Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 11, 2025
Author Spotlight: Integrating Tai Chi with Mindfulness Training to Achieve an Effective Mind-Body Exercise
Published on: July 14, 2023
Effects of exercise therapy in patients with pancreatic cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Mizuki Sekino1, Takuya Fukushima2, Katsuyoshi Suzuki3
1School of Nursing, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan.
Introduction:
The reported benefits of exercise therapy in patients with pancreatic cancer include maintaining and improving physical fitness and muscle strength, reducing treatment-related side effects, and enhancing quality of life. However, the evidence remains inconclusive, necessitating the integration of interventional studies to reach a consensus. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of exercise interventions for patients with pancreatic cancer through a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Methods:
A literature search was conducted to identify articles published prior to May 2024, using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, and PEDro databases. Search terms included pancreatic cancer, exercise-related terminology, physical function, and quality of life. The primary outcome was quality of life, and the secondary outcome was physical function. All meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effects model.
Results:
The final analysis included 6 studies, with sample sizes ranging from 40 to 172 patients. The intervention types were resistance training in 3 studies and a combination of aerobic exercise and resistance training in 3 studies. The timings of the interventions were after surgery or chemotherapy in 4 studies and during chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy in 2 studies. Three randomized controlled trials used European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 to assess quality of life. Physical function was evaluated using muscle strength measurements (isokinetic and isometric strength), the 5-chair stand test, and the 6-min walk test for exercise capacity. Exercise intervention was effective for improving physical quality of life (standardized mean difference = 0.41, 95 % confidence interval = 0.07-0.74, p = 0.02). In addition, improvements in both upper extremity muscle strength (standardized mean difference = 0.50, 95 % confidence interval = 0.21-0.80, p = 0.0008) and lower extremity muscle strength were observed (standardized mean difference = 0.35, 95 % confidence interval = 0.14-0.56, p = 0.0009). On the other hand, the 6-min walk test showed no significant difference in the effect of exercise therapy between the exercise and control groups.
Conclusion:
The findings of this study indicate that exercise therapy for pancreatic cancer patients effectively increases muscle strength in the upper and lower limbs while improving their physical quality of life. However, because all the included studies were assessed as having a high risk of bias, the findings of this review should be interpreted with caution.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
Assessment:
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...