Chipperfield, K., Brooker, J., Fletcher, J., & Burney, S. (2013). The impact of physical activity on psychosocial outcomes in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: A systematic review. Health Psychology.

To evaluate the effectiveness of physical activity on depression and anxiety symptoms, cognitive function, and quality of life in patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer

TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review

DATABASES USED: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Informit, Scopus, Cochrane Library, CINAHL

KEYWORDS: Prostate neoplasm, prostate cancer, prostate carcinoma, prostate adenocarcinoma, androgen deprivation therapy, androgen ablation, androgen suppression, hormone therapy, androgen antagonist, androgen agonist, gonadotropin, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, antiandrogen, orchidectomy, surgical castration, chemical castration, physical activity, physical exercise, exercise, sport therapy, sport, endurance, aerobic training, resistance training, cardiac training, aerobic activity, resistance activity, and motor activity

INCLUSION CRITERIA: Physical activity interventions, exercise interventions, and supervised and nonsupervised interventions. Participants who were patients with prostate cancer receiving ADT only (or separate results according to cancer and treatment type). All study designs. Pilot studies (no sample size limitations). Published in English.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Studies with the additional interventions of psychotherapy or nutritional consultation. Studies about physical activity behavior or motivation. Studies involving outcomes other than depression, anxiety, quality of life, or cognitive function. Studies involving the impact of physical activity on patients with prostate cancer undergoing forms of treatment other than ADT.

TOTAL REFERENCES RETRIEVED: N = 867

EVALUATION METHOD AND COMMENTS ON LITERATURE USED: Reviewed studies for inclusion and exclusion criteria. No appraisal or scoring system used.

• N (studies)  =  7
• TOTAL PATIENTS INCLUDED IN REVIEW: 420 participants with 242 participants receiving physical activity intervention
• KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Men with prostate carcinoma with any disease stage receiving androgen deprivation therapy at least three months after recruitment or on therapy for two months or expected to receive for six months

PHASE OF CARE: Multiple phases of care

Existing data suggest that physical activity improved quality of life. The existing evidence, however, is not sufficiently robust to determine the adequacy of physical activity as an intervention to improve depression, anxiety, and cognitive function outcomes. One study examined impact on depression and found no significant effect.

Preliminary findings support physical activity to improve quality of life in men receiving ADT for prostate cancer.

• Potential for sample selection bias with participants interested in an active lifestyle being more likely to participate
• Three studies did not report comorbidities.
• Social support bias and attention effects with structured fitness environment fostering social interaction
• Very few studies for outcomes of anxiety or depression

Evidence suggests that clinical exercise in the form of resistance and combined aerobic and resistance training programs may be important for the health status and rehabilitation of patients with prostate cancer.