The effect of education related to fatigue and the planned walking program given to children with cancer treatment and their parents on the fatigue level of the children

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of fatigue education and planned walking program given to children undergoing cancer treatment and their families on fatigue levels of children. Method: The research was carried out as a non-randomized controlled experimental study in children and adolescents who received chemotherapy in the Akdeniz University Hospital Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic. Study data were collected between January 2020 and December 2022. The sample size was 44 children in total. From the start of the study, the first 22 children who received 5-day chemotherapy in 15-day periods were included in the training group, and the next 22 children were included in the walking group. While the training group was given training on fatigue only, the walking group was trained on fatigue and a planned walking program was applied. Each child included in the sample for the measurements and their parents' Fatigue Evaluation Scale for Pediatric Oncology Patients aged 7-12, Fatigue Evaluation Scale for Pediatric Oncology Patients aged 7-12, Parents' Fatigue Evaluation Scale for Pediatric Oncology Patients aged 13-18, and Parents Evaluation Scale for Pediatric Oncology Patients aged 13-18 Patients' Fatigue Assessment Scale was applied. Statistical analyzes of all the data obtained in the research were analyzed with the SPSS 20.0 (IBM Electronics, USA) statistical program. Results: According to the results of the analysis carried out to determine whether there is a significant difference between the pre-test-post-test scores of the groups within the scope of the study, the children aged 7-12 (p<0.05), children aged 13-18 (p<0.05) and parents of children aged 13-18 (p<0.05), in the walking group and post-test scores were significantly increased. The scale used is a Likert-type scale, and increasing scores indicate that children's fatigue levels decrease. Conclusion: It has been determined that the planned walking program is an effective method in reducing the fatigue level of children and adolescents receiving cancer treatment.