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Home-based Physical Activity to Alleviate Fatigue in Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Famke Huizinga1, Nico-Derk Lodewijk Westerink1, Annette J Berendsen1
1Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, THE NETHERLANDS.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|October 14, 2021
Summary
Home-based physical activity (PA) can significantly reduce fatigue in cancer survivors for up to nine months. Frequent counseling during these interventions may further enhance these positive effects on cancer patient recovery.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Physical activity (PA) positively impacts cancer survivors' fatigue and mental health.
- Participation in PA interventions is often low among cancer survivors.
- Home-based PA offers greater accessibility and self-monitoring potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the effects of low to moderate intensity home-based PA on fatigue, depression, and anxiety in cancer survivors.
- To evaluate the long-term efficacy of home-based PA interventions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science.
- Inclusion of studies on home-based PA in adult cancer survivors with outcomes of fatigue, depression, or anxiety.
- Random-effect meta-analysis for fatigue outcomes, with subgroup analyses for counseling frequency.
Main Results:
- Eleven RCTs with 1066 participants were included; 77% had a history of breast cancer.
- Home-based PA significantly reduced fatigue immediately post-intervention (SMD = 0.22), at 3 months (SMD = 0.27), and 6-9 months (SMD = 0.31).
- Interventions with frequent counseling demonstrated greater improvements in fatigue compared to those with infrequent or no counseling.
Conclusions:
- Home-based PA interventions are effective in reducing fatigue in adult cancer survivors for up to nine months.
- Frequent counseling within home-based PA programs may amplify the benefits for cancer survivors.
- Home-based PA represents a viable strategy to improve cancer survivorship outcomes.
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