Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2015 Feb 21:15:77.
doi: 10.1186/s12885-015-1069-4.

Effects of supervised exercise on cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Affiliations
Review

Effects of supervised exercise on cancer-related fatigue in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

José Francisco Meneses-Echávez et al. BMC Cancer. .

Abstract

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most common and distressing symptom in breast cancer survivors. Approximately 40% to 80% of cancer patients undergoing active treatment suffer from CRF. Exercise improves overall quality of life and CRF; however, the specific effects of the training modalities are not well understood.

Methods: This study aimed to determine the pooled effects of supervised exercise interventions on CRF in breast cancer survivors. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CENTRAL and CINAHL databases between December 2013 and January 2014 without language restrictions. Risk of bias and methodological quality were evaluated using the PEDro score. Pooled effects were calculated with a random-effects model according to the DerSimonian and Laird method. Heterogeneity was evaluated with the I (2) test.

Results: Nine high-quality studies (n = 1156) were finally included. Supervised aerobic exercise was statistically more effective than conventional care in improving CRF among breast cancer survivors (SMD = -0.51, 95%CI -0.81 to -0.21), with high statistical heterogeneity (P = 0.001; I (2) = 75%). Similar effects were found for resistance training on CRF (SMD = -0.41, 95%CI -0.76 to -0.05; P = 0.02; I(2) = 64%). Meta-regression analysis revealed that exercise volume parameters are closely related with the effect estimates on CRF. Egger's test suggested moderate evidence of publication bias (P = 0.04).

Conclusions: Supervised exercise reduces CRF and must be implemented in breast cancer rehabilitation settings. High-volume exercises are safe and effective in improving CRF and overall quality of life in women with breast cancer. Further research is encouraged.

Trial registration: CRD42014007223.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowdiagram for search strategy methods. Flowdiagram is performed according to PRISMA Statement.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Metaanalysis for the effect estimate of supervised exercise on CRF in Breast cancer survivors. Standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated for the Random effects model of metaanalysis. IV, inverse of variance; CI, confidence interval.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Metaanalysis for the effect estimate of supervised resistance training on CRF in Breast cancer survivors. Standardized mean difference was (SMD) calculated for the Random effects model of metaanalysis. IV, inverse of variance; CI, confidence interval.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Bubble plot for the dose–response relationship between the intervention length (weeks) and effect estimates changes for CRF from the nine randomized controlled trials included in the meta-regression analysis (P= 0.02).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Metaanalysis for the effect estimate of supervised resistance training on CRF in Breast cancer survivors according to the anti-cancer treatment stage. Standardized mean difference was (SMD) calculated for the Random effects model of metaanalysis. IV, inverse of variance; CI, confidence interval.

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. American Cancer Society. Cancer facts & figures 2012 [http://www.cancer.org/Research/CancerFactsFigures/index]
    1. American Cancer Society. Cancer facts & figures for Hispanics/Latinos 2009- 2011 [http://www.cancer.org/research/CancerFactsFigures/CancerFactsFiguresforH...]
    1. Jemal A, Bray F, Center MM, Ferlay J, Ward E, Forman D. Global cancer statistics. CA Cancer J Clin. 2011;61(2):69–90. doi: 10.3322/caac.20107. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Luciani S, Cabanes A, Prieto-Lara E, Gawryszewski V. Cervical and female breast cancers in the Americas: current situation and opportunities for action. Bull World Health Organ. 2013;91(9):640–9. doi: 10.2471/BLT.12.116699. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Piñeros M, Gamboa O, Hernández-Suárez G, Pardo C, Bray F. Patterns and trends in cancer mortality in Colombia 1984–2008. Cancer Epidemiol. 2013;37(3):233–9. doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2013.02.003. - DOI - PubMed