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Table 3 Results of individual studies included in the systematic review and meta-analysis

From: Rehabilitation interventions to support return to work for women with breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Author

Work outcomes

Other outcomes

Sick Leave / RTW (Y/N)

Working hours

Other:

Physical

Psychological

QoL

Other

Björneklett et al. (2013)

(Sick Leave - Days):

No significant differences at 0, 2, 6, or 12 months.

     

Healthcare utilisation: Not significant re. visits to medical specialists, GPs or physiotherapists. However, women treated with chemotherapy in intervention group had significantly more visits with ‘Other’ healthcare professionals than the control at 6 and 12 months.

Health economics: Intervention was significantly greater in cost compared to control.

Bolam et al. (2019)

% of sick leave at that timepoint: No significant differences between the two groups at 2 years.

  

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF): Significant differences between RT-HIIT and control groups for CRF and Cognitive CRF in favour of RT-HIIT who experienced improvements in both.

Physical symptoms (Item MSAS): No significant differences

Psychological symptoms (Item of MSAS): No significant differences between groups.

Emotional functioning (item of EORTC): No significant differences

QoL: No significant differences between the two groups.

Total symptoms: Sig. ↓ total symptoms than UC at 2 years in favour of AT-HIIT intervention.

Symptom burden: Sig. ↓ symptom burden than UC at 2 years in favour of AT-HIIT intervention.

Hubbard et al. (2013)

Number of days sick leave:

No significant differences

 

Change in employment pattern: No significant differences between groups

Fatigue: No significant differences

Physical functioning (item of FACT-B): No significant differences

Emotional functioning (item of FACT-B): No significant differences

QoL: Significant differences between groups on breast cancer specific QoL in favour of intervention who experienced improvements.

 

QoL: Quality of Life; RT-HIIT = Resistance Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Training; AT-HIIT = Moderate Intensity Aerobic Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Training

Author

Work outcomes

Other outcomes

Sick Leave / RTW (Y/N)

Working hours

Other:

Physical

Psychological

QoL

Other:

Ibrahim et al. (2017)

 

Not reported for control group therefore unable to ascertain if significant.

 

Upper limb function: No significant differences

   

Jong et al. (2018)

Return to work (Y/N): No significant difference between groups

  

Fatigue: No significant differences

Confidence in fatigue reduction:

Significantly more confident in fatigue reduction in favour of intervention group.

Adequate relief of fatigue (Y/N): Significantly more relief of fatigue in favour of intervention group.

Psychological distress:

No significant differences in levels of anxiety

Significantly less depressive symptoms at 3 months in favour of intervention.

Emotional functioning (item of EORTC): No significant differences

QoL: Significantly less nausea and vomiting at six months in favour of Intervention group. No significant differences for other outcomes.

Impact of events: No significant differences.

Treatment expectations: Intervention group had significantly higher treatment expectations compared to control.

Maguire et al. (1983)

RTW (Y/N): No significant differences

  

Upper limb swelling, pain and disability No significant differences

Reaction to scar, prosthesis and breast loss:

Intervention group were significantly more satisfied with scar, prothesis, breast loss, compared to control.

 

Housework, Social adjustment, Martial adjustment: No significant differences between groups.

QoL: Quality of Life; RT-HIIT = Resistance Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Training; AT-HIIT = Moderate Intensity Aerobic Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Training

Work outcomes

Other outcomes

Author

Sick Leave / RTW (Y/N)

Working hours

Other:

Physical

Psychological

QoL

Other:

Maunsell et al. (1996)

RTW (Y/N):

No significant differences

Working hours (per week): No significant differences

 

Physical health: No significant differences

Psychological distress: No significant differences

 

Perception of health. Functional status, Social activity, Marital relations: No significant differences

Mourgues et al. (2014)

  

Occupational activity (Work): Significant improvement in ability to perform work activities at 12 months in favour of intervention group.

   

Overall activities: Significant differences between groups in favour of intervention who had increased resumption of overall activities in first 12-month period.

Non- occupational activity (Family, household tasks and volunteerism): Significant improvement in ability to perform family activities at 12 months, in favour of intervention.

Cost-effectiveness: Significant differences at 12 months, in favour of intervention

Rogers et al. (2009)

Number of sick days in past month: No significant differences

  

Fatigue, Joint pain, Physical function: No significant differences

Physical functioning (item of FACT-B): No significant differences

Joint stiffness: Significantly greater perceived joint stiffness in intervention group compared to control.

Emotional functioning (item of FACT-B): No significant differences

QoL:

Significant improvement in social well-being in favour of intervention

Not significant for other QoL outcomes

Cognition, Perceived health, Endocrine symptoms, Sleep dysfunction: No significant differences

  1. QoL: Quality of Life; RT-HIIT = Resistance Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Training; AT-HIIT = Moderate Intensity Aerobic Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Training