Tualang honey in head and neck cancer patients: effects on cancer related fatigue and quality of life
Introduction:Cancer related fatigue (CRF) is a problem experienced by head and neck cancer patients, especially those who underwent chemoradiation therapy.CRF may persist for years post chemoradiation therapy and significantly impair their quality of life (QOL).Tualang honey is rich in amino acid...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.usm.my/56547/1/Dr.%20Viji%20Ramasamay-24%20pages.pdf |
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| Summary: | Introduction:Cancer related fatigue (CRF) is a problem experienced by head and neck
cancer patients, especially those who underwent chemoradiation therapy.CRF may
persist for years post chemoradiation therapy and significantly impair their quality of
life (QOL).Tualang honey is rich in amino acids, vitamins, minerals and enzymes. It is
proven to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumour properties. As CRF is
related to inflammatory mediators, the effects of Tualang Honey may improve CRF.The
aim of this study is to determine if Tualang honey has a role in improving CRF and
quality of life among head and neck cancer patients post chemoradiation.
Methodology: In this open labelled randomized clinical trial, 40 participants aged
between 18 and 65 with head and neck cancer who completed radiotherapy and/or
chemotherapy in Hospital USM, Kelantan Malaysia or Hospital Taiping were recruited
and randomized into two groups; experimental group (Tualang honey) or control group
(Vitamin C). They were prescribed with either daily oral Tualang honey 20mg or tablet
vitamin C 100 mg for 8 weeks.Level of fatigue and quality of life were measured
usingFACIT-Fatigue and FACT H&N questionnaires at baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks.
The white cell countand C-reactive protein level were measured at baseline, 4 weeks
and 8 weeks.
Results: After four and eight weeks of treatment with Tualang honey or Vitamin C, the
fatigue level for study group was better than in the control group, and the differences
were statistically significant (p<0.05). Statistically significant improvements were seen
on quality of life (p<0.05) for the study group at week 8, however, no significant improvements were seen in white cell count and C-reactive protein level between
control and study group.
Conclusion: Our study provided support for the use of Tualang honey to improve CRF
and QOL. The positive results of this study warrant further studies in this field. |
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