The Effects of Body-Oriented Interventions on Cancer-Related Symptoms of Women Who Survived Breast Cancer: Protocol...

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate exceeding 90%. Despite advances in treatment, survivors frequently experience persistent cancer- and treatment-related symptoms that negatively impact their quality of life. Body-oriented interventions (BOIs) have demonstrated effectiveness in symptom management; however, systematic reviews focused exclusively on BOIs for women who survived breast cancer (WSBC) remain limited. This systematic review protocol outlines the methodology for evaluating the scientific evidence on the effects of BOIs on cancer- and treatment-related symptoms in WSBC.

The aim of this study is to examine the scientific evidence on the effects of BOIs on cancer- and treatment-related symptoms, well-being, and quality of life in WSBC.

This protocol follows PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols) guidelines. We will conduct searches in 6 electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, APA PsycNet, and Portal Regional da BVS. Studies will be considered for inclusion if they are written in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish, with no restrictions on publication date; they consist of WSBC (aged 18 to 64 years); they are randomized controlled trials, quasi-randomized controlled trials, and pilot studies focusing on BOIs; they include a control group receiving no intervention, standard care, or a non-BOI; and the primary outcomes of interest include preintervention and postintervention measures of cancer- and treatment-related symptoms, well-being, and quality of life. The methodological quality of the studies and the risk of bias will be assessed using the PEDro scale and version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, respectively. The synthesis of results will be measured through the Best Evidence Synthesis. Two experienced independent reviewers will conduct study selection, data extraction, methodological quality assessment, and scientific evidence assessment. Disagreements will be resolved by a third reviewer.

This protocol describes the prespecified methodology for the systematic review. At the time of publication of this protocol, the corresponding full systematic review manuscript was under peer review. The outcomes will synthesize the scientific evidence on the effects of BOIs on cancer- and treatment-related symptoms in WSBC. It is anticipated that this systematic review will identify benefits and directions for future research to support the integration of BOIs tailored to this population.

Considering that previous systematic reviews focused on the effects of BOIs in survivors of all cancer types, challenges related to study risk of bias such as heterogeneity in intervention types, study designs, and outcome measures are anticipated, potentially leading to some inconsistency and imprecision. To mitigate these issues, PRISMA guidelines will be followed, and methodological quality and best evidence strength will be rigorously assessed. This review will systematically synthesize the effects of BOIs on cancer- and treatment-related symptoms in WSBC. These findings will provide health professionals with reliable evidence and methodological guidance for further research.

PROSPERO CRD42023452519; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=452519.

DERR1-10.2196/76858.