Effects of postoperative physical exercise rehabilitation on cardiorespiratory fitness, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer – a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Purpose The reduced cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and functional capacity following surgical procedures and during cancer treatments is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality among patients with cancer. We aimed to assess the impact of endurance and combined resistance exercise i...

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Main Authors: Mailin Beyer, Christian Bischoff, Johannes Lässing, Ines Gockel, Roberto Falz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-024-06064-y
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author Mailin Beyer
Christian Bischoff
Johannes Lässing
Ines Gockel
Roberto Falz
author_facet Mailin Beyer
Christian Bischoff
Johannes Lässing
Ines Gockel
Roberto Falz
author_sort Mailin Beyer
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose The reduced cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and functional capacity following surgical procedures and during cancer treatments is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality among patients with cancer. We aimed to assess the impact of endurance and combined resistance exercise interventions during the postoperative rehabilitation period for patients with colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer. Methods A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE Pubmed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library until October 2023 for randomized controlled trials that assessed exercise interventions (aerobic/endurance; resistance or combined training) on postoperative patients with cancer. The trials evaluated the change in oxygen uptake (VO2max), six-minute walking distance (6MWD), quality of life (QoL), and fatigue. Results Twelve studies, including 1298 patients, were part of this systematic review, and ten studies were included in the meta-analysis. Postoperative exercise interventions led to improvements in CRF and functional capacity (VO2max: MD 1.46 ml/kg/min; 95%-CI 0.33, 2.58; p  = 0.01; 6MWD: MD 63.47 m; 95%-CI 28.18, 98.76; p = 0.0004, respectively) as well as QoL (0.91; 95%-CI 0.06, 1.76; p = 0.04). The quality of evidence was moderate to low. Conclusion Postoperative exercise interventions could effectively improve CRF, functional capacity and QoL as shown in this meta-analysis. However, there is a lack of high-quality trials with a higher number of participants examining the effects of postoperative exercise in patients with colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer. There is an obvious need for long-term, cancer-specific exercise therapies and their evaluation in cancer care.
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spelling doaj-art-d781d48661c9458cbfebdf63a06cc26e2025-02-09T12:10:15ZengSpringerJournal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology1432-13352024-12-01151111810.1007/s00432-024-06064-yEffects of postoperative physical exercise rehabilitation on cardiorespiratory fitness, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer – a systematic review and meta-analysisMailin Beyer0Christian Bischoff1Johannes Lässing2Ines Gockel3Roberto Falz4Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical SchoolInstitute of Sports Medicine & Prevention, University LeipzigInstitute of Sport Sciences, Martin-Luther-University Halle-WittenbergDepartment of Visceral, Transplant, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital LeipzigInstitute of Sports Medicine & Prevention, University LeipzigAbstract Purpose The reduced cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and functional capacity following surgical procedures and during cancer treatments is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality among patients with cancer. We aimed to assess the impact of endurance and combined resistance exercise interventions during the postoperative rehabilitation period for patients with colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer. Methods A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE Pubmed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library until October 2023 for randomized controlled trials that assessed exercise interventions (aerobic/endurance; resistance or combined training) on postoperative patients with cancer. The trials evaluated the change in oxygen uptake (VO2max), six-minute walking distance (6MWD), quality of life (QoL), and fatigue. Results Twelve studies, including 1298 patients, were part of this systematic review, and ten studies were included in the meta-analysis. Postoperative exercise interventions led to improvements in CRF and functional capacity (VO2max: MD 1.46 ml/kg/min; 95%-CI 0.33, 2.58; p  = 0.01; 6MWD: MD 63.47 m; 95%-CI 28.18, 98.76; p = 0.0004, respectively) as well as QoL (0.91; 95%-CI 0.06, 1.76; p = 0.04). The quality of evidence was moderate to low. Conclusion Postoperative exercise interventions could effectively improve CRF, functional capacity and QoL as shown in this meta-analysis. However, there is a lack of high-quality trials with a higher number of participants examining the effects of postoperative exercise in patients with colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer. There is an obvious need for long-term, cancer-specific exercise therapies and their evaluation in cancer care.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-024-06064-yBreast cancerColorectal cancerFunctional capacity maximum oxygen uptakeMorbidityPhysical exercisePostoperative rehabilitation
spellingShingle Mailin Beyer
Christian Bischoff
Johannes Lässing
Ines Gockel
Roberto Falz
Effects of postoperative physical exercise rehabilitation on cardiorespiratory fitness, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer – a systematic review and meta-analysis
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology
Breast cancer
Colorectal cancer
Functional capacity maximum oxygen uptake
Morbidity
Physical exercise
Postoperative rehabilitation
title Effects of postoperative physical exercise rehabilitation on cardiorespiratory fitness, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer – a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Effects of postoperative physical exercise rehabilitation on cardiorespiratory fitness, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer – a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Effects of postoperative physical exercise rehabilitation on cardiorespiratory fitness, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer – a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Effects of postoperative physical exercise rehabilitation on cardiorespiratory fitness, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer – a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Effects of postoperative physical exercise rehabilitation on cardiorespiratory fitness, functional capacity and quality of life in patients with colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer – a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort effects of postoperative physical exercise rehabilitation on cardiorespiratory fitness functional capacity and quality of life in patients with colorectal breast and prostate cancer a systematic review and meta analysis
topic Breast cancer
Colorectal cancer
Functional capacity maximum oxygen uptake
Morbidity
Physical exercise
Postoperative rehabilitation
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-024-06064-y
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