Balancing rest and physical activity may help to reduce patient tiredness
The fatigue often associated with cancer and cancer treatment can be relieved by aerobic exercise. An updated systematic review by Cochrane researchers strengthens findings from a previous study in 2008 on cancer-related fatigue published in The Cochrane Library.
A common and potentially long-lasting side effect of cancer and cancer treatment, fatigue may last for months or years. Because patients who suffer the effects of fatigue may be less motivated to continue with treatment, dealing with cancer-related fatigue is essential. Long periods of inactivity may lead to muscle wasting and increased tiredness. However, balancing rest with physical activity may ease fatigue.
The new review adds another 28 studies to the 28 studies included in the 2008 Cochrane systematic review. Altogether, the 56 studies involved a total of 4068 people. Half of the studies included people with breast cancer. Both during and after cancer treatment, those with solid tumors benefited from aerobic exercise, such as walking or cycling. However, other forms of exercise (eg, resistance training) did not significantly reduce fatigue.
“The evidence suggests that exercise may help reduce cancer-related fatigue and should therefore be considered as one component of a strategy for managing fatigue that may include a range of other interventions and education,” said lead researcher Fiona Cramp of the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences at the University of the West of England in Bristol, UK. “This updated review provides a more precise conclusion, showing specifically that aerobic exercise, both during and after cancer treatment, can be beneficial.”
In order to understand how the frequency and duration of exercise and type of cancer affect the results, further research is needed.
Source: Wiley.