Previously submitted to: JMIR Research Protocols (no longer under consideration since Jun 23, 2026)
Date Submitted: Sep 9, 2025
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Understanding Role of Physical Rehabilitation in Pain and Quality of Life among Children with Paediatric Tumours: A Qualitative Systematic Review Protocol
ABSTRACT
Abstract
Background:
Children with paediatric tumours often experience persistent pain and significant reductions in quality of life due to both the disease and its treatment. While medical and pharmacological interventions are widely used, the role of physical rehabilitation in alleviating pain and enhancing quality of life has gained increasing attention. A qualitative systematic review is essential to synthesise existing evidence and capture the lived experiences of children, their families, and healthcare providers.
Objective:
This review aims to explore and synthesise qualitative evidence on the role of physical rehabilitation in managing pain and improving quality of life among children diagnosed with paediatric tumours.
Methods:
A systematic search will be conducted across electronic databases (e.g., PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library) to identify qualitative and mixed-methods studies that investigate physical rehabilitation interventions in children aged 0–18 years with paediatric tumours. Data extraction will include study characteristics, intervention details, and reported experiences related to pain and quality of life. A thematic synthesis approach will be used for analysis. Studies will be excluded if they focus exclusively on adults, non-tumour conditions, medical or pharmacological interventions without rehabilitation, or if they lack qualitative data. Expected Outcomes: This review will provide a comprehensive understanding of how physical rehabilitation influences pain management and quality of life in paediatric oncology settings. Findings will inform clinical practice, guide rehabilitation program development, and identify gaps for future research. PROSPERO international database : CRD420251062517
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