Article

Combined Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Interventions for Children and Adolescents With Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Rui-Chen Ma

Han-Bing Lu

Jin Li

Zhen-Xue Mao

Xiao-Xia Xu

pediatric cancer, aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, systematic review, meta-analysis
ONF 2023, 50(2), 252-262. DOI: 10.1188/23.ONF.252-262

Problem Identification: Systematic reviews in adults with cancer have shown the benefits of combined aerobic and resistance exercise (CE) interventions on physical and psychological fitness. However, data on the efficacy of CE interventions for children and adolescents are limited and discordant.

Literature Search: The PubMed®, Embase®, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure electronic databases were searched from inception to April 19, 2022.

Data Evaluation: Nine randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. A quantitative synthesis method was used to investigate the effects of CE interventions on fatigue, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity levels, and health-related quality of life.

Synthesis: This systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that CE interventions have beneficial effects on the fatigue, cardiorespiratory fitness, and physical activity levels of this population.

Implications for Practice: Healthcare providers should implement CE interventions during hospital care and recommend home-based CE interventions to patients who have barriers to performing hospital-based sessions.

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