Abstract
Objective : To clarify the perception of fatigue as expressed by Japanese cancer patients, and its characteristics. Method : An open-ended questionnaire survey was carried out with 400 Japanese cancer patients and analyzed qualitatively. Results : Out of a total of 237 codes the following four categories were extracted : physical sensation, mental sensation, cognitive sensation, sensation that cannot be expressed in words. Conclusions : A physical sensation was explained as "a sensation characterized by unpleasant sensations perceived physically, a decline in physical function and a loss of physical control", a mental sensation as "a sensation characterized by a decline in motivation and willpower and by a barrier to mental well-being", a cognitive sensation as "a sensation characterized by a decline in the powers of thought and concentration", and a sensation that cannot be expressed in words as "a sensation that is difficult to express in a way that another person can understand". The fatigue expressed by Japanese cancer patients can be explained as "a sensation characterized by the decline of functional status and the discomfort associated with lack of energy", and is consistent with prior research outside of the Japanese language area.
