Biofeedback evidence remains limited in cancer care for children and young adults
A systematic review found possible symptom benefits, but small studies, missing control groups and inconsistent methods leave effectiveness uncertain.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review found preliminary suggestions that biofeedback could help with pain, anxiety or fatigue among children and young adults with cancer. However, the small and methodologically weak evidence base does not establish reliable symptom benefits. The findings support further research in this population, without identifying a proven biofeedback approach or estimating how much it helps.
The included studies had small samples, absent control groups and inconsistent methods. The abstract gives no symptom-specific effect estimates or follow-up durations, so the magnitude and persistence of any benefit cannot be judged.
What the review brought together
Researchers examined the types of cancer studied, biofeedback methods, study designs and outcomes. They summarized the studies narratively. The abstract offers no pooled numerical estimate that would show the size of a symptom benefit.
Why the conclusion stays tentative
Without adequate comparison groups, reported symptom changes cannot confidently be attributed to biofeedback. The authors call for more rigorous studies specifically in pediatric and young adult oncology before effectiveness can be established for this setting.
The original publication
Biofeedback in Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancer Care: A Systematic Review.
Barnett M, Langer SA, Matsoukas K et al.
Children (Basel) · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40868450
- Record checked
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