Korstjens and coworkers in the Netherlands conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare the effects on cancer survivors' quality of life in a 12-week group-based, multidisciplinary self-management rehabilitation program. The latter combined physical training (twice weekly) and cognitive-behavioral training (once weekly) with those of a 12-week group-based physical training (twice weekly). In addition, both interventions were compared with no intervention. Participants (all cancer types, medical treatment completed > or = three months ago) were randomly assigned to multidisciplinary rehabilitation (n = 76) or physical training (n = 71). The nonintervention comparison group consisted of 62 patients on a waiting list. Quality of life was measured using the RAND-36. The rehabilitation groups were measured at baseline, after rehabilitation, and at a three-month follow-up, and the nonintervention group was measured at baseline and 12 weeks later. The effects of multidisciplinary rehabilitation did not outperform those of physical training in role limitations due to emotional problem (primary outcome) or any other domains of quality of life. Compared with no intervention, participants in both rehabilitation groups showed significant and clinically relevant improvements in role limitations due to physical problem (primary outcome; effect size; and in physical functioning, vitality, and health change

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU: Adding cognitive-behavioral training to group-based self-management physical training did not provide additional beneficial effects on cancer survivors' quality of life. Compared with the nonintervention group, however, the group-based self-management rehabilitation improved cancer survivors' quality of life. The study was conducted by an excellent group of investigators; the outcome data they gathered should have value in conducting future self-management studies for cancer patients.

I Korstjens et al. Quality of life after self-management cancer rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial comparing physical and cognitive-behavioral training versus physical training. Psychosomatic Medicine, 2008;70:422-429.