intervention mer-its wider clinical adoption.