Interventions minimizing fatigue in children/adolescents with cancer: An integrative review

Author(s)

Rodrigues Nunes, Michelle Darezzo ^[1] ; Bomfim, Emiliana ^[2] ; Olson, Karin ^[3] ; Lopes-Junior, Luis Carlos ^[4] ; Silva-Rodrigues, Fernanda Machado ^[5] ; Garcia de Lima, Regina Aparecida ^[4] ; Nascimento, Lucila Castanheira ^[4]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estado Rio De Janeiro, Dept Maternal Infant, Blvd 28 Setembro, 157 Vila Isabel, BR-14040902 Rio De Janeiro, RJ - Brazil

^[2] Univ Saskatchewan, Coll Med, Dept Hlth Sci, Saskatoon, SK - Canada

^[3] Univ Alberta, Fac Nursing, Edmonton, AB - Canada

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Coll Nursing, Dept Maternal Infant & Publ Hlth Nursing, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Coll Nursing, Interunit Doctoral Program Nursing, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: JOURNAL OF CHILD HEALTH CARE; v. 22, n. 2, p. 186-204, JUN 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

Fatigue is among the most common, debilitating, and distressing symptoms associated with chronic condition in pediatric population. The purpose of this study was to identify non-pharmacological fatigue interventions in children and adolescents with cancer. For this, we carried out an integrative review of the literature from January 2000 to December 2016. A comprehensive search of four databases was conducted: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Psychology Information, Medline via PubMed, and Web of Science. Randomized controlled trial, quasi-experimental, case-control and cohort studies were included in this review. Thirteen relevant studies were included for analysis. Seven papers reported positive outcomes for exercise, exercise plus leisure activities, healing touch and acupressure. In another six papers using exercise, exercise plus psychological intervention and massage, no effectiveness was found. Effective management of fatigue in children and adolescents is important but research in this area is limited, so the results of this review should be interpreted cautiously. Future researchers are encouraged to test the effective interventions in homogenous cancer populations and in other groups where fatigue is a common concern. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/20055-6 - Assessment of fatigue in children and adolescents with cancer and its relations with sleep patterns and quality of life
• Grantee: Michelle Darezzo Rodrigues Nunes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate