[Purpose] To verify the immediate effects of exercise therapy on cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in cancer patients. [Subjects and Methods] Eighteen cancer patients who performed exercise therapy targeting a rating of 4 (somewhat strong) on the Borg category-ratio scale (CR-10) were enrolled. CRF was evaluated using the Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS). CFS was evaluated in clinical practice immediately before and after exercise therapy on the 1st or 2nd day of physiotherapy for CRF management. CFS scores before and after exercise were compared to determine how CRF changed due to exercise therapy. [Results] CFS physical, CFS affective, CFS cognitive, and CFS total all decreased following exercise therapy, and the changes in CFS physical and CFS total were statistically significant. The effect sizes for CFS physical and CFS total were “medium”, and for CFS affective and CFS cognitive “small.” [Conclusion] These findings suggest that exercise therapy targeting a rating of 4 (somewhat strong) on the CR-10 can immediately reduce CRF in cancer patients.

Background Ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength is a crucial component of gait. Objective We describe the development of a simple, hand-held dynamometer to measure the ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength in the sitting position. In addition, we examine its intra- and inter-rater reliability. Methods Measurements of the peak ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength were obtained by two examiners for 30 ankles of 15 healthy adults at two time points, with a one-day interval between measurements, to determine the inter- and intra-rater reliability. The intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated, and an intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.90 was considered as excellent reliability. A Bland–Altman analysis was used to assess systemic bias. The minimal detectable change in muscle strength was calculated with a confidence level of 95% (MDC 95 ). Results The reliability of the device was excellent for both intra- (intraclass correlation coefficients [1,3] = 0.94) and inter-rater (intraclass correlation coefficients [2,3] = 0.96) comparisons. No fixed or proportional bias was observed between the two examiners. The MDC 95 was 0.77 N/kg. Conclusions Our results indicate the excellent reliability and responsiveness of our device. By obtaining the measurements of dorsiflexor strength while sitting, compensatory motions are suppressed, yielding a more consistent measurement that can be reliably used to detect subtle changes in the ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength.

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