Multidisciplinary Outpatient Cancer Rehabilitation Can Improve Cancer Patients’ Physical and Psychosocial Status—a Systematic Review

Abstract

Purpose of Review This systematic review aimed to determine the effects of interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation programmes by looking at physical, psychosocial and return to work status of adult cancer patients. Recent Findings There is growing evidence that emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary rehabilitation especially in outpatient care, which addresses the complex and individual needs of cancer patients. Many studies focus on measuring the effect of individual rehabilitation interventions. Summary Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and before-after studies examining the effects of interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation programmes were included in this systematic review. The electronic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and PEDro. The PICO statement was used for selection of the studies. Six randomized controlled trials and six before-after studies were included. Interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary outpatient cancer rehabilitation programmes improved physical and/or psychosocial status of cancer patients. However, non-significant changes in a variety of single physical and psychosocial measures were also common. The findings of the systematic review indicate that interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary outpatient cancer rehabilitation can improve cancer patients’ physical and psychosocial status. This review is limited by the narrative approach due to the heterogeneity of outcome measures. To evaluate effects of rehabilitation, better comparable studies are necessary. Further research is needed in regard to long-term outcomes, effects on return to work status and on the associations depending on cancer type.

Improved models of care for cancer survivors

“…Rehabilitation interventions should be tailored using a stepped care approach according to need, differing levels of comorbidities, and impairment. 69 A Cochrane review (13 RCTs, 1669 participants) 70 and a review (six RCTs, 682 participants) 71 of multidimensional outpatient rehabilitation programmes showed positive effects on quality of life, physical and emotional functioning, and return to work. Exercise interventions can lead to improvement in physical capacity and cardiorespiratory fitness, can improve fatigue and depression, 72 and could improve survival.…”

Psychosocial adaptation and influencing factors among patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

“…This is consistent with previous studies in which CIPN patients with caregivers experienced psychological distress due to forced caregiving[ 23 ], cancer survivors who return to work, and reduced overtime hours had improved overall quality of life[ 24 ], and patients with higher levels of education are likely to be more understanding and cooperative with treatment[ 25 ]. The study showed that multidisciplinary outpatient rehabilitation programs consisting of exercise intervention, psychotherapy, information support and professional counseling with each other can improve the physical and or psychosocial status of cancer survivors[ 26 ].Our study further demonstrates the psychosocial burden of CIPN patients in the post-chemotherapy setting. Therefore, more high-quality multidisciplinary supportive care needs to be sought to help CIPN patients cope with post-chemotherapy toxicity.…”

“…In addition, other studies have shown that interventions using a biopsychosocial model can significantly improve the quality of life of patients. Biological, psychological and social–environmental factors can improve clinical outcomes, especially for pain management after cancer, and individual factors should not be underestimated[ 26 ]. Another study showed that the level of adaptation of CIPN patients influenced individual coping styles and behavioral patterns[ 30 ].…”

Health-Related Quality of Life, Fatigue, Level of Physical Activity, and Physical Capacity Before and After an Outpatient Rehabilitation Program for Women Within Working Age Treated for Breast Cancer

“…Meta-analyses indicate that multidisciplinary interventions, consisting of both physical and psychosocial components, have positive effects on fatigue and physical function in BC survivors (Myrhaug et al 2018;Scott 2013). A recent systematic review also indicated that multidisciplinary outpatient programs in different cancer types improve physical and psychosocial outcomes (Kudre et al 2020). Moreover, studies have demonstrated positive effects of exercise programs in BC populations after treatment on fatigue, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical function, and HRQoL (Campbell et al 2019;Lahart et al 2018).…”