Objective:
This scoping review will aim to identify the domains contributing to cancer-related fatigue in childhood cancer survivors and will explore whether non-pharmacological interventions have addressed these domains. This information will help to better define cancer-related fatigue, identify knowledge gaps in the literature, and direct future research efforts.
Introduction:
Cancer-related fatigue is a commonly reported symptom in aftercare following childhood cancer treatments. However, its operational definition and contributors are unclear, which makes it difficult to select targets and design adequate interventions. In this scoping review, we will identify contributing domains to help clarify their role as key characteristics of cancer-related fatigue. We will then review the evidence as to whether these contributing domains have been addressed by non-pharmacological interventions aiming at fatigue.
Inclusion criteria:
We will include articles on cancer-related fatigue following childhood cancer treatments (age at diagnosis ≤21 years) and non-pharmacological interventions aiming to reduce fatigue. We will retain qualitative and quantitative studies written in English or French.
Methods:
In accordance with the JBI methodological framework for conducting scoping reviews, we will perform a search in PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, Grey Matters, OAlster, and OpenGrey. We will use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. The data collection and analysis of eligible articles will be performed by two independent reviewers and will be classified in summary tables. The findings on contributors will be synthesized in a cross table linking contributor domains with intervention type.
Correspondence: Serge Sultan, serge.sultan@umontreal.ca
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
© 2021 Joanna Briggs Institute.