Cited by 277Cancer survivorship and careChildhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of LifePhysical Activity and Health

Exercise effects on depressive symptoms in cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Craft, Lynette L., VanIterson, Erik H., Helenowski, Irene B., Rademaker, Alfred W., Courneya, Kerry S.·2012·Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention

Abstract

Background: Depression is a distressing side effect of cancer and its treatment. In the general population, exercise is an effective antidepressant. Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the antidepressant effect of exercise in cancer survivors. Data Sources: In May 2011, we searched MEDLINE, PsycInfo, EMBASE, CINAHL, CDSR, CENTRAL, AMED, Biosis Previews, and Sport Discus and citations from relevant articles and reviews. Study Eligibility Criteria: We included randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing exercise interventions with usual care in cancer survivors, using a self-report inventory or clinician rating to assess depressive symptoms, and reporting symptoms pre- and postintervention. Study Appraisal: Around 7,042 study titles were identified and screened, with 15 RCTs included. Synthesis Methods: Effect sizes (ES) were reported as mean change scores. The Q test was conducted to evaluate heterogeneity of ES. Potential moderator variables were evaluated with examination of scatter plots and Wilcoxon rank-sum or Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results: The overall ES, under a random-effects model, was −0.22 (confidence interval, −0.43 to −0.09; P = 0.04). Significant moderating variables (ps < 0.05) were exercise location, exercise supervision, and exercise duration. Limitations: Only one study identified depression as the primary endpoint. Conclusions: Exercise has modest positive effects on depressive symptoms with larger effects for programs that were supervised or partially supervised, not conducted at home, and at least 30 minutes in duration. Impact: Our results complement other studies showing that exercise is associated with reduced pain and fatigue and with improvements in quality of life among cancer survivors. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(1); 3–19. ©2011 AACR.

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

    “A dose of moderate intensity aerobic training three times per week for 12 weeks or twice weekly combined aerobic plus resistance training for 6–12 weeks can significantly reduce anxiety in cancer survivors during and after treatment(13–17).”
  • Combined moderate intensity aerobic and resistance exercise 2-3 times per week for at least 12 weeks improves HRQoL in cancer survivors during and after treatment.

    “Combined moderate intensity aerobic and resistance exercise performed 2–3 times per week for at least 12 weeks results in improvements in HRQoL both during and after treatment(17, 31, 32).”
  • Aerobic exercise seems safe with no significant increase in lymphedema-related adverse events in studies investigating aerobic exercise.

    “In general, aerobic exercise seems to be safe, with no significant increase in number of lymphedema-related adverse events reported in studies investigating aerobic exercise(17).”
  • The majority of available evidence on safety and efficacy of exercise during and following cancer treatment is from RCTs of supervised and/or home-based prescribed exercise, and trials in breast cancer survivors.

    “the majority of available evidence on the safety and efficacy of exercise during and following cancer treatment is derived from RCTs of supervised and/or home-based prescribed exercise, and trials in breast cancer survivors(17, 31, 32).”

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [8]Ferketich AK Frid DJ Depression and coronary heart disease: A review of the literature Clin Geriatrics 2001 9 1 8
  2. [64]Deschields T Tibbs T Fan MY Taylor M Differences in patterns of depression after treatment for breast cancer Psychooncology 2006 15 398 406 16100708

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Authors
Craft, L. L., VanIterson, E. H., Helenowski, I. B., Rademaker, A. W., & Courneya, K. S.
Affiliations
  • Northwestern University (US)
  • Authors' Affiliations: 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois; and 2Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Corresponding author
Craft, Lynette L.
Venue
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
Published
2012-01-01
Volume
21
Issue
1
Pages
3-19
ISSN
  • 1055-9965 (ISSN-L)
  • 1538-7755
OpenAlex
W2001933461
Cited by
277
References
70
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 16
FWCI
2.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Cancer Institute (K07CA134936)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
Keywords
physical activity, depressive symptoms, cancer survivors, depression, antidepressant effects, supervised exercise, exercise duration, exercise intervention
MeSH terms
Depression, Humans, Neoplasms, Physical Fitness, Quality of Life, Exercise, Survivors

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