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Self-management interventions for cancer survivors: a systematic review

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Abstract

Purpose

Many cancer survivors experience problems with persisting symptoms such as pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression post-treatment. Self-management interventions are recommended for cancer patients as they can help individuals identify and manage these continuing symptoms. This systematic review examines the type, content and impact of self-management interventions for cancer survivors on health outcomes such as activity participation, self-efficacy, quality of life and symptom management.

Methods

This was a systematic review of the English language scientific literature searched for randomised controlled trials (RCT), systematic reviews and meta-analyses of self-management programmes conducted with cancer survivors. Six databases were systematically searched.

Results

Initial searches yielded 2633 citations. Following screening and a risk of bias assessment, six studies were included in the final review. Heterogeneity of the interventions precluded meta-analysis. Three studies reported significant differences between groups in a number of areas including fatigue, physical functioning, distress and self-efficacy at their first follow-up assessment. These studies included two psychosocial interventions and one exercise and diet intervention. Not all findings were sustained across studies at follow-up assessment.

Conclusion

It is not possible to draw definitive conclusions as to the impact the different types of self-management programme had on cancer survivors. The sustainability of the interventions reviewed was poor, suggesting that cancer survivors require interventions that can be applied into their daily activities.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their appreciation to the researchers who conducted the studies included in this review and the patients who participated in them.

Funding

One of the authors (KB) is funded by the Health Research Board (HRB) in Ireland under grant no. RL-15-1579. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the HRB.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Discipline of Occupational Therapy, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James’s Hospital, James’s Street, Dublin 8, DO8 W9RT, Ireland

    Lauren Boland & Deirdre Connolly

  2. Division of Population Health Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland

    Kathleen Bennett

Authors
  1. Lauren Boland
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  2. Kathleen Bennett
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  3. Deirdre Connolly
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Correspondence to Lauren Boland.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

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Boland, L., Bennett, K. & Connolly, D. Self-management interventions for cancer survivors: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer 26, 1585–1595 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-017-3999-7

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