Effektivität von Interventionen in der Rehabilitation bei Prostatakarzinompatienten – Ein systematischer Literaturüberblick

PURPOSE: A systematic literature analysis of the effectiveness of specific rehabilitation-related interventions for prostate cancer patients has not been conducted so far. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Established literature databases (Medline, Psyndex, PsychINFO, EBMR) as well as reference lists, meta-analyses, and literature reviews were systematically searched for studies on the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions for prostate cancer patients. Furthermore, guidelines for the treatment of prostate cancer were browsed for rehabilitation related content. Studies on both out-patient and in-patient interventions were included, whereas diagnostic studies as well as medical and nursing procedures and drug trials were excluded from the analysis. Out of a total of 1 627 626 articles, 65 articles were eventually included in the analysis and evaluated according to the Oxford Levels of Evidence. RESULTS: Studies on the effectiveness of interventions for prostate cancer patients were identified in the following rehabilitation-related areas: psychosocial interventions, urinary incontinence treatment, massage, sport therapy, relaxation techniques, lymph drainage, artistic therapies and interdisciplinary rehabilitation programmes. However, with regard to health education courses, balneotherapy, occupational therapy and social work, no studies including prostate cancer patients could be identified. For the majority of rehabilitation-related interventions, the evidence regarding their effectiveness was not sufficient or contradictory. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of interventions carried out in the rehabilitation of prostate cancer patients was rarely examined so far. The systematic literature analysis shows, that up to now sufficient evidence was established for only few of these interventions. To substantiate the evidence, further studies on rehabilitation interventions focusing specifically on prostate cancer patients are required.