Cited by 201Cancer survivorship and careChildhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of LifePhysical Activity and Health

The efficacy of exercise in reducing depressive symptoms among cancer survivors: a meta-analysis

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Brown, Justin C., Huedo-Medina, Tania B., Pescatello, Linda S., Ryan, Stacey M., Pescatello, Shannon M., Moker, Emily, LaCroix, Jessica M., Ferrer, Rebecca A. +1 more·2012·PLoS ONE

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the efficacy of exercise to reduce depressive symptoms among cancer survivors. In addition, we examined the extent to which exercise dose and clinical characteristics of cancer survivors influence the relationship between exercise and reductions in depressive symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search identifying randomized controlled trials of exercise interventions among adult cancer survivors, examining depressive symptoms as an outcome. We calculated effect sizes for each study and performed weighted multiple regression moderator analysis. RESULTS: We identified 40 exercise interventions including 2,929 cancer survivors. Diverse groups of cancer survivors were examined in seven exercise interventions; breast cancer survivors were examined in 26; prostate cancer, leukemia, and lymphoma were examined in two; and colorectal cancer in one. Cancer survivors who completed an exercise intervention reduced depression more than controls, d(+) = -0.13 (95% CI: -0.26, -0.01). Increases in weekly volume of aerobic exercise reduced depressive symptoms in dose-response fashion (β = -0.24, p = 0.03), a pattern evident only in higher quality trials. Exercise reduced depressive symptoms most when exercise sessions were supervised (β = -0.26, p = 0.01) and when cancer survivors were between 47-62 yr (β = 0.27, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Exercise training provides a small overall reduction in depressive symptoms among cancer survivors but one that increased in dose-response fashion with weekly volume of aerobic exercise in high quality trials. Depressive symptoms were reduced to the greatest degree among breast cancer survivors, among cancer survivors aged between 47-62 yr, or when exercise sessions were supervised.

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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).”

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. [28]Hedges LV Olkin I 1985 Statistical methods for meta-analysis Orlando, FL Academic Press Inc 369
  2. [57]Patel SR 2004 The effects of yoga on mood disturbance and pain in an underserved breast cancer population. PhD Dissertation
  3. [66]Vito NL 2007 The effects of a yoga intervention on physical and psychological functioning for breast cancer survivors. PhD Dissertation
  4. [88]Papakostas GI 2008 Tolerability of modern antidepressants. J Clin Psychiatry 69 Suppl E1 8 13 18494538

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Authors
Brown, J. C., Huedo-Medina, T. B., Pescatello, L. S., Ryan, S. M., Pescatello, S. M., Moker, E., LaCroix, J. M., Ferrer, R. A., & Johnson, B. T.
Affiliations
  • University of Pennsylvania (US)
  • University of Connecticut (US)
  • The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (US)
  • Western New England University (US)
  • National Institutes of Health (US)
Corresponding author
Brown, Justin C.
Venue
PLoS ONE
Published
2012-01-27
Volume
7
Issue
1
Pages
e30955
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2062270028
Cited by
201
References
94
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 2
FWCI
1.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • OpenCommons at University of Connecticut (University of Connecticut) (submittedVersion)
  • OpenCommons - UConn (University of Connecticut) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
University of Connecticut
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
exercise intervention, depressive symptoms, cancer survivors, breast cancer survivors, supervised exercise, exercise training
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Depression, Exercise Therapy, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasms, Treatment Outcome, Survivors

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