A typology of fatigue in children with cancer
Child; Female; Humans; Male; Adult; British Columbia; Hospitals; Alberta; Pediatric; adolescent; Preschool; Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support; Adaptation; Psychological; Interviews; Fatigue/classification/complications/nursing/psychology; Neoplasms/complications/nursing
Fatigue in adults with cancer has received considerable attention as a troublesome symptom that requires nursing intervention. Fatigue in children with cancer, however, has received considerably less focus. The first phase of the present study used qualitative methods to generate a detailed description of fatigue in children with cancer. Thirteen children (ages 5 to 15) and 12 parents from the oncology service in two regional children's hospitals participated in the initial interviews; a validation sample comprised another 7 children and 6 parents from a third site. Transcribed interviews were subjected to grounded theory analysis. Energy, as an overriding phenomenon, was a core concept in the descriptions of fatigue. Findings suggest that children with cancer may experience three subjectively distinct types of fatigue that represent different levels of energy: typical tiredness, treatment fatigue, and shutdown fatigue. Children managed their dwindling energy and minimized further energy loss through strategies of replenishing, conserving, and preserving. Children's use of these strategies was influenced by temperament, lifestyle, environmental factors, and treatment modalities. Knowledge of the specific types of fatigue in children can offer direction for optimal intervention and for further research.
2002
Davies B; Whitsett SF; Bruce A; McCarthy P
Journal Of Pediatric Oncology Nursing
2002
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Journal Article
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1053/jpon.2002.30012" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1053/jpon.2002.30012</a>
Chemotherapy-related fatigue in childhood cancer: correlates, consequences, and coping strategies
Child; Humans; Parents; Questionnaires; Adaptation; Psychological; Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects; Fatigue/chemically induced; Neoplasms/drug therapy/psychology
The aim of this research is to examine the experience and impact of chemotherapy-related fatigue in recently diagnosed pediatric oncology patients. A repeated-measures, within-subjects, mixed (quantitative plus qualitative) design was used to prospectively assess fatigue during early chemotherapy cycles and to compare fatigue to depressive symptoms. Parental interviews collected concurrently were analyzed for descriptions of the child's fatigue and mood states and for strategies to cope with fatigue. Results indicated a significant correlation between fatigue and depression, but qualitative analyses suggested that the 2 phenomena may be unique and distinguishable. Qualitative analyses of parent interviews also identified specific strategies that were frequently used in response to high levels of fatigue. The findings illustrate the significant impact of chemotherapy-related fatigue in children being treated for cancer. The study also provides guidance for the assessment of fatigue and related symptoms and identifies specific strategies for coping with fatigue.
2008
Whitsett SF; Gudmundsdottir M; Davies B; McCarthy P; Friedman D
Journal Of Pediatric Oncology Nursing
2008
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Journal Article
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1177/1043454208315546" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1177/1043454208315546</a>