Table 2 Intervention Characteristics and Outcomes of included studies

Björneklett et al. (2013)

Face-to-face Group.

Physical/Psychosocial: An information-based programme supplemented with relaxation, qigong, liberating dance, and social activities.

Information sessions included:

- Psychological reactions to serious disease, & coping strategies.

- Practicalities of sick leave from work, insurance & impact of illness on finance

- Food and nutrition

Oncologists, social workers, a psychologist, an art therapist, massage therapists, a dietician and a person trained in qigong and mental visualisation.

One-week inpatient stay followed by four-day follow-up two months later. Duration of individual sessions not specified.

None

Sick Leave: Single item question (Yes/No) and number of days taken for sick leave.

Health care utilisation: Asked the frequency and types of healthcare visits.

Cost-effectiveness

Measured at:

- 2 months

- 6 months

- 12 months

Bolam et al. (2019)

Face-to-face Group.

Physical:

RT-HIIT¹: Resistance Exercises

using machine and free weights followed by High Intensity Interval Training on a cycle ergometer.

AT-HIIT²: 20 min of moderate intensity

continuous Aerobic Exercise followed by HIIT on a cycle ergometer.

Exercise physiologist, oncology nurse.

60-min sessions twice per week on non-consecutive weekdays, over 16 weeks.

None

Sick leave: Single item question (% of leave taken; 0, 25, 50, 75, 100%)

Cancer-related fatigue: Revised Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS)

Quality of Life: EORTC-QLQ-C30¹

Symptom and Symptom Burden: Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS)

Measured at:

- 1 Year

- 2 Years

Hubbard et al. (2013)

Individual Face-to-face, Telephone

Physical/Psychosocial:

Tailored Vocational Rehabilitation Case management. Based on assessment, participants were signposted to at least one of the following services: occupational therapy, physiotherapy, counsellor, psychology, occupational health nurse, and/or complementary therapy.

Case manager, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, counsellor, psychology, occupational health nurse, and complementary therapist

No set duration as interventions varied.

Bio-psychosocial model

Sick leave: Self-report questionnaire (days)

Employment: Questionnaire inc. left or remained in work, job role, hours worked

Quality of Life: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer (FACT-B) [Version 4] and Breast Cancer Subscale.

Cancer-related fatigue: Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-

Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F)

Measured at:

- 6 months

- 12 months

Author

Outcome measures

Format

Content

Facilitator(s)

Duration

Theoretical Framework

Ibrahim et al. (2017)

Individual Face-to-face (and encouragement for home exercises)

Physical:

One-to-one teaching session supervised by exercise physiologist.

Cardiovascular exercise, strength training, endurance programme, stretching programme

Exercise physiologist

Encouraged to perform the programme 2–3 times/week over 12 weeks.

None

Working hours: Post hoc questionnaire

Upper limb function: The Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH)

Measured at:

- Baseline (pre-radiation),

- post-radiation

- 3, 6, 12, and 18-months post-radiation

Jong et al. (2018)

Face-to-Face and Home-Based work | Group

Physical/Psychosocial

A Dru-based Yoga. Programme which includes 15-min blocks of the following:

- Breathing awareness

- Energy block release

- Body awareness

- Relaxation

In addition, women were provided a CD/MP3 download with 20-min relaxation and breathing exercises to complete at home.

Yoga instructors

75-min sessions once a week for 12 weeks.

None

Reintegration to work: Assessed via telephone interview. Returned to work: Binary Yes/No.

Fatigue: Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory [MFI]; Fatigue Quality List [FQL]

Quality of Life: EORTC-QLQ-C-30¹

Psychological Distress: Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale [HADS];

Impact of Events Scale [IES]

Treatment expectations: Participants Expectations questionnaire.

Measured at:

- Baseline (T0)

- 3 months (T1)

- 6 months (T2)

Maguire et al. (1983)

Individual Face-to-face

Physical/Psychosocial

Counselling/Education:

- Nurse advised range of movement exercises for arm.

- Encouragement to look at and discuss scar and loss of breast.

- Demonstration of possible external breast protheses.

- Home-visit post-discharge to assess upper limb monitor adherence to exercises and counselling.

- Encouragement of return to work and social reintegration.

Nurse specialist

Throughout inpatient stay post-surgery (varied among participants). Followed up at home visit every two months until deemed fit for discharge.

None

RTW: Yes/No/ Non-Applicable

Response to scar, prosthesis and breast loss: Interview response (satisfied, neutral, dissatisfied)

Perceived Impact on Swelling, Pain, and Disability: Self report

Social adjustment: Single item question on problems with social adjustment

Housework: Single item question on problems with housework

Marital adjustment:

Concurrent physical illness:

Measured at:

- 3 months

- 12 months

- 18 months

Author

Format

Content

Facilitator(s)

Duration

Theoretical Framework

Outcome measures

Maunsell et al. (1996)

Individual

Face-to-face and Telephone

Psychosocial:

Interventions included mix of information, education, support, counselling and referral where required.

Social worker

Telephone screening every 28 days for total of 12 screening calls.

Brief crisis intervention model.

RTW: Binary Yes/No returned to work

Working hours/week: Number of hours.

Psychologic symptoms: General Health Questionnaire [GHQ]

Psychologic distress: Psychiatric Symptom Index

Social support: Social Support Questionnaire

Stressful Life Events: Life Experiences Survey

Marital satisfaction: The Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test [LWMAT]

Depression and Anxiety: Diagnostic Interview Schedule [DIS]

Physical Health: Self-report

Outcomes measured:

Baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), 6 months (T2)

Mourgues et al. (2014)

Face-to-face Group

Physical/Psychosocial

Multicomponent including physiotherapy, nutritional advice, thermal water treatment, daily two-hour physical activity, running and basic dietary follow-up. Consultation with dietitian every six months.

Physiotherapist, Dietitian,

15-day programme. Daily two-hour physical activity.

None

Occupational activity: Total hourly volume of overall & occupational activity.

Daily abilities: Perception whether health problems impacted on activities.

Outcomes measured: Baseline, 6 & 12 months

Rogers et al. (2009)

Face-to-Face and home-based exercises | Group and Individual

Physical/Psychosocial

The BEAT Cancer programme:

• 12 individual supervised exercise

• Home-based exercise

• 3 individual face-to-face counselling sessions.

• Six discussion group sessions addressing: Social support, Journaling, Time Management, Stress Management, Dealing with Exercise Barriers, Behaviour modification

Clinical Psychologist, Exercise specialists (certified by American College of Sports Medicine or certified eligible).

12-week programme.

Social Cognitive Theory

Sick days: Self-report number of days off work

Quality of life: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Breast (FACT-B) & FACT- G (General)

Fatigue: FACT—Fatigue (FACT-F)

Endocrine symptoms: FACT—Endocrine Symptoms (FACT-ES)

Cognitive function: FACT—Cognitive

Sleep dysfunction: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

Physical activity behaviour: The Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire

Motivational readiness for physical activity: Self-report of stage of change

Lower extremity pain and function: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC)