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Meta-Analysis
. 2011 Feb;41(1):32-47.
doi: 10.1007/s12160-010-9225-1.

Exercise interventions for cancer survivors: a meta-analysis of quality of life outcomes

Rebecca A Ferrer  1 , Tania B Huedo-Medina, Blair T Johnson, Stacey Ryan, Linda S Pescatello
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Exercise interventions for cancer survivors: a meta-analysis of quality of life outcomes

Rebecca A Ferrer et al. Ann Behav Med. 2011 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Exercise improves quality of life (QOL) in cancer survivors, although characteristics of efficacious exercise interventions for this population have not been identified.

Purpose: The present meta-analysis examines the efficacy of exercise interventions in improving QOL in cancer survivors, as well as features that may moderate such effects.

Method: Studies were identified and coded, and QOL effect sizes were calculated and analyzed for trends.

Results: Overall, exercise interventions increased QOL, but this tendency depended to some extent on exercise and patient features. Although several features were associated with effect sizes, models revealed that interventions were particularly successful if they targeted more intense aerobic exercise and addressed women. These tendencies emerged over longer periods of time and were more prominent in studies with higher methodological quality.

Conclusion: Appropriately designed exercise interventions enhance QOL for cancer survivors and this pattern is especially evident for women. Limitations are discussed.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Statement The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of study selection
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Quadratic trends of targeted aerobic METs on improvements in QOL for cancer survivors for longer (top panel) or shorter (bottom panel) duration exercise interventions; the top panel assumes 26 weeks and the bottom panel 8 weeks of training; both control the percentage of women in the sample at the mean. Error (95% CI) is noted with dashed lines
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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