Group-based exercise interventions for increasing physical activity in cancer survivors: a systematic review of face-to-face randomized and non-randomized trials

Abstract

Purpose

To increase physical activity (PA), interventions based on group dynamics may be superior to interventions that target aggregates of people but do not have formal strategies to enhance cohesion. This review examined the extent to which group dynamics processes have been integrated within exercise and/or PA interventions in cancer survivors, and explored the implementation and effectiveness of these interventions for increasing PA.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted of English articles published January 2005–March 13, 2017 using the electronic databases PsycINFO, CINAHL, and PubMed Medline (National Library of Medicine). Studies in adult cancer survivors that had a controlled or uncontrolled experimental design, included face-to-face exercise, had a group-based component, and reported PA pre- and post-intervention were included. Self-reported PA effect sizes were estimated for pre- to post-intervention, separately for studies that implemented ≥ 1 group dynamics strategy versus none.

Results

Twenty-three studies were reviewed, 34.8% (n = 8) included ≥ 1 group dynamics strategy (M = 1.6 ± 0.7, range = 1–3). Most interventions were delivered in a healthcare or rehabilitation setting by an exercise professional, and face-to-face exercise dose ranged from 72.0–6000.0 min. PA effect size ranged from 0.3–1.2 for studies that implemented ≥ 1 group dynamics strategy versus 0.4–2.4 for those with none. Studies reviewed lacked detailed examples of group dynamics strategies, and none measured group cohesion.

Conclusions

The additional benefit of group dynamics–based interventions for increasing PA in cancer survivors remains unclear. More research is needed to enhance the generalizability of face-to-face exercise interventions, and determine how to maximize the potential of including group dynamics strategies.

Appendix

Medline search conducted on March 13, 2017.

((((((((((((((((((“previous history”[Title/Abstract]) OR Recurrence[Title/Abstract]) OR “personal history”[Title/Abstract]) OR Recurrences[Title/Abstract]) OR Recrudescences[Title/Abstract]) OR Relapse[Title/Abstract]) OR Relapses[Title/Abstract]) OR Survivors[Title/Abstract]) OR Survivor[Title/Abstract]) OR Survivors[MeSH Terms])) AND (((Neoplasms[MeSH Terms]) OR Neoplasm*) OR cancer[Title/Abstract]))) OR surveillance mammogra*[Title/Abstract]))) AND ((((adult[Title/Abstract]) OR “middle aged”[Title/Abstract])) OR ((“Young Adult”[Mesh] OR “Adult”[Mesh]) OR “Middle Aged”[Mesh]))) AND (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Exercise[MeSH Terms]) OR Exercise[Title/Abstract]) OR Jogging[MeSH Terms]) OR jog*[Title/Abstract]) OR running[MeSH Terms]) OR run*[Title/Abstract]) OR Motor activity[MeSH Terms]) OR “Motor activity”[Title/Abstract]) OR Polymeric exercise[MeSH Terms]) OR Resistance training[MeSH Terms]) OR “Resistance training”[Title/Abstract]) OR Swimming[MeSH Terms]) OR swim*[Title/Abstract]) OR Walking[MeSH Terms]) OR walk*[Title/Abstract]) OR yoga[MeSH Terms]) OR yoga[Title/Abstract]) OR Weight Lifting[MeSH Terms]) OR “Weight Lifting”[Title/Abstract]) OR Gardening[Title/Abstract]) OR Gardening[MeSH Terms]) OR stretch*[Title/Abstract]) OR Leisure Activities[MeSH Terms]) OR Muscle Stretching Exercises[MeSH Terms]) OR Dancing[MeSH Terms]) OR danc*[Title/Abstract]) OR Bicycling[MeSH Terms]) OR Bicycling[Title/Abstract]) OR Stair Climbing[MeSH Terms]) OR climb[Title/Abstract]) OR Hiking[Title/Abstract]) OR Sports[MeSH Terms]) OR sport*[Title/Abstract]) OR Motor activity[MeSH Terms]) OR “Motor activity”[Title/Abstract]) OR Health Promotion[MeSH Terms]) OR “Health Promotion”[Title/Abstract]) OR Physical Conditioning, Human[MeSH Terms]) OR plyometric exercise[MeSH Terms]) OR Aerobic[Title/Abstract]) OR “Muscle-strengthening”[Title/Abstract]) OR “Resistance training”[Title/Abstract]) OR plyometric[Title/Abstract]) OR jump*[Title/Abstract]) OR Baseball[Title/Abstract]) OR Basketball[Title/Abstract]) OR Bicycling[Title/Abstract]) OR Boxing[Title/Abstract]) OR Football[Title/Abstract]) OR soccer[Title/Abstract]) OR Softball[Title/Abstract]) OR golf[Title/Abstract]) OR Gymnastics[Title/Abstract]) OR Hockey[Title/Abstract]) OR “Martial Arts”[Title/Abstract]) OR “Tai Ji”[Title/Abstract]) OR “Tai chi”[Title/Abstract]) OR Mountaineering[Title/Abstract]) OR “Racquet Sports”[Title/Abstract]) OR Tennis[Title/Abstract]) OR track[Title/Abstract]) OR skating[Title/Abstract]) OR skiing[Title/Abstract]) OR soccer[Title/Abstract]) OR swim*[Title/Abstract]) OR “Weight Lifting”[Title/Abstract]) OR Wrestling[Title/Abstract]) OR Volleyball[Title/Abstract])) AND (((((((((((((((((((((trial[Title/Abstract]) OR study[Title/Abstract]) OR studies[Title/Abstract]) OR controlled) OR control[Title/Abstract]) OR case[Title/Abstract]) OR cases[Title/Abstract]) OR mask*[Title/Abstract]) OR “4 arm”[Title/Abstract]) OR “four arm”[Title/Abstract]) OR single[Title/Abstract]) OR doubled[Title/Abstract]) OR triple[Title/Abstract]) OR single[Title/Abstract]) OR pre-test[Title/Abstract]) OR pretest[Title/Abstract]) OR posttest[Title/Abstract]) OR post-test[Title/Abstract]) OR “program evaluation”[Title/Abstract])) OR (((“Clinical Studies as Topic”[Mesh] OR “Evaluation Studies” [Publication Type] OR “Evaluation Studies as Topic”[Mesh] OR “Cross-Sectional Studies”[Mesh] OR “Observational Studies as Topic”[Mesh] OR “Cross-Over Studies”[Mesh] OR “Case-Control Studies”[Mesh] OR “Multicenter Studies as Topic”[Mesh] OR “Cohort Studies”[Mesh] OR “Longitudinal Studies”[Mesh] OR “Follow-Up Studies”[Mesh] OR “Controlled Before-After Studies”[Mesh]) OR (“Controlled Clinical Trial” [Publication Type] OR “Randomized Controlled Trial” [Publication Type] OR “Clinical Trial, Phase III” [Publication Type] OR “Clinical Trial, Phase II” [Publication Type] OR “Clinical Trial, Phase I” [Publication Type])) OR “Evidence-Based Medicine”[Mesh]))