Physical therapy interventions, other than general physical exercise interventions, in children and adolescents before, during and following treatment for cancer

Abstract

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: Primary objective To evaluate the efficacy of physical therapy intervention on the quality of life (QoL) outcomes of children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with cancer. Participants must be between the ages of 0 and 19 years at the time of the physical therapy intervention study. The intervention may occur prior to, during or following cancer treatment, or in a range of times of delivery. The intervention must be compared to a control group of children receiving standard care, no physical therapy intervention or a comparison intervention. We will exclude general physical exercise studies where the primary aim is to improve physical fitness through aerobic, anaerobic, resistance exercise, or combined physical exercise training regimens (i.e. combined aerobic and resistance exercise regimens). We will also record any adverse effects resulting from physical therapy interventions. Secondary objectives To evaluate the efficacy of physical therapy interventions on fatigue, pain, peripheral neuropathy, balance and gait, as well as the range of motion and strength of a specific joint or impaired body region.