Hybrid tele and in-clinic occupation based intervention to improve women’s daily participation after breast cancer: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Background: Women after breast cancer (BC) cope with decreased daily participation and quality of life (QOL) due to physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. This study examined a hybrid occupation-based intervention, Managing Participation with Breast Cancer (MaP-BC), to improve daily participation in their meaningful activities. Methods: Thirty-five women after BC phase were randomly allocated to the MaP-BC intervention (n = 18) or control (n = 17) group (standard care only). Assessments were administered at baseline (T1), 6-week (T2), and 12-week (T3) post-T1. Main outcome: perceived performance and performance-satisfaction with meaningful activities according to the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Secondary outcomes: retained activity levels (Activity Card Sort), QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast), cognitive abilities (Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function), and upper-extremity functioning (Disability of Arm, Shoulder, Hand). Results showed significant interaction (group x time) effects for the primary outcome in performance, F(2,66) = 29.54, p = 0.001, ï_P² = 0.472, and satisfaction, F(2,66) = 37.15, p = 0.000, ï_P² = 0.530. The intervention group improved more in performance, t = 5.51, p = 0.0001, d = 1.298, and satisfaction, t = −5.32, p = 0.0001, d = 1.254, than the control group between T1 and T2. Secondary outcomes demonstrated within-group improvements. Conclusion: MaP-BC, a comprehensive occupation-based hybrid intervention tailored to women’s functional daily needs after BC, improved participation in meaningful activities within a short period.