Abstract
BackgroundBreast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide. Post-treatment, patients suffer from side effects and have various rehabilitation needs, which means that individualization is fundamental for optimal rehabilitation. This systematic review (SR) of SRs aims to evaluate the current evidence on rehabilitation interventions in female patients following BC treatment.MethodsFull-text SRs published in English from 2009 were searched in Embase, PubMed, Cinahl Complete, PsycINFO, AMED, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria: SRs of randomized or non-randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of rehabilitation interventions in women following BC treatment. All outcomes were considered. Methodological quality was evaluated using the AMSTAR 2 tool and interrater agreement was evaluated. Out of 1269 citations retrieved, 37 SRs were included.ResultsFive rehabilitation areas were identified: exercise and physical activity (PA), complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), yoga, lymphoedema treatment, and psychosocial interventions. The most solid evidence was found in exercise/PA and yoga. Exercise interventions improved outcomes such as shoulder mobility, lymphoedema, pain, fatigue and quality of life (QoL). Effects of yoga were shown on QoL, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, fatigue and gastrointestinal symptoms. The effect of CAM was shown on nausea, pain, fatigue, anger and anxiety but these results need to be interpreted with caution because of low methodological quality in included studies in the SRs. Among the lymphoedema treatments, positive effects were seen for resistance training on volume reduction and muscle strength and psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy had positive effects on QoL, anxiety, depression and mood disturbance.ConclusionsThis SR of SRs show solid positive effects of exercise/PA and yoga for women following BC treatment, and provides extended knowledge of the effects of CAM, yoga, lymphoedema treatment and psychosocial interventions. It is evident that more than one intervention could have positive effects on a specific symptom and that the effects depend not only on intervention type but also on how and when the intervention is provided. The results can be used as a foundation for individualized rehabilitation and aid health care professionals in meeting patients’ individual needs and preferences.Trial registrationPROSPERO (CRD42017060912).
Highlights
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide
The purpose of such a review is to identify and assess all published reviews within a certain area and describe their quality, summarize and compare their conclusions and discuss the strength of these. Through such an approach an evidence base for individualized rehabilitation can be developed. Aim This systematic review (SR) of SRs aims to evaluate the current evidence on rehabilitation interventions in female patients following BC treatment
To provide a comprehensive overview within this complex and largely varying rehabilitation area, a broad scope of SRs evaluating the effect of rehabilitation interventions for patients were included
Summary
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide. Today breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide [1]. Patients with BC may have physical, psychological, social and existential rehabilitation needs [12], and more research is needed to identify the optimal way to support them in their new life situation. An individualized approach identifying each patient’s specific needs is warranted [13]. How this should be done in terms of “who needs what and when” is rarely addressed in either research or clinical practice
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