Exercise improves functional capacity and quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors

A systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of exercise (resistance training only or combined resistance and aerobic training) on patient-reported and health-related fitness outcomes in survivors of head and neck cancer. The analysis included studies of low quality with small sample sizes, heterogeneity in assessment tools, exercise doses, and follow-up periods. Specific comparator details were not reported.

Exercise was associated with statistically significant improvements in several outcomes. Functional capacity measured by the six-minute walk test showed a mean difference of 97.9 meters favoring exercise (95% CI: 78.2 to 117.6, p < 0.001). Lower body flexibility (sit and reach test) improved by a mean difference of 7.16 (95% CI: 0.11 to 14.21, p = 0.05). Quality of life showed a standardized mean difference of 0.51 (95% CI: 0.39 to 0.64, p < 0.001). The improvement in balance (timed up and go test) was not statistically significant (MD: 0.97, 95% CI: -0.36 to 2.30, p = 0.15).

No exercise-related adverse events were reported, and adherence to exercise programs was high, averaging 83.8%. Key limitations include the low quality of the included studies, small sample sizes, and significant heterogeneity in interventions and outcome assessments. The evidence is preliminary and observational, indicating association rather than causation.

For clinical practice, this preliminary evidence suggests exercise may be a safe and well-adhered-to intervention associated with benefits in physical function and quality of life for head and neck cancer survivors. However, the low quality of the underlying evidence and heterogeneity across studies mean these findings should be interpreted cautiously and require confirmation in more rigorous, controlled trials.