Cancer patients will inevitably develop some sort of fatigue while going through chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The problem is that it is difficult for health care professionals to accurately assess its severity. There is a new method being studied to help nurses and physicians provide an instant measurement of a patient's fatigue.

The method is called ecological momentary assessment, also known as real-time assessment. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network defines fatigue as "an unusual, persistent, subjective sense of tiredness related to cancer or cancer treatment that interferes with usual functioning".

This new method to gauge fatigue in the patient works by using a device that is worn like a wristwatch. It reminds the patients three times a day to record the intensity of their fatigue. This system is supposed to be more accurate than relying on the patient's memory. It is difficult for patients to go back in time, says Eileen Hacker, clinical assistant professor and lead researcher of the study.

Also according to Hacker, "This is the first study of real-time collections of fatigue date in acutely ill cancer patients. This tool holds substantial promise for investigating fatigue and other cancer symptoms".