Tian, L., Lu, H.J., Lin, L., & Hu, Y. (2016). Effects of aerobic exercise on cancer-related fatigue: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Supportive Care in Cancer, 24, 969–983.
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Exercise was supervised or home-based, 15–50 minutes in length, two to five times per week for 6–24 weeks. Overall aerobic exercise had a small but significant effect (p = 0.01). Studies with patients past active treatment had a moderate effect on fatigue compared to usual care (p < 0.01). Professionally led exercise led to significant improvements in fatigue (p = 0.02). Professionally led exercises lasted 20–30 (p < 0.01) or 50 minutes (p < 0.02), two to three (p < 0.01, p = 0.01) times per week for eight weeks (p < 0.01). No significant difference by exercise type existed.
Structured exercise can have a positive effect on CRF. The effect may be greater when activity is professionally led and after active treatment.
Consistent physical activity should be discussed with patients with cancer to lessen the effects of CRF.