A group course for long-term illness may help people exercise and feel confident

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   8,688 adults with long-term illness took part in 23 studies, mostly in the US, Britain or Canada. Three in four were women.

2. 02

   What they did

   People joined a six-week course in small groups, led by trained leaders, to build confidence and skills for managing their illness. Some studies compared it with another group; others only checked people before and after the course.

3. 03

   What happened

   Compared with the start or another group, people exercised more, felt more confident and used more ways to manage symptoms. Many gains lasted nine to twelve months, but tiredness and hospital stays improved only at four to six months. Pain and breathlessness improved later, and daily ability did not change.

What the review found

1. HelpedGoals

   People in the small group course did more aerobic exercise four to six months later.

   • Rule: Practise with a groupused

   Pooled analysis of 9 studies · vs other groups, or the same people at the start · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study

2. HelpedGoals

   Nine to twelve months later, people in the group course were still doing more to manage their symptoms.

   • Rule: Practise with a groupused

   Pooled analysis of 4 studies · vs other groups, or the same people at the start · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study

3. HelpedMotivation

   People in the group course felt more confident about managing their health four to six months later.

   • Rule: Practise with a groupused

   Pooled analysis of 5 studies · vs other groups, or the same people at the start · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study

4. HelpedMotivation

   Nine to twelve months later, people in the group course still felt more confident, though less than before.

   • Rule: Practise with a groupused

   Pooled analysis of 3 studies · vs other groups, or the same people at the start · they rated themselves · ⚠ whole programmes were tested, so no single part can be credited; mixes trials with other kinds of study

Source