Therapy modalities to reduce lymphoedema in female breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of compression bandages, sleeves, intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) and active exercise on the reduction of breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL). A systematic literature search up to the year January 2016 was performed in CINAHL, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO), PEDro and PubMed. Inclusion criteria were (1) RCTs, (2) reported adequate statistics for meta-analysis, (3) English or German language. Exclusion criteria were (1) effects of drugs, hormonal, radiation and surgical procedures, (2) studies with children, (3) non-breast cancers, lower extremity oedema, (4) impact on fatigue only, diets or sexually transmitted diseases, (5) cost-analysis only and (6) non-carcinogenic syndromes or (7) prevention of breast cancer. After scoring the methodological quality of the selected studies, data concerning volume reduction of the oedema swelling were extracted. Thirty-two studies were included in this systematic review. Nine studies were selected for the RCT-based studies and 19 studies were included in the pre-post studies-based random-effects meta-analyses. All conclusions should be taken with precautions because of the insufficient quality of the selected papers. Exercise seems beneficial in reducing oedema volume in BCRL. IPC seems beneficial in helping to reduce the oedema volume in the acute phase of treatment. Compression sleeves do not aid in the volume reduction in the acute phase; however, they do prevent additional swelling. KEYWORDS: Axillary dissection or breast cancer; Lymphoedema; Mastectomy; Wome

Development and testing of a behavioural change intervention to increase physical activity, predominantly through walking, after stroke

Introduction Globally stroke remains the leading cause of adult disability. An aging population and a reduction in stroke case fatality has led to an increasing number of people living with stroke i.e. stroke survivors. The ability to perform important day-to-day activities, such as walking and housework, is frequently impaired in stroke survivors. Therefore, it has become essential to address the long-term needs of stroke survivors, prompting focussed research on life after stroke. A reduction in physical fitness after stroke may contribute to stroke related disability. It is possible to improve physical fitness by regular, structured physical activity. Improving physical fitness after stroke and increasing physical activity are aspects of life after stroke that are increasingly being researched. Although the evidence base for the benefits of physical fitness training is growing, research has indicated that benefits gained are not always maintained at follow-up. To facilitate the uptake and maintenance of physical activity after stroke, it is essential to understand why many stroke survivors do not undertake regular physical activity. Understanding this difficult concept will enable the tailoring of behaviour change interventions to promote and maintain physical activity after stroke. However, there has been limited work in developing theory driven behaviour change interventions to increase physical activity in stroke survivors. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to develop and test a behaviour change intervention to increase physical activity after stroke. Methods In order to address the above aim, six interlinking studies were conducted within the development and feasibility stages of the MRC framework for the development of complex interventions. A systematic review (study one) examined barriers and facilitators to physical activity perceived by stroke survivors. This study showed a lack of literature in this area, and that the already published studies had limited generalisability to the UK stroke population. Therefore, it was deemed appropriate to conduct a qualitative study (study two) to examine the perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity in the local stroke population. Both studies one and two highlighted the influence of self-efficacy towards increasing physical activity. As part of earlier work conducted prior to this PhD, there was previously unanalysed data on perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity after stroke. These quantitative data encompassed specific questions exploring self-efficacy and intention to physical activity post stroke. In light of the evidence it was deemed necessary to analyse these data (study three). It was envisaged that the behaviour change intervention would incorporate a feedback device, so participants could clearly see how much daily physical activity they were undertaking. An opportunity arose to collaborate with a team at Newcastle University who had developed an accelerometer that incorporated an immediate feedback screen. Therefore, a device validation study was conducted as study four. Results from studies one to four were combined, with the use of the Theoretical Domains Framework, and the behaviour change intervention was developed. Two uncontrolled pilot studies (studies five and six) were conducted to determine the feasibility and acceptability of the behaviour change intervention to the stroke population. Results The systematic review included six articles, providing data on 174 stroke survivors. Commonly reported barriers were environmental factors, health concerns and stroke impairments. Commonly reported facilitators were social support and the need to be able to perform daily tasks. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 13 stroke survivors, at which point data saturation was reached. The most commonly reported TDF domains were ‘beliefs about capabilities’, ‘environmental context and resources’ and ‘social influence’. The quantitative study provided data from 50 stroke survivors. Intention and self-efficacy were high, with self-efficacy graded as either 4 or 5 (highly confident) on a five-point scale by [34 (68%)] participants, whilst 42 (84%) participants “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that they intended to increase their walking after their stroke. Ten participants were recruited to validate the new accelerometer. Mean time since stroke was 29 days (SD =27.9 days). The 10 participants walked a mean distance of 245 meters (SD=129m) and their mean walking speed was 0.79ms-1 (SD=0.34ms-1). The Culture Lab were unable to develop the accelerometer in the necessary time frame and therefore no accelerometer was available for trialling the behaviour change intervention. Therefore, pedometers were used to record step count during the behaviour change intervention. A total of four participants took part in the 12 week behaviour change intervention, over two study periods. All participants managed to increase their step counts during this time. The studies had problems both with recruitment and retention of participants. These issues have been discussed. Conclusions This work has enhanced the understanding of the barriers and facilitators perceived by stroke survivors to increase physical activity. This work has allowed the development of a theoretically driven, complex behaviour change intervention that was successfully trialled with a small group of stroke survivors. Areas of further research have been discussed