NUI Galway online programme seeks to help people with post-treatment fatigue

Cancer is exhausting. Sometimes, the treatment can be even more so. Sufferers can endure persistent fatigue, even after they complete treatment. It’s debilitating and it can linger for months or years.

The school of psychology at NUI Galway, with the support of Cancer Care West, has launched a new online programme called Refresh (Recovery from Cancer-Related Fatigue) to help people learn how better to manage fatigue following cancer treatment.

It follows over four years of research into cancer-related fatigue by Cancer Care West and Hardiman scholar and PhD student Teresa Corbett.

Refresh is now recruiting sufferers of post-cancer fatigue to take part in eight free online treatment sessions from their own home.

It’s based on the principles of cognitive-behavioural therapy and will focus on what people do and think in response to their fatigue symptoms. Useful relaxation techniques and advice on how to sleep better will also be provided.

The programme is open to anyone who has completed treatment for any kind of cancer and will take place throughout Ireland. GPs and cancer support networks are encouraged to refer people to the study.

For further information contact Teresa Corbett at the school of psychology: email nuigrefresh@gmail.com or see nuigrefresh.wordpress.com.