Protocol for a systematic review of self-management interventions for older adults living with cancer

Kristen R Haase; Martine Puts; Schroder Sattar; Mikaela Gray; Cindy Kenis; Valentina Donison; Steven Hall; Bianca McLean; Aria Wills; Doris Howell

doi:10.1186/s13643-020-01346-1

Protocol for a systematic review of self-management interventions for older adults living with cancer

Syst Rev. 2020 Apr 17;9(1):80. doi: 10.1186/s13643-020-01346-1.

Authors

Kristen R Haase¹, Martine Puts², Schroder Sattar³, Mikaela Gray⁴, Cindy Kenis⁵, Valentina Donison⁶, Steven Hall⁷, Bianca McLean⁸, Aria Wills⁸, Doris Howell⁹

Affiliations

¹ College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, 4th Floor, Health Sciences E-Wing, 104 Clinic Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 2Z4, Canada. Kristen.haase@usask.ca.
² Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
³ College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Regina, Canada.
⁴ Gerstein Science Information Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
⁵ Department of General Medical Oncology and Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
⁶ Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
⁷ College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, 4th Floor, Health Sciences E-Wing, 104 Clinic Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 2Z4, Canada.
⁸ De Groote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
⁹ Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Abstract

Background: Cancer predominates in adults over age 65. Cancer treatments are known to create physical and psychosocial challenges, which may be amplified for older adults with cancer. Learning and applying self-management behaviours and skills during treatment with cancer can help to manage/recover health and improve quality of life. In many other chronic illnesses, self-management interventions are known to improve health outcomes and lower healthcare costs. The purpose of this systematic review is to determine the effectiveness of self-management interventions for older adults with cancer on physical, psychosocial, and health system-related outcomes.

Methods: We are conducting a systematic review of self-management interventions for older adults (65+) diagnosed with cancer (solid tumour or haematological) in the active treatment phase of cancer. This systematic review is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. Studies are limited to experimental or quasi-experimental methods published in English, French, German, or Dutch. A search strategy was designed with a Health Sciences librarian and performed using the following electronic databases: Ageline, AMED, ASSIA, Cinahl, Cochrane, Embase, Medline, PsychINFO, and Sociological Abstracts. Approximately 14,000 titles and abstracts are being electronically screened by a minimum of 2 reviewers, with relevant studies to be screened for full text. The final sample of included studies will be assessed for quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and Down and Black for quasi-experimental studies, with data synthesized in a narrative and tabular format.

Discussion: This systematic review will expand the knowledge base of interventions supporting self-management for older adults with cancer. This study will inform future intervention development by identifying gaps and strengths in effective self-management interventions targeting the needs of older adults receiving active treatment for cancer.

Systematic review registration: PROPERO registry ID# CRD42019134113.

Keywords: Cancer; Older adults; Self-management; Systematic review.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Chronic Disease
Humans
Neoplasms*
Quality of Life
Research Design
Self-Management*
Systematic Reviews as Topic