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Exercise for the management of cancer-related fatigue in adultsCramp F, Daniel J
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SummaryThe effect of exercise on fatigue associated with cancerFatigue is now recognised as a side-effect of cancer and its treatment. In the past people with cancer were encouraged to rest if they felt fatigued. It is important that individuals with cancer receive appropriate support and advice to help them cope with any adverse-effects. Physical exercise has been suggested as helpful in reducing the fatigue that is associated with cancer. A number of studies have been carried out to investigate the effects of exercise both during and after treatment. The current review was carried out to evaluate the effect of physical exercise on fatigue related to cancer. Twenty-eight studies were included in the review. Results suggest that physical exercise can help to reduce fatigue both during and after treatment for cancer. However, the evidence is not sufficient to demonstrate the best type or intensity of exercise for reducing the symptom of fatigue.
This is a Cochrane review abstract and plain language summary, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration, currently published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009 Issue 4, Copyright © 2009 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
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April 16. 2008 AbstractBackgroundCancer-related fatigue is now recognised as an important symptom associated with cancer and its treatment. A number of studies have investigated the effects of physical activity in reducing cancer-related fatigue with no definitive conclusions regarding its effectiveness. ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of exercise on cancer-related fatigue both during and after cancer treatment. Search strategyThe Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL/CCTR), MEDLINE (1966 to July 2007), EMBASE (1980 to July 2007), CINAHL (1982 to July 2007), British Nursing Index (January 1984 to July 2007), AMED (1985 to July 2007), SIGLE (1980 to July 2007), and Dissertation Abstracts International (1861 to July 2007) were all searched using key words. Reference lists off all studies identified for inclusion and relevant reviews were also searched. In addition, relevant journals were hand searched and experts in the field of cancer-related fatigue were contacted. Selection criteriaRandomised controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effect of exercise on cancer-related fatigue in adults were included. Data collection and analysisTwo review authors independently assessed the methodological quality of studies and extracted data based upon predefined criteria. Where data were available meta-analyses were performed for fatigue using a random-effects model. Main resultsTwenty-eight studies were identified for inclusion (n = 2083 participants), with the majority carried out on participants with breast cancer (n = 16 studies; n = 1172 participants). A meta-analysis of all fatigue data, incorporating 22 comparisons provided data for 920 participants who received an exercise intervention and 742 control participants. At the end of the intervention period exercise was statistically more effective than the control intervention (SMD -0.23, 95% Confidence Interval (CIs) -0.33 to -0.13).
Authors' conclusionsExercise can be regarded as beneficial for individuals with cancer-related fatigue during and post cancer therapy. Further research is required to determine the optimal type, intensity and timing of an exercise intervention. |
