Physical therapist-led telehealth on functional and psychosocial outcomes for women with stage I-III breast cancer: A systematic review
Conference Year
2021
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Patients with breast cancer experience reduced health and fitness as a result of chemotherapy and radiation. Telehealth increases accessibility to oncology rehabilitation; however, it lacks consistency in supervision parameters. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of PT-supervised telehealth interventions compared to independent exercise on functional and psychosocial outcomes in patients diagnosed with breast cancer stages I-III.
Methods: Articles were selected using CINAHL, OVID Medline, and PEDro databases. Selected studies measured the impact of telehealth-based rehabilitation on functional and psychosocial outcomes for adults undergoing chemotherapy. Quality and level of evidence were assessed using PEDro.
Results: Six RCTs and one single-arm pilot study were included in this systematic review. Interventions ranged from 2-12 months and consisted of aerobic and resistance training. Participants in the PT-supervised group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in abdominal strength, back strength, 10x sit-to-stand, and physical activity level compared to control groups. Mixed effects were observed for measures in handgrip strength, 6MWT, VO2max, QOL, or fatigue.
Conclusion and Implications: The findings demonstrate that PT-led telehealth exercise can promote improvements in function and psychosocial outcomes in breast cancer patients. Additional research is needed to address issues concerning heterogeneity, limited sample size, and study design.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Rebecca Ouellette-Morton
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
Rebecca Ouellette-Morton (Faculty Research Advisor)
Status
Graduate
Student College
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Program/Major
Physical Therapy
Primary Research Category
Health Sciences
Physical therapist-led telehealth on functional and psychosocial outcomes for women with stage I-III breast cancer: A systematic review
Background and Objectives: Patients with breast cancer experience reduced health and fitness as a result of chemotherapy and radiation. Telehealth increases accessibility to oncology rehabilitation; however, it lacks consistency in supervision parameters. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of PT-supervised telehealth interventions compared to independent exercise on functional and psychosocial outcomes in patients diagnosed with breast cancer stages I-III.
Methods: Articles were selected using CINAHL, OVID Medline, and PEDro databases. Selected studies measured the impact of telehealth-based rehabilitation on functional and psychosocial outcomes for adults undergoing chemotherapy. Quality and level of evidence were assessed using PEDro.
Results: Six RCTs and one single-arm pilot study were included in this systematic review. Interventions ranged from 2-12 months and consisted of aerobic and resistance training. Participants in the PT-supervised group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in abdominal strength, back strength, 10x sit-to-stand, and physical activity level compared to control groups. Mixed effects were observed for measures in handgrip strength, 6MWT, VO2max, QOL, or fatigue.
Conclusion and Implications: The findings demonstrate that PT-led telehealth exercise can promote improvements in function and psychosocial outcomes in breast cancer patients. Additional research is needed to address issues concerning heterogeneity, limited sample size, and study design.