Does resistance training ameliorate cancer-related fatigue in cancer survivors? A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Gray, Luke; Sindall, Paul; Pearson, Stephen J.

Abstract

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is unrelenting. As neither rest nor sleep ameliorates cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms, quality of life is diminished. This study examines resistance training (RT) effectiveness on CRF in cancer survivors. The secondary aims were to identify the dose-response relationship of RT frequency, intensity, and volume on CRF in different cancer survivor populations. Systematic searches via numerous databases for RCTs were performed in June 2022. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROM), were analysed, pre-to-post intervention, using a random-effects model. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale informed methodological quality assessment. Eight studies were included (cancer survivors: breast (BCS) = 5; endometrial (ECS) = 1; prostate (PCS) = 2). Overall, RT interventions ≥ 6 weeks elicited large significant reductions in CRF for FACIT-F (SMD = 0.932, = <0.001) and moderate significant reductions in CRF for PFS-R (SMD = -0.622,  = 0.004). Main findings indicate that RT ameliorates CRF, especially in BCS; however, individualised approaches should be advocated. Supervised training elicited the greatest positive outcomes, thus should be a pivotal part of the cancer rehabilitation pathway. Future studies should be adequately powered, undertake discrete analyses of different cancer types, and investigate chronic RT effects.

Citation

Gray, L., Sindall, P., & Pearson, S. J. (in press). Does resistance training ameliorate cancer-related fatigue in cancer survivors? A systematic review with meta-analysis. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2023.2226408

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 12, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jun 22, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jul 4, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 4, 2023
• Journal: Disability and rehabilitation
• Print ISSN: 0963-8288
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-5165
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 1-10
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2023.2226408
• Keywords: resistance training, Cancer, cancer-related fatigue, randomized controlled trial, quality of life, cancer survivors