This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Davies, B. Articles by McCarthy, P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Davies, B. Articles by McCarthy, P. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

A Typology of Fatigue in Children With Cancer

Stan F. Whitsett, PhD

Anne Bruce, MSN, RN

Patricia McCarthy, MSN, RN

Fatigue in adults with cancer has received considerable attention as a trouble some 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. Knowl edge of the specific types of fatigue in children can offer direction for optimal intervention and for further research.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. af Sandeberg, E. Johansson, O. Bjork, and L. Wettergren Health-Related Quality of Life Relates to School Attendance in Children on Treatment for Cancer Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, September 1, 2008; 25(5): 265 - 274. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. L. Corey, J. E. Haase, F. Azzouz, and P. O. Monahan Social Support and Symptom Distress in Adolescents/Young Adults With Cancer Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, September 1, 2008; 25(5): 275 - 284. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. F. Whitsett, M. Gudmundsdottir, B. Davies, P. McCarthy, and D. Friedman Chemotherapy-Related Fatigue in Childhood Cancer: Correlates, Consequences, and Coping Strategies Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, April 1, 2008; 25(2): 86 - 96. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. M. Ward, P. Brandt, K. Archbold, M. Lentz, S. Ringold, C. A. Wallace, and C. A. Landis Polysomnography and Self-reported Sleep, Pain, Fatigue, and Anxiety in Children with Active and Inactive Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis J. Pediatr. Psychol., April 1, 2008; 33(3): 232 - 241. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. J. Meltzer and M. Moore Sleep Disruptions in Parents of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Illnesses: Prevalence, Causes, and Consequences J. Pediatr. Psychol., April 1, 2008; 33(3): 279 - 291. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Mooney-Doyle An Examination of Fatigue in Advanced Childhood Cancer Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, November 1, 2006; 23(6): 305 - 310. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Bjork, T. Wiebe, and I. Hallstrom Striving to Survive: Families' Lived Experiences When a Child Is Diagnosed With Cancer Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, September 1, 2005; 22(5): 265 - 275. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Hockenberry Symptom Management Research in Children With Cancer Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, May 1, 2004; 21(3): 132 - 136. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Hicks, J. Bartholomew, P. Ward-Smith, and C. Hutto Quality of Life among Childhood Leukemia Patients Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, July 1, 2003; 20(4): 192 - 200. [Abstract] [PDF]