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

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 aimed to identify and map validated fatigue outcome measures suitable for outpatient radiotherapy settings and discuss 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 time 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, which 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.