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Cited by 223Cancer survivorship and careCancer-related cognitive impairment studiesChildhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life

Effects of physical exercise during adjuvant breast cancer treatment on physical and psychosocial dimensions of cancer-related fatigue: a meta-analysis

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van Vulpen, Jonna K., Peeters, Petra H.M., Velthuis, Miranda J., van der Wall, Elsken, May, Anne M.·2016·Maturitas
DOI 10.1016/j.maturitas.2015.12.007
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Abstract

Cancer-related fatigue has a multidimensional nature and complaints typically increase during adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. Physical exercise might prevent or reduce cancer-related fatigue. So far, no meta-analysis has investigated the effects of physical exercise on different dimensions of fatigue. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of physical exercise during adjuvant breast cancer treatment on physical and psychosocial dimensions of fatigue. We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library in June 2015. Randomised controlled trials reporting the effects of physical exercise during adjuvant breast cancer treatment on different dimensions of fatigue were included. Pooled effects of 6 exercise programmes (including 784 patients) showed significant beneficial exercise effects on general fatigue (ES: -0.22, 95% CI -0.38; -0.05) and physical fatigue (ES: -0.35, 95% CI -0.49; -0.21). Effects on fatigue subscales 'reduced activity' (ES: -0.22, 95% CI -0.38; -0.05) and 'reduced motivation' (ES: -0.18, 95% CI -0.35; -0.01) were also in favour of physical exercise. No effects were found on cognitive and affective fatigue. Including only the supervised exercise programmes (n=4 studies), slightly larger pooled effect estimates were found on general fatigue (ES: -0.25, 95% CI -0.47; -0.04) and physical fatigue (-0.39, 95% CI -0.56; -0.23). In conclusion, physical exercise during adjuvant breast cancer treatment has beneficial effects on general fatigue, physical fatigue, 'reduced activity' and 'reduced motivation', but did not show effects on cognitive and affective fatigue. Largest effect sizes are found for physical fatigue, suggesting that this is the fatigue dimension most sensitive to physical exercise.

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  • Indications that empowerment has been received are survivors following instructions from health workers about actions they can undertake and actively asking questions or finding out about other things they can do.

    “Some things that can be used as an indication that empowerment has been received are survivors following instructions from health workers about actions that they can undertake and actively asking questions or finding out about other things they can do [73].”

    From Empowerment in the treatment of fatigue in breast cancer patients (2021) · cites this paper as [73]

  • For training programs lasting at least 12 weeks, moderate intensity aerobic training three times per week significantly reduces cancer-related fatigue during and after treatment.

    “For training programs that last at least 12 weeks, engaging in moderate intensity aerobic training three times per week can significantly reduce cancer-related fatigue both during and after treatment(20–23).”

    From Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable (2019) · cites this paper as [21]

  • Moderate intensity combined aerobic plus resistance training 2-3 times per week may reduce cancer-related fatigue.

    “Moderate intensity combined aerobic plus resistance training sessions performed 2–3 times per week or twice weekly moderate intensity resistance training may also be effective(21, 24–26), and the latter particularly in prostate cancer(27).”

    From Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable (2019) · cites this paper as [21]

  • The efficacy of exercise for cancer-related fatigue appears independent of the level of supervision and/or setting for training.

    “The efficacy of exercise for this outcome appears to be independent of the level of supervision and/or setting for training(21, 27, 30).”

    From Exercise Guidelines for Cancer Survivors: Consensus Statement from International Multidisciplinary Roundtable (2019) · cites this paper as [21]

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Authors
van Vulpen, J. K., Peeters, P. H. M., Velthuis, M. J., van der Wall, E., & May, A. M.
Affiliations
  • University Medical Center Utrecht (NL)
  • Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (NL)
Corresponding author
May, Anne M.
ORCID
Venue
Maturitas
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2016-03
Volume
85
Pages
104-111
ISSN
0378-5122 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.maturitas.2015.12.007
OpenAlex
W2221524813
Cited by
223
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 38 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 7 · 2014: 1
FWCI
1.61
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Maturitas (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Cancer-related cognitive impairment studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
Keywords
cancer-related fatigue, physical activity, breast cancer, adjuvant therapy, physical fatigue, psychosocial fatigue, reduced activity, reduced motivation, mental fatigue, supervised exercise programme
MeSH terms
Breast Neoplasms, Exercise Therapy, Fatigue, Mental Fatigue, Female, Humans, Motivation, Quality of Life, Exercise, Chemotherapy, Adjuvant

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