Article

Cancer survivorship is increasing. However, life-saving treatments often
leave people with physical, cognitive and emotional sequelae that contribute to
activity and participation limitations. The purpose of this review is to
summarize current evidence regarding rehabilitation interventions to address
problems during survivorship. METHOD: Best evidence synthesis. The review took as
its starting point a systematic review of patient needs and supportive care
interventions following cancer treatment. The study team identified the needs
which could be addressed by rehabilitation and suggested others not originally
included. Then they built on the earlier review's conclusions regarding effective
intervention through extraction of results from subsequent systematic reviews and
randomized controlled trials. RESULTS: Evidence regarding the effectiveness of
potential rehabilitation interventions was reviewed for physical functioning,
fatigue, pain, sexual functioning, cognitive functioning, depression, employment,
nutrition and participation. With the exception of physical rehabilitation
interventions following breast cancer, this literature tends to focus on
psychoeducational interventions, which have demonstrated limited effectiveness
for rehabilitation outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the knowledge available
regarding potential rehabilitation interventions comes from psychosocial oncology
literature. While there are limitations, this literature provides an excellent
starting point to examine the potential effectiveness of rehabilitation
interventions within cancer survivorship programs. IMPLICATIONS FOR
REHABILITATION: Good evidence exists for the use of exercise/physical
rehabilitation in reducing fatigue after treatment for most cancers, and
improving upper extremity functioning following treatment for breast cancer.
Preliminary evidence exists in a number of areas that may be improved by
rehabilitation interventions, such as pain, sexual functioning, cognitive
functioning and return to work, but further research is needed. No intervention
studies addressing participation limitations were identified. Rehabilitation
professionals are encouraged to take the lead in exploring participation
limitations among cancer survivors and developing suitable interventions.

Langue : ANGLAIS