title: Physical activity for cancer survivors: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To systematically evaluate the effects of physical activity in adult patients after completion of main treatment related to cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials with data extraction and quality assessment performed independently by two researchers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pubmed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar from the earliest possible year to September 2011. References from meta-analyses and reviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised controlled trials that assessed the effects of physical activity in adults who had completed their main cancer treatment, except hormonal treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 34 randomised controlled trials, of which 22 (65%) focused on patients with breast cancer, and 48 outcomes in our meta-analysis. Twenty two studies assessed aerobic exercise, and four also included resistance or strength training. The median duration of physical activity was 13 weeks (range 3-60 weeks). Most control groups were considered sedentary or were assigned no exercise. Based on studies on patients with breast cancer, physical activity was associated with improvements in insulin-like growth factor-I, bench press, leg press, fatigue, depression, and quality of life. When we combined studies on different types of cancer, we found significant improvements in body mass index (BMI), body weight, peak oxygen consumption, peak power output, distance walked in six minutes, right handgrip strength, and quality of life. Sources of study heterogeneity included age, study quality, study size, and type and duration of physical activity. Publication bias did not alter our conclusions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical activity has positive effects on physiology, body composition, physical functions, psychological outcomes, and quality of life in patients after treatment for breast cancer. When patients with cancer other than breast cancer were also included, physical activity was associated with reduced BMI and body weight, increased peak oxygen consumption and peak power output, and improved quality of life.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Daniel Y T
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.forename: Judy W C
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Bryant P H
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.forename: Antoinette M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Duncan J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Macfarlane
authors.forename: Sharron S K
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cerin
authors.forename: Wynnie Y Y
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Ivy P F
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Sharon H S
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Aliki J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Kar-keung
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001824:Body Constitution / Q000502:physiology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017741:Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*