Table 2.
Instruments used to assess the outcome measures and the baseline values
| Outcome measure | No. of studies (references) | Mean (SD) total sample* | Mean (SD) during treatment | Mean (SD) post-treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fatigue (n = 4272) | ||||
| FACIT | 8 (35,37,39,43,46,55,59,62) | 37.1 (11.0) | 36.0 (11.5) | 39.1 (9.6) |
| MFI, general fatigue | 6 (29–31,34,53,60,61) | 12.1 (4.3) | 10.7 (4.1) | 13.5 (4.0) |
| EORTC QLQ-C30, fatigue | 5 (23,42,54,56,57) | 29.1 (22.3) | 24.9 (19.3) | 32.3 (23.8) |
| SF-36, vitality | 4 (36,38,41,47) | 55.3 (18.7) | 50.0 (9.5) | 55.7 (19.2) |
| Schwartz Cancer Fatigue Scale | 3 (49,50,58) | 10.4 (3.9) | 9.8 (4.0) | 10.6 (3.9) |
| FAQ, total | 2 (45,48) | 38.4 (21.8) | 38.4 (21.8) | N/A |
| Revised Piper Fatigue Scale | 2 (33,52) | 2.7 (1.9) | 2.4 (2.0) | 3.1 (1.8) |
| CIS, total | 1 (51) | 57.0 (26.1) | 57.0 (26.1) | N/A |
| Missing, n = 94 | ||||
| Aerobic fitness (n = 2322) | ||||
| PeakVO2, ml/kg/min | 11 | 23.5 (7.2) | 22.4 (7.1) | 24.2 (7.0) |
| Directly | 8 (29,30,34,35,37,42,59,60,62) | |||
| Indirectly via a submaximal exercise test | 2 (33,54) | |||
| Directly or indirectly, based on patient’s preference | 1 (52) | |||
| 400 meter walk test, s | 4 (23,55–57) | 272.6 (49.4) | 268.4 (50.4) | 282.3 (53.8) |
| 6 minute walk test, m | 2 (61,63) | 441.9 (109.2) | N/A | 441.9 (109.2) |
| 12 minute walk test, m | 1 (43) | 986.3 (222.8) | 986.3 (222.8) | N/A |
| Endurance test at 70% of Wmax, s | 1 (31) | 743.7 (530.0) | 743.7 (530.0) | N/A |
| Modified Balke test, s | 1 (62) | 367.3 (291.1) | 364.0 (300.1) | 383.2 (269.5) |
| Steptest, heartrate in beats per minute | 1 (39) | 120.4 (16.0) | 120.4 (16.0) | N/A |
| Missing, n = 2 | ||||
| Upper body muscle strength (n = 2255) | ||||
| Chest press, 1 repetition maximum, kg | 10 (23,35,44,47,55–58) | 34.0 (16.4) | 44.2 (16.1) | 24.5 (9.5) |
| Handgrip strength, kg | 4 (29,30,34,37,60) | 35.8 (10.3) | 32.9 (7.4) | 37.3 (11.2) |
| Elbow flexion with handheld dynamometer, Nm | 1 (31) | 29.9 (12.4) | 29.9 (12.4) | N/A |
| Chest press, number of repetitions at 30-35% body mass | 1 (40) | 0.1 (0.5) | N/A | 0.1 (0.5) |
| Sum upper body muscle strength (4 groups), N | 1 (61) | 154.1 (50.6) | N/A | N/A |
| Sum of left and right grip strength, kg | 1 (62) | 70.5 (22.5) | 71.9 (21.8) | 68.9 (23.6) |
| Upright row and shoulder press, stage | 1 (39) | 6.8 (3.1) | 6.8 (3.1) | N/A |
| Missing, n = 79 | ||||
| Lower body muscle strength (n = 2056) | ||||
| Leg press, 1 repetition maximum, kg | 9 (23,44,47,49,50,55–58) | 101.9 (43.6) | 124 (51.6) | 89.8 (32.7) |
| Quadriceps torque, Nm | 5 (29,30,33,45,48,60) | 104.6 (35.7) | 103.3 (28.5) | 107.5 (47.8) |
| Leg extension, 1 repetition maximum, kg | 1 (35) | 54.9 (26.6) | 54.9 (26.6) | N/A |
| Knee extension with handheld dynamometer, Nm | 1 (31) | 67.6 (19.1) | 67.6 (19.1) | N/A |
| Leg press, number of repetitions at 100–110% body mass | 1 (40) | 13.5 (7.2) | N/A | 13.5 (7.2) |
| Sum of lower body muscle strength (4 groups), N | 1 (61) | 186.1 (58.7) | N/A | N/A |
| Missing, n = 107 | ||||
| Quality of life (n = 4419) | ||||
| EORTC-QLQ-C30, global QoL | 17 (23,29,30,34,40,45,48–51,53–58,60,63) | 69.6 (19.0) | 71.7 (18.7) | 67.8 (18.7) |
| FACT-G, total score | 10 (33,35–37,39,41,43,46,59,62) | 81.3 (14.3) | 79.2 (14.6) | 84.1 (13.5) |
| SF-36, general health | 6 (38,42,47,49,50,52) | 66.3 (19.6) | 52.6 (13.9) | 68.7 (19.8) |
| Cares-SF, global QoL | 1 (44) | 48.2 (9.1) | N/A | 48.2 (9.1) |
| Missing, n = 100 | ||||
| Physical function (n = 4433) | ||||
| EORTC-QLQ-C30, physical function | 17 (23,29,30,34,40,45,48–51,53–58,60,63) | 83.4 (16.1) | 86.7 (14.5) | 79.6 (16.5) |
| FACT-G, physical well-being | 10 (33,35–37,39,41,43,46,59,62) | 21.9 (5.4) | 20.6 (5.9) | 23.7 (3.9) |
| SF-36, physical function | 6 (38,42,47,49,50,52) | 81.6 (17.6) | 85.6 (14.4) | 80.9 (18.0) |
| Cares-SF, physical function | 1 (44) | 46.6 (7.0) | N/A | 46.6 (7.0) |
| Missing, n = 86 | ||||
*
The SD values of the total group can be used to interpret the effect sizes, which are expressed in SD scores. CARES-SF = Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System-Short Form; CIS = Checklist Individual Strength; EORTC QLQ-C30 = European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire–Core 30; FACT-G = Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General; FACIT = Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy – Fatigue; FAQ = Fatigue Assessment Questionnaire; MFI = Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory; N/A = not applicable; peakVO2 = peak oxygen uptake; SF-36 = Short Form-36 Health Survey.