If you're getting chemotherapy for colorectal cancer, the fatigue and low mood can be overwhelming. A new review looked at whether adding exercise to treatment could help. The analysis combined results from nine different studies where patients did structured workouts while receiving their chemo drugs. The findings are encouraging for two specific struggles: exercise significantly helped reduce the crushing fatigue that comes with treatment. It also helped lessen feelings of depression. The review didn't find clear evidence that exercise improved physical strength, pain, anxiety, or overall quality of life during this period, but the benefits for fatigue and mood are meaningful. Importantly, the exercise programs seemed safe—no studies reported serious problems, and most patients were able to stick with them. While the effect on fatigue and depression might be modest, it points to a practical, non-drug strategy that can make the chemotherapy journey a bit more manageable for people fighting this cancer.
Exercise during adjuvant chemo reduces fatigue, depression in CRC patientsCan exercise help during colon cancer treatment? A review finds it may ease fatigue and depression
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Key Takeaway
Consider structured exercise during adjuvant chemotherapy to reduce fatigue and depression in colorectal cancer patients.
This systematic review and meta-analysis quantified the effectiveness of structured exercise interventions specifically for patients with colorectal cancer during adjuvant chemotherapy. The analysis included nine studies comprising randomized controlled trials, non-RCTs, single-arm intervention studies, and retrospective cohort studies. Outcomes assessed were exercise capacity, lower and upper extremity muscle strength, fatigue, pain, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. In the RCTs, exercise interventions during adjuvant chemotherapy significantly reduced fatigue, with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of -0.53 (95% confidence interval: -1.04, -0.01). Interventions also significantly reduced depression, with an SMD of -0.34 (95% CI: -0.55, -0.13). The meta-analysis found no significant effect of exercise on exercise capacity, lower extremity muscle strength, upper extremity muscle strength, pain, anxiety, or quality of life. The feasibility assessment showed adherence to exercise interventions during adjuvant chemotherapy ranged from 58% to 100%. Regarding safety, no adverse events were reported, or reporting was not provided. The authors conclude that exercise interventions during adjuvant chemotherapy effectively reduce fatigue and depression in patients with colorectal cancer, though the effect may be small, and that implementation may be safe.
What this means for you:
For colorectal cancer patients on chemo, exercise can be a safe way to fight treatment-related fatigue and depression. More on Cancer
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View Original Abstract ↓
PURPOSE: While some studies have investigated the effectiveness of exercise interventions during adjuvant chemotherapy in cancer patients, the findings are inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify the effectiveness of exercise interventions specifically in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) during adjuvant chemotherapy.
METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using 6 electronic databases. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs, single-arm intervention studies, and retrospective cohort studies that implemented structured exercise interventions. Exercise capacity, lower and upper extremity muscle strength, fatigue, pain, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, anxiety, depression, and quality of life were defined as outcomes. A meta-analysis was performed to quantify the effectiveness of exercise interventions during adjuvant chemotherapy on each outcome. Additionally, the feasibility of the exercise interventions was investigated.
RESULTS: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria for the present systematic review. In the RCTs, exercise interventions during adjuvant chemotherapy significantly reduced fatigue (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.53 [95% confidence interval {CI}: -1.04, -0.01]) and depression (SMD: -0.34 [95% CI: -0.55, -0.13]), but had no significant effect on exercise capacity, lower and upper extremity muscle strength, pain, anxiety, and quality of life. Adherence to exercise interventions during adjuvant chemotherapy ranged from 58 to 100%. No adverse events were reported, or reporting was not provided.
CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review revealed that exercise interventions during adjuvant chemotherapy effectively reduce fatigue and depression in patients with CRC, though the effect may be small. The implementation of exercise interventions during adjuvant chemotherapy may be safe.
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