Cited by 220Cancer survivorship and careCancer-related cognitive impairment studiesChildhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life

Effect of Exercise on Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Meta-analysis

Tomlinson, Deborah, Diorio, Caroline, Beyene, Joseph, Sung, Lillian·2014·American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Abstract

Numerous randomized controlled trials have been conducted to determine efficacy of exercise on cancer-related fatigue. However, many trials lacked sufficient power to demonstrate significant differences, and little is known about how the effect of exercise differs depending on patient- and intervention-level characteristics. A meta-analysis was performed to determine whether exercise reduces fatigue compared with usual care or nonexercise control intervention in patients with cancer. The authors searched Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CINAHL. Two authors independently extracted the data. Randomized controlled trials comparing exercise with control intervention in cancer patients in which fatigue was quantified were eligible. Seventy-two randomized controlled trials were identified, 71 in adults and 1 in children. Exercise had a moderate effect on reducing fatigue compared with control intervention. Exercise also improved depression and sleep disturbance. Type of exercise did not significantly influence the effect on fatigue, depression, or sleep disturbance. Exercise effect was larger in the studies published 2009 or later. There was only one pediatric study. The results of this study suggest that exercise is effective for the management of cancer-related fatigue.

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Crossref · 10.1097/phm.0000000000000083

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97 of 97 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Moderate intensity aerobic training three times per week for at least 12 weeks or twice weekly combined aerobic plus resistance training for 6-12 weeks significantly reduces depressive symptoms in cancer survivors during and after treatment.

    “Moderate intensity aerobic training performed three times per week and for at least 12 weeks or twice weekly combined aerobic plus resistance training lasting 6–12 weeks can significantly reduce depressive symptoms in cancer survivors during and after treatment(18, 19).”

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Authors
Tomlinson, D., Diorio, C., Beyene, J., & Sung, L.
Affiliations
Hospital for Sick Children (CA)
Corresponding author
Sung, Lillian
Venue
American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Published
2014-08
Volume
93
Issue
8
Pages
675-686
ISSN
0894-9115 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2334279947
Cited by
220
References
97
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 2
FWCI
2.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
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
physical activity, cancer-related fatigue, fatigue management, depression, sleep disorders, exercise type, cancer patients, childhood cancer, usual care comparison
MeSH terms
Depression, Fatigue, Female, Humans, Male, Motor Activity, Neoplasms, Sleep Wake Disorders, Yoga, Exercise, Comorbidity, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Walking

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