Fatigue Search Strategy and Results

Initial references prior to update: 115

Databases searched for update: PubMed, CINAHL

Search results of literature retrieved 5/8/2008–10/21/2016:

  • PubMed
    • Search phrase 1: (Therapy/Broad[filter] OR systematic[sb]) AND ((Fatigue[majr] OR fatigue[ti]) AND (chemotherapy OR cancer OR oncolog* OR neoplasms[majr])) AND ("2008/05/01"[PDAT] : "2016/10/21"[PDAT])
    • 1,254 citations retrieved
    • Search phrase 2:(fatigue in patients with cancer) AND (randomized controlled trial[Publication Type] OR (randomized[Title/Abstract] AND controlled[Title/Abstract] AND trial[Title/Abstract])) AND ("2008/05/01"[PDAT] : "2016/10/21"[PDAT])
    • 1,483 citations retrieved
  • CINAHL
    • (MH "Cancer Fatigue" OR MM fatigue OR TI fatigue ) AND (chemotherapy OR cancer OR oncolog* OR neoplasms)
    • Limiters: Published Date: 20080501-20161021, English Language, Clinical Queries: Therapy - High Sensitivity, Therapy - High Specificity, Therapy - Best Balance
    • 809 citations retrieved

438 titles were selected for a full article review.

442 final studies were included after the removal of duplicates and studies that did not meet inclusion criteria and the addition of manuscripts retrieved in other topics meeting fatigue-specific criteria.

Inclusion Criteria: 

  1. Full research report, systematic review, guideline, or meta-analysis
  2. Study must report results of the measurement of fatigue
  3. Study examines an intervention aimed at affecting the symptom of fatigue
  4. Study sample must include adolescent or adult patients with cancer
  5. As of 1/1/2016, additional inclusions are (a) sample size of at least 40 or 20 per study group, and (b) for complex interventions, the description of the intervention must be sufficient to identify the components of that intervention.

Exclusion Criteria: 

  1. Grey literature
  2. Descriptive-only studies