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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Jun 5;150(6):289.
doi: 10.1007/s00432-024-05813-3.

The effectiveness of mind-body therapy and physical training in alleviating depressive symptoms in adult cancer patients: a meta-analysis

Yixian Zeng #  1 , Ruixin Huang #  1 , Li Zhao  2 , Xingfei He  3 , Shanshan Mao  4
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The effectiveness of mind-body therapy and physical training in alleviating depressive symptoms in adult cancer patients: a meta-analysis

Yixian Zeng et al. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. .

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of mind-body therapy (MBT) and/or physical training in alleviating depressive symptoms among adult cancer patients through a meta-analysis.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from up to October 21, 2023. Effect sizes, 95% confidence intervals, and other pertinent values were computed utilizing a random-effects model with Review Manager 5.3 and StataMP 14. The reporting of findings adhered to the guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The PROSPERO registration code for this review is 4,203,477,316.

Results: 10 randomized controlled trials (11 datasets) involving a total of 620 participants were selected for analysis. The results demonstrated that complementary therapies, encompassing MBT and physical training, were effective in alleviating depressive symptoms in adult cancer patients (SMD= -0.47; 95%CI: -0.87, -0.08; P = 0.02). Subgroup analysis indicate that physical training may effectively alleviate depressive symptoms (SMD= -0.72; 95%CI: -1.31, -0.13; P = 0.02), demonstrating moderate effect sizes. Conversely, MBT does not seem to significantly influence depressive symptoms (P = 0.69).

Conclusions: Complementary therapy lasting four weeks or more, incorporating physical training and MBT, has been shown to alleviate depressive symptoms in adult cancer patients. And physical training has a significant effect on depressive symptoms, while MBT has no effect. Nevertheless, given the constraints of the included studies, further research is required in the future to provide more robust evidence.

Keywords: Adult; Cancer; Depression; Mind-body therapy; Physical training.

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Conflict of interest statement

No conflict of interest regarding this manuscript.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The article selection process flow diagram in accordance with the PRISMA
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The authors’ evaluations of each item for each study included. (A) Risk of bias summary; (B) Risk of bias graph
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plots. (A) Forest plot of interventions (including physical training and MBT) on depressive symptoms in cancer patients; (B) Forest plot of physical training on depressive symptoms in cancer patients; (C) Forest plot of MBT on depressive symptoms in cancer patients; (D) Forest plot of physical training vs. usual care on depressive symptoms in cancer patients
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