Purpose: To identify, appraise and synthesis the effects of physical and physiological post-treatment interventions for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer.
Methods: A systematic review was undertaken using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. Included studies were identified though a range of electronic databases through to May 2016. Studies were critically appraised using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool
Results: Fifteen studies, comprising a total of 2016 participants were included in this review. Eight studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the remaining seven were before and after studies. The quality of studies was variable across all appraised domains with risk of bias evident in regards to recruitment, measures of exposure and outcomes, confounding factors and lost-to follow-up. Studies evaluated a range of physical, psychological and educational interventions to improve health related and process outcomes. Ten studies reported modest positive outcomes, with physical and psychosocial interventions achieving greater success than educational interventions.
Conclusions: This review highlights the lack of high-quality studies for improving the health and well-being of AYA cancer survivors. No conclusive evidence favouring specific interventions were identified, although recommendations for future studies are made.
Implications for Cancer Survivors: Interventions to support AYAs after treatment for cancer are required to promote health and well-being, and to address the array of psychosocial concerns in this population. Rigorous, properly powered RCTs are required to identify the optimal methods of delivering interventions to support AYAs after cancer treatment.