Table 2 Details of the interventions included in the review

Bantum 2014 [14]

Multiple health behaviour change program.

Skills building; information; encouragement; action planning; building self-efficacy; improving diet; increasing exercise; stress management via relaxation training;· processing and communicating emotional experiences; fatigue management

Had completed primary treatment within last 5 years

Online

6 × weeks

Cancer survivors mentored by the principal investigators.

Waitlist control

Bennett 2007 [15]

Motivational interviewing

Careful listening; summarising; feedback; barrier identification; affirmation; building self-efficacy

Had completed primary treatment at least 6 months prior to the study

In-person/Telephone

3 × 10-min MI sessions. 20-min per phone call

Physical activity counsellor and master’s-prepared research assistant

Usual care

Blaes 2016 [16]

Mindfulness based cancer recovery programme was used.

A range of Mindfulness meditation techniques practiced during group sessions , Expected to practice home meditation for 45 minutes a day, keep a log of home practice sessions along with doing mindfulness reading and reflective exercises

Had completed primary treatment at least 6 months prior to the study

Group

8 weekly 2.5 h classes and a full day silent retreat

University Faculty trained and certified in MBCR programme

Waitlist control

Bower 2015 [17]

Mindfulness

Information; mindfulness; relaxation; meditation; gentle movement exercises (e.g. mindful walking); psychoeducation; problem solving; working with difficult thoughts and emotions; managing pain; cultivation of loving kindness.

Had completed primary treatment at least 3 months prior to the study

Group

6 weekly × 2-h sessions. Daily home-practice 5–20 min

Waitlist control

Bruggeman-Everts 2017 [18]

Two different Web-based interventions aimed at reducing CCRF: (1) Ambulant Activity Feedback (AAF), and (2) Web-based Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (eMBCT)

AAF: involves taking notice of the Personal Digital Assistant messages, responding to these messages by changing physical activity, reading the weekly feedback from the physiotherapist, reporting experiences, and replying to the feedback by email.

eMBCT: reading the weekly information, doing mindfulness exercises while listening to the MP3 files, filling out logs with their experiences, reading the weekly feedback of the therapist, and replying to this feedback by email weekly

Had completed primary treatment at least 3 months prior to the study

Online

3/hours per week, 9 weeks

AAF : physiotherapist & eMBCT: psychologist

Compared two different guided Web-based interventions compared to an unguided active control condition receiving psycho-educational emails

Carlson 2016 [19]

Mindfulness -based cancer recovery programme ( MBCR) VS Supportive expressive group therapy

Both based on existing available programmes. Mindfulness conscious awareness cultivated through training in mindfulness meditation and gentle yoga practices. SET facliitated mutual support, enhancing emotional expresiveness and coping, detoxifying feelings around death

Had completed primary treatment at least 3 months prior to the study

Group

8 weekly sessions of 90 min each plus a 6 h workshop (total of 18 h)

Research Assistants

Compared two empirically supported group interventions: mindfulness-based cancer recovery (MBCR) and supportive-expressive group therapy (SET). These were also compared to a minimal-treatment control condition that was a 1-day didactic stress management seminar.

Dirksen 2008 [20]

CBT- insomnia

Stimulus control instructions;· sleep restriction therapy; sleep education and hygiene; cognitive strategies; sleep diaries; discussing progress.

Had completed primary treatment at least 3 months prior to the study

Group

2-weeks pre-treatment6-weeks × treatment : 4 × week classes (1–2 h) and 2 × week telephone (15 mins) 2-weeks post-treatment

Master’s level Registered Nurse therapist

Education

Dodds 2015 [21]

Cognitively-based compassion training

CBCT was delivered in eight weekly, 2-h classes through didactics, class discussion, and guided meditation practice. Participants were asked to meditate at least three times per week using audio recordings of guided meditations (average length 30 min), and to maintain a practice log.

Treated with adjuvant systemic chemotherapy within the past 10 years

Group and individual

8 weekly 2 h classes and home meditation 3 times a week

The interventionist was a clinically trainedPh.D. social work researcher and experienced 20-year meditator fulfilling requirements for CBCT teacher certification of the Emory University-Tibet Science Initiative (ETSI).

Waitlist control

Dolbeault 2009 [22]

Psycho-educational group based on CBT

Self-monitoring; problem-solving; cognitive restructuring; communicate; relaxation.

Had completed primary treatment at least two weeks prior to the study

(within the last year)

Group

8 weekly × 2-h sessions,

Led by 2 therapists, either psychologists or psychiatrists trained in group therapy and BCT

Waitlist control

Espie 2008 [23]

CBT- insomnia

Stimulus control; sleep restriction; cognitive therapy strategies.

Had completed primary treatment at least four weeks (1 month) prior to the study

Group

5 weekly, 50-min sessions

Cancer nurses, mentored by clinical psychologist

Usual care

Ferguson 2016 [24]

CBT-MAAT: cognitive behavioral therapy, Memory and Attention Adaptation Training

The 4 MAAT components include: 1) education, 2) self-awareness training to identify, 3) stress management and self-regulation, 4) cognitive compensatory strategies training

Had completed primary treatment at least 6 months prior to the study

Videoconference device

8 visits of 30 to 45 min

clinical psychologist

Compared cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT), with an attention control condition.

Fillion 2008 [25]

Psycho-education and physical activity

Relaxation skills; coping strategies; links between thoughts, emotions, and fatigue; self-regulation techniques (e.g. self-recording and goal setting); decrease passive coping strategies (e.g. behavioural and social disengagement and naps); increase awareness of the benefits of exercise; adherence techniques; reinforcement self-efficacy, motivation, and positive outcomes.

Completed their initial cancer treatment no longer than 2 years before enrolment

Group

4 weekly group meetings of 2.5-h and 1 × short telephone booster session (5–15 min)

Kinesiologist, trained research nurses,

Usual care

Foster 2016 [26]

Self-efficacy to manage CrF

Defines CRF (possible causes and effects); goal setting and planning; diet, sleep, exercise, home life and work; thoughts and feelings; strategies for talking to others; patient stories; self-monitoring; feedback; automated weekly emails; reminders.

Any time point following primary cancer treatment

(within last 5 years)

Online

6 weeks

online

Waitlist control

Freeman 2015 [27]

Imagery-based intervention

Education on the mind–body connection; impact of mental imagery and the sensate experience on physiological processes; apply learning and receive peer-feedback; identify maladaptive ‘passive imagery’ (e.g. automatic thoughts focused on fear/loss of control); create adaptive ‘active imagery’ (e.g. thoughts focused on empowering, meaning–making themes); practice ‘targeted imagery’; monitor the effects of imagery on mind–body health.

At least 6 weeks after completing cancer treatment

Group/ tele-medicine

5 weekly 4-h group sessions (live delivery or telemedicine delivery). First 4 sessions separated into 3 modules (25-min didactic education; 25-min of group interaction; 20–30 min guided imagery). Brief (< 10 min) weekly phone calls during intervention delivery and for 3 × months post-treatment.

Licensed professional counsellor, and a family medicine physician

Compared live and telemedicine deliveries of an imagery-based behavioural intervention. Also had a waitlist control condition.

Gielissen 2006 [28]

CBT

Focused on six perpetuating factors (six modules) of post-cancer fatigue, which were based on existing literature and experience in clinical practice:Coping with the experience of cancer; fear of disease recurrence; dysfunctional cognitions concerning fatigue; dysregulation of sleep and activity; focus on low social support and negative social interactions.

Had completed primary treatment at least 1 year prior to the study

Individual

Number of sessions was determined by the number of modules used and whether the goal of the therapy was reached.

5–26 × 1-h therapy sessions over 6-month period (M = 12.5 sessions; SD = 4.7 sessions).

3x therapists with previous CBT experience with patients with chronic fatigue

Waitlist control

Heckler 2016 [29]

CBT- insomnia

Sleep hygiene guidelines

Study medication instructed to take the study medication (armodafinil or placebo) in a split dose (7–9 am and 12–2 pm) for a total of 47 days

Had completed primary treatment at least four weeks (1 month) prior to the study

Individual

7 weeks;

CBT-I sessions 1, 2, and 4 were in person (30–60 min in duration), and sessions 3, 5, 6, and 7 (15–30 min in duration) were by phone

Compared CBT-I to a wakefulness-promoting agent, armodafinil

Hoffman 2012 [30]

Mindfulness for CRF

Body scan; sitting/ walking/ compassion meditation; gentle hatha yoga; psycho-education related to CrF; class discussion; bedtime body scan; information (relationship of stress and fatigue, influence of the perception of exhaustion on subsequent diminished physical activity and that physical activity is helpful with CrF); mindful communication practice.

Had completed primary treatment at least 2 months prior to the study (completed their initial cancer treatment no longer than 2 years before enrolment)

Group

7 weeks × 2-h classes; Guided home practices (20 min)

MBSR teaching experience

Waitlist control

Johns 2015 [49]

MBSR-CRF

Body scan, sitting meditation, gentle hatha yoga, walking meditation, and compassion meditation; protocol was adapted for the cancer context, a practice that has precedent in previous studies ; MBSR-CRF adaptations included 2-h classes, seven classes instead of eight, no retreat, brief psycho-education related to CRF, and shorter guided home practices (20 min) to accommodate fatigued participants; however, all of the core content of the standard MBSR curriculum was included. Recordings of guided meditations of body scan, sitting meditation, gentle hatha yoga with chair adaptations, and compassion meditation were created by the facilitator for home practice.

Had completed primary treatment at least 3 months prior to the study

group

7 x 2-h classes; guided home practices (20 min)

instructor had 6 years of MBSR teaching experience, completing all components of professional training leading to eligibility for MBSR Teacher Certification Review (phase 4, Oasis Institute at the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society

Waitlist control

Lengacher 2012 [31]

Mindfulness

Awareness of thoughts and feelings through meditation practice (sitting and walking meditation, body scan, and gentle hatha yoga); informal mindfulness meditation; educational material related to relaxation, meditation, and the mind–body connection; pay attention and observe responses during stressful situations; group support sessions on emotional/ psychological responses and physical symptoms; discussion of barriers to the practice of meditation and application of mindfulness in daily situations; supportive interaction between group members.

Had completed primary treatment within 18 months prior to study

Group

6 weekly, 2-h sessions; Formal exercises (15–45 min per day, 6 × days per week; increased per week); Informal home practice; 1× day × 8-h silent retreat.

Licensed clinical psychologist trained in MBSR

Usual care

Matthews 2014 [32]

CBT- insomnia

Treatment rationale; conceptual model of insomnia; sleep restriction; stimulus control; sleep schedule; sleep hygiene; cognitive therapy: altering dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and the impact of sleep loss on daytime functioning; sleep titration and treatment gains; relapse prevention and skills to cope with setbacks.

Had completed primary treatment at least four weeks (1 month) prior to the study

Group/ individual 3 × sessions in person

2× sessions via telephone.

5 weekly sessions: Session 1: 60 mins; Session 2, 3 and 6: 30–45 min; Session 4 and 5 (Telephone): 15–20 min.

An advanced practice nurse with specialized training in CBTI

Active behavioural placebo treatment (BPT).

Prinsen 2013 [33]

CBT for post-cancer fatigue.

Information on coping with the experience of cancer; fear of disease recurrence; dysfunctional cognitions concerning fatigue; dysregulation of sleep; dysregulation of activity; discussion of low social support and negative social interactions; tailored physical activity program of walking or cycling; gradually replace physical activities by other activities.

Had completed primary treatment at least 1 year prior to the study

Group

12–14 (50 min) individual sessions in 6 months. Two daily sessions of tailored physical activity program

Psychologists

Waitlist control

Reeves 2017 [34]

Combined approach of increasing physical activity, reducing energy intake and behavioral therapy,

Received a detailed workbook, self-monitoring diary, digital scales, pedometer, calorie-counter book and up to 16 telephone calls over the intervention

Any time point following primary cancer treatment

Telephone-delivered

6 months: Telephone calls (weekly for 6 weeks followed by 10 fortnightly calls)

Lifestyle coaches, who were accredited practicing dietitians trained in exercise promotion and motivational interviewing

Usual care

Reich 2017 [35]

MBSR (BC)

1) Educational material related to relaxation, meditation, the mind-body connection, and a healthy lifestyle for survivors, 2) practice of meditation in group meetings and homework assignments, and 3) group processes related to barriers to the practice of meditation and supportive group interaction. training in formal meditation techniques (sitting meditation, body scan, gentle Hatha yoga, and walking meditation), along with informal techniques of integrating mindfulness into daily life activities. BCS were requested to formally and informally practice the meditative techniques for 15–45 minutes per day and to record their practice times in a daily diary. A manual and compact discs were provided to guide home practice.

Had completed primary treatment within previous 2 weeks

(completed their initial cancer treatment no longer than 2 years before enrolment)

group

Six-week, 2-h per week sessions; practice the meditative techniques for 15–45 min per day

Psychologist trained in MBSR; Intervention sessions conducted by a single instructor were monitored weekly by a research assistant, who recorded time and delivery of the components of the two-hour class sessions on a fidelity checklist.

Waitlist control

Reif 2013 [47]

Patient education program

Problem solving; goal setting and evaluation; other cognitive techniques; behaviour therapy-oriented strategies and techniques; diary-keeping; perform exercises and implement lifestyle changes.

Any time point following primary cancer treatment

Group

6 weekly 90-min sessions. 2 × additional meetings after 3 and 6 months.

Nurses/ psychologist

Waitlist control

Ritterband 2012 [36]

CBT- insomnia

Introduction and rationale; sleep restriction; stimulus control; sleep hygiene; identify and restructure unhelpful beliefs about sleep; relapse prevention; high degree of individual tailoring and feedback; interactive elements; automated emails; encourage adherence.

Had completed primary treatment at least four weeks (1 month) prior to the study

Online

Access to Shuti for 9 weeks (6 week programme). Each core: 45 and 60 min.

NA

Waitlist control

Rogers 2017 [37]

Physical activity behaviour change intervention

Self-efficacy; outcome expectations; behavioural capability; observational learning; self-control; social support; personal behavioural modification plan; overcoming exercise barriers; emotional coping (including stress management); exercise benefits; task self-efficacy by gradual advancement of the exercise prescription; self-monitoring with daily activity log; overcoming exercise barriers experienced by the participant; self-monitoring; use of the behavioural modification plan; providing positive reinforcement; setting up for maintenance

Had completed primary treatment at least 2 months prior to the study

Group/individual

12-week programme: 6 group sessions during the first 8 weeks; 12 individual exercise sessions during the first 6 weeks; 3 individual counselling sessions during the final 6 weeks.

trained facilitators Psychologist/ exercise specialist

Provided publically available, printed materials

Sandler 2017 [38]

CBT and GET (Graded exercise) or education

Activity pacing, graded exercise, psychoeducation, sleep wake management, cognitive retraining, 3 optional CBT modules = coping , depression and anxiety management

Had completed primary treatment at least 3 months prior to the study

individual

12 weeks 5 45 min sessions with exercise therapist and 6 to 8 × 55 min sessions with psychologist conduced fortnightly

Clinical Psychologist and Exercise Physiologist

Education

Savard 2005 [39]

CBT- insomnia

Stimulus control therapy; sleep restriction; cognitive restructuring; sleep hygiene; fatigue and stress management

Had completed primary treatment at least four weeks (1 month) prior to the study

Group

8 weekly sessions of approximately 90 min

Master-level psychologist.

Waitlist control

Van Der Lee 2012 [40]

MBCT

Skills that enhance the ability to raise awareness to present experiences; information and instructions about various themes; home practice (CDs with breathing instruction and awareness exercises).

Had completed primary treatment at least 1 year prior to the study

Group

9-week group therapy, weekly sessions (2.5 h); 1 × 6 h session; 1 × 2.5 h follow-up session 2 × months after the 9th session. Total duration = 28.5 h.

Both therapists had followed MBSR training with Kabat Zinn.

Waitlist control

Van Weert 2010 [41]

CBT and physical activity

Self-management, goal setting, monitoring; norms and decision making, action, self-reflection; self-efficacy: mastery of experiences and perceived success, modelling, social persuasion, physiological feedback; discussion of irrational illness perceptions; finding effective and adaptive solutions to stressful problems; dysfunctional cognition, emotions, and behaviours; discussing distress, exercise physiology, and relaxation; homework assignment, and relaxation exercises; individual fitness goal- aerobic training muscle strength training, and information; information on the benefits of exercise; illustrative ‘model of fatigue,’; restore the balance between demand and capacity during tasks and activities.

Had completed primary treatment at least 3 months prior to the study

Group

1 h twice a week for 12 weeks (24 h individual physical training and 24 × hours of group sports and games). 24 h CBT (once a week, 2 × hours per session).

2 × physical therapists experienced in the delivery of physical training interventions to patients with cancer. CBT was supervised by 2 × psychologists.

Compared physical training combined with cognitive behavioural therapy with physical training alone and with no intervention.

Willems 2017 [51]

Psychosocial and lifestyle support

Self-management training; return-to-work; fatigue; anxiety and depression; social relationship and intimacy issues; physical activity, diet, smoking cessation; general information on the most common residual symptoms

Had completed primary treatment at least 4 weeks (1 month) prior to the study (within the last year)

Online

6 months

Stand-alone online

Waitlist control

Yun 2017 [42]

Health coaching

Physical activity, dietary habits, and distress management: individual tele-coaching: a TTM-based health education booklet and workbook for cancer survivors, 2) a workshop for empowerment of patients’ leadership skills, and 3) TTM-based telephone coaching with a health coaching manual (repeated assessment of stage of change, and planning how to achieve target health levels in accordance with their preferences and abilities)

Completed their initial cancer treatment no longer than 2 years before enrolment

Group/individual tele-coaching

1-h health education workshop

3-h leadership workshop

individual coaching by telephone for a 24-week period (intervention only)- 16 sessions of tele-coaching were conducted: 30 min per week for 12 sessions, 30 min per 2 weeks for 2 sessions, and 30 min per month for 2 sessions were offered for the intervention group.

Health partners: long-term cancer survivors who formed partnerships with cancer patients and helped them achieve the target levels set for their health behaviors.

Health master coaches: health professionals who mentored and supervised health partners.

Usual care

Yun 2012 [43]

CBT

Based on 2008 National Comprehensive Cancer Network & on the transtheoretical model (TTM) of health behaviour change and social cognitive theory as developed by Bandura or on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).Personally tailored sections based on the TTM model; physical activity; sleep hygiene; pain control; general introduction; energy conservation; nutrition; distress management; self-assessment and graphic reports; health advice; online education, caregiver monitoring and support; health professional monitoring.

Completed their initial cancer treatment no longer than 2 years before enrolment

Online

12 weeks

Independent research coordinator (nurse)

Usual care