Introduction: Cancer presents the largest clinical, social, and economical burden affecting humanity. As incidence continues to rise, more individuals are facing the ongoing psychological health effects of the disease. Exercise appears a positive intervention for improving psychological health. However, no comprehensive systematic reviews or meta-analysis have investigated the effects on psychological health in those living with cancer. 
 
 

Aims: Evaluate the effects of exercise on psychological health in those living with cancer and assess moderating variables of exercise to identify those with greatest effects.
 
 

Methods: Systematic review with meta-analysis. The initial search was conducted using six electronic databases in March 2022. Seventy-eight studies were identified to meet the inclusion criteria. Randomised control trials of physical exercise in adults living with cancer that included psychological health outcome measures. Additionally, sufficient details of the exercise prescription were required, this included exercise frequency, intensity, duration, and type. Meta-analysis completed with Meta-Essentials Workbook for meta-analysis, using a random-effects model. Subgroup analysis included moderators of exercise described by FITT principles: Frequency; Intensity; Time; and Type.
 
 

Results: Analysis of 183 individual effect sizes from 68 trials demonstrated that exercise has small to moderate effects (d = 0.30, 95%CI 0.20; 0.40) on psychological health. The subgroup analysis showed the greatest effects on psychological health were achieved with frequent aerobic exercise at light to moderate intensities. 
 
 

Conclusion: Exercise demonstrates small to moderate effects on psychological health among individuals with cancer. 
 
 

Significance: This research provides high-quality evidence to support exercise for addressing psychological health in individuals with cancer. Additionally, insight is provided into the respective effect of various exercise moderators.

 

Jay Calder

 

1. Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2611

2. Prehabilitation, Activity, Cancer, Exercise and Survivorship (PACES) Research Group, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, 2611