Tai Chi and other mind-body interventions for cancer-related fatigue: an updated systematic review and network meta-analyses protocol

Author: Hong-Juan Fu1,2, Hao Zhou2, Yong Tang3, Jie Li1, Da Zhang2, Song-Yi Ding2, Qin-Wan Huang4, Chao Wang5,2
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shierqiao Campus, Chengdu, China. <sup>2</sup> Sichuan Integrative Medicine Hospital, Chengdu, China. <sup>3</sup> Acupuncture-Moxibustion School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital, Chengdu, China. <sup>4</sup> School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China. <sup>5</sup> Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shierqiao Campus, Chengdu, China wc15520776001@163.com.
Conference/Journal: BMJ Open
Date published: 2022 Jan 7
Other: Volume ID: 12 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: e052137 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052137. , Word Count: 266


Introduction:
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in patients with cancer and is responsible for a reduced quality of life. There is a strong evidence base for mind-body interventions (MBIs) to manage cancer-related fatigue (CRF). However, the efficacy of Tai Chi and other MBIs in the treatment of CRF remains controversial.

Methods and analysis:
We will perform a systematic review and network meta-analyses (NMAs) that aim to assess the effects of Tai Chi and other MBIs in patients with CRF. The following databases will be searched from their inception to 1 August 2021: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, OVID, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database, Chinese Biomedical Database and Wan Fang Digital Journals. We will include randomised controlled trials that compare MBIs with no treatment, placebo and usual care in the treatment of CRF. The primary outcome will be changes in the fatigue state as evaluated by validated scales. We will perform a Bayesian NMA to analyse all the evidence for each outcome. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve and the mean ranks will be used to rank the various treatments. We will assess the quality of evidence contributing to network estimates of outcomes using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system framework.

Ethics and dissemination:
This NMAs will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Since no individual patient data will be involved in the review, ethics approval and concerns about privacy are not needed.

Prospero registration number:
CRD42021244999.

Keywords: adult oncology; complementary medicine; oncology.

PMID: 34996789 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052137