Clinical massage therapy for patients with cancer-related fatigue : protocol of a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a prevalent and debilitating symptom experienced by cancer survivors, one that severely compromises functional independence and quality of life. Clinical massage therapy (CMT), as an important part of complementary and alternative medicine, is widely employed among massage therapists, physical therapists, nurses, and physicians when managing CRF. Clinical research indicates that CMT produced relief of CRF. In this systematic review, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of CMT for patients with CRF. METHODS: We will search the following electronic databases for randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of CMT for CRF in cancer patients: CENTRAL, Embase, MEDILINE, CINAHL and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Each database will be searched from inception to October 2018. The entire process will include study selection, data extraction, risk of bias assessment and meta-analyses. RESULTS: This proposed study will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of CMT for CRF. The outcomes will include change in quality of life, fatigue relief and adverse effect. CONCLUSIONS: This proposed systematic review will evaluate the existing evidence on the effectiveness and safety of CMT for patients with CRF. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: The results of this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. Because all of the data used in this systematic review and meta-analysis has been published, this review does not require ethical approval. Furthermore, all data will be analyzed anonymously during the review process.