Use of partner-based physical activity interventions for individuals living with or beyond a cancer diagnosis.

Objective(s): To explore the use, parameters, and effectiveness of Partner-Based peer support exercise interventions for cancer survivors.

Data Sources: Six electronic databases (AMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, EMCORE, OVID Medline, and PsycInfo) were searched for studies up to January 21, 2021. The search strategy included “cancer,” “physical activity,” “exercise,” “partner,” and “dyad” and their derivatives. The search strategy had no limitations and was modified for each database.

Study Selection: Eligible studies included: adolescent or adult participants ≥13 years of age with a cancer diagnosis and at any stage of treatment, an intervention that included exercise, physical activity, or sport and an intervention that was partner based where partners had unestablished relationships. Multiple reviewers applied the eligibility criteria during the screening process. Out of 4,082 studies identified, 12 reports met the inclusion criteria.

Data Extraction: Five reviewers independently extracted the data in duplicates. A piloted excel spreadsheet was used to extract content related to the study design and PICO components.

Data Synthesis: While the methodology quality and intervention characteristics varied among studies, all of the studies reporting outcomes demonstrated that partner-based interventions significantly enhanced physical activity levels post-treatment compared to control groups (p < 0.05). All but one study had one peer acting as an ‘expert’ on physical activity, assisting the other partner. None of the studies included in this review provided the results on association between social support and physical activity level.

Conclusions: This scoping review suggests partner-based peer support interventions may facilitate physical activity behaviour in cancer survivors. Future work is needed to examine the mechanism of effective partner-based interventions in improving physical activity in adolescent and adult cancer survivors.

Author(s) Disclosures: I have no potential or actual conflict of interest.