Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2022

A systematic review of multi-modal prehabilitation in breast cancer   (#433)

Kellie Toohey 1 2 , Maddison Hunter 1 2 , Karen McKinnon 3 , Tamara Casey 3 , Murray Turner 1 2 , Suzanne Taylor 3 , Catherine Paterson 1 2 4
  1. University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
  2. University of Canberra, Prehabilitation, Activity, Cancer, Exercise and Survivorship (PACES) Research Group, Bruce, ACT, Australia
  3. Australian Capital Territory Breast Care, Calvary Public Hospital, Bruce, ACT, Australia
  4. Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland

Aims

Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy in women. Prehabilitation may offer improvements in physical and psychological wellbeing among women prior to treatment. The aim of this systematic review was to determine efficacy of prehabilitation in women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Methods

A systematic review has been performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines.  Studies exploring the impact of prehabilitation interventions in women with breast cancer were included. Studies were assessed independently according to pre-eligibility criterion. Data extraction and methodological quality were assessed in parallel, and a narrative synthesis was conducted. 

Results

3184 records were identified according to search criteria, 14 articles were included. The articles comprised of quantitative randomised controlled trials (n=7), quantitative non-randomised studies (n=5), a qualitative study (n=1), and a mixed method study (n=1). The majority of selected studies completed exercise programs (n=4) or had a component of exercise (n=2), with two of these focusing on upper limb exercise. An additional two articles reported smoking cessation, with single studies reporting on multi-modal prehabilitation, and complementary and alternative therapies (n=5) such as psychosocial, aromatherapy, traditional medicine, relaxation, and comprehensive nursing interventions. In most studies, the prehabilitation intervention was successful in improving outcomes such as: physical function, quality of life, and psychosocial variables (P<0.05). The qualitative data identified a preference for multi-modal prehabilitation, compared to unimodal with interest in receiving support for longer.

Conclusions

Prehabilitation for patients with breast cancer is an emerging research area that appears to improve outcomes, however ensuring adequate intervention timeframes, follow-up, and population groups should be considered for future investigations. This review provides emerging evidence that will contribute toward future research to inform the redesign of clinical models of prehabilitation to address the supportive care needs of patients diagnosed with breast cancer.