Non-pharmacological interventions to manage fatigue and psychological stress in children and adolescents with cancer: an integrative review

Abstract

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most stressful and prevalent symptom in paediatric oncology patients. This integrative review aimed to identify, analyse and synthesise the evidence of non-pharmacological intervention studies to manage fatigue and psychological stress in a paediatric population with cancer. Eight electronic databases were used for the search: PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, LILACS, EMBASE, SCOPUS, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library. Initially, 273 articles were found; after the exclusion of repeated articles, reading of the titles, abstracts and the full articles, a final sample of nine articles was obtained. The articles were grouped into five categories: physical exercise, healing touch, music therapy, therapeutic massage, nursing interventions and health education. Among the nine studies, six showed statistical significance regarding the fatigue and/or stress levels, showing that the use of the interventions led to symptoms decrease. The most frequently tested intervention was programmed physical exercises. It is suggested that these interventions are complementary to conventional treatment and that their use can indicate an improvement in CRF and psychological stress.

A Narrative Review on the Potential of Red Beetroot as an Adjuvant Strategy to Counter Fatigue in Children with Cancer

“…Thus, CRF ultimately affects the quality of life (QOL) of children with cancer by impeding patients' ability to engage in daily activities [15]. As a result, there is a growing interest in developing non-pharmacological interventions to minimize fatigue and its negative impact on pediatric cancer patients [16,17].…”

“…Multiple non-pharmacological interventions have been developed to reduce fatigue in children with cancer [16,17]. These include exercise, massage, healing touch, music therapy, acupressure, and health education [16,17].…”

Cuidado ao câncer e a prática interdisciplinar

“…A pesquisa na área do cuidado ao câncer é essencial para gerar a base de conhecimento que fundamenta a prática clínica e as políticas públicas neste campo, além de poder identificar o impacto do câncer e do tratamento na vida de pacientes e familiares 3 . Os profissionais de saúde, incluindo os enfermeiros, têm buscado desenvolver métodos e abordagens, protocolos clínicos e intervenções efetivas às reais necessidades dos pacientes com câncer e seus familiares, com vistas ao cuidado personalizado 3,4 .…”

“…Embora a clínica, a arte de diagnosticar e tratar seus doentes não possa se desvincular completamente da especulação experimental, da investigação, que lhe fornece as evidências científicas para a prática profissional, de outro lado e tão importante quanto está o cuidado ao paciente com câncer que se beneficiará das descobertas destas investigações 3 . O cuidar é muito mais abrangente do que o curar e, que por vezes não necessita de sofisticações tecnológicas, mas sim de uma equipe interdisciplinar complexa, bem treinada e, sobretudo, humanizada 3,4 . Nesse sentido, a abordagem interdisciplinar é essencial para o progresso no âmbito do cuidado ao câncer.…”

Our multidisciplinary journal: November 2016 issue takes us from spirituality to long-term survivors of childhood cancer

“…Lopes‐Júnior et al. () look at non‐pharmacological methods to manage fatigue and psychological stress in children. Their fascinating article examines five main categories of interventions: physical exercise, healing touch, music therapy, therapeutic massage, nursing interventions and health education.…”