Exercise and Anxiety in Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of exercise on anxiety in cancer patients using systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials.

Methods

For this study, three databases including PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched by using keywords. In addition, a hand search was performed on Google Scholar. Mean and standard deviation were extracted from each study and then converted to Hedges’ g. Analyzes were performed using random-effects methods. Heterogeneity was assessed in studies using chi-squared and I².

Result

Finally, 31 randomized control trial studies were selected to enter the meta-analysis. Cancer patients who exercise are less anxious than controls and the Hedges’ g was equal to –0.37 (CI –0.55 to –0.19; p < 0.001).

Discussion

It is necessary to consider the issue of necessary interventions for anxiety in treatment protocols and interventions for cancer patients, and exercise in the meantime can be beneficial.

Keywords:

• Anxiety
• exercise
• cancer patients
• meta-analysis
• systematic review

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

All authors have approved the final version of the article before submission.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.