Outcome Measures of Fatigue in Adults With Cancer Receiving Radiation Therapy: A Scoping Review.

Abstract

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a debilitating symptom experienced by many people undergoing radiation therapy, significantly impacting daily functioning and quality of life. Occupational therapists play a vital role in managing CRF, yet the lack of standardised outcome measures tailored to occupational therapy practice hinders effective assessment and intervention. This scoping review is aimed at identifying and mapping validated fatigue outcome measures suitable for outpatient radiotherapy settings and discussing their relevance to occupational therapy. Following the Arksey and O'Malley framework, a comprehensive search was conducted across MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and PubMed, identifying 445 records. After screening, 12 studies published between 2010 and 2022 from seven countries were included. Breast, head and neck and prostate cancers were commonly studied, most often using prospective cohort designs. Most studies used multidimensional, self-reported outcome measures, administered at multiple times throughout radiotherapy and at follow-up. While these measures assessed physical, emotional and cognitive fatigue, few addressed activity or participation in daily life. The findings highlight a gap in outcome measures that comprehensively evaluate activity and participation. This gap limits their utility in tailoring interventions or demonstrating the impact of occupational therapy. This review underscores the need for developing or adapting CRF outcome measures that better align with occupational therapy goals to enhance clinical decision-making and research in outpatient radiotherapy settings.