Skip to content
Back

Cancer – Quality of life – Positive/Negative Cycles

A cancer diagnosis frequently has a negative impact upon quality of life, wellbeing and  mental health. Conversely, the benefits of physical activity upon quality of life for patients with a cancer diagnosis have now been well documented. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have included all-type exercise with benefits not found to be confined to specific exercise modalities.

Supervised interventions appear to have some advantage above self-directed exercise in terms of statistically significance, self-reported quality of life and physical function. Measures across studies in this area include quality of life ratings, mood, reductions in anxiety and depression, improved sleep

References

Buffart LM1, Kalter J2, Sweegers MG3, Brug, J., et al, Effects and moderators of exercise on quality of life and physical function in patients with cancer: An individual patient data meta-analysis of 34 RCTs, Cancer Treat Rev. 2017 Jan;52:91-104.

Cramer H, Lauche R, Klose P, Dobos GJ, et al.,Yoga for improving health-related quality of life, mental health and cancer-related symptoms in women diagnosed with breast cancer, Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Jan 3;1:CD010802.

Gerritsen JK, Vincent AJ, Exercise improves quality of life in patients with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials, Br J Sports Med. 2016 Jul;50(13):796-803

Hasenoehrl T, Keilani M, Sedghi Komanadj T,Crevenna R, et al. The effects of resistance exercise on physical performance and health-related quality of life in prostate cancer patients: a systematic review.

Support Care Cancer. 2015 Aug;23(8):2479-97. doi: 10.1007/s00520-015-2782-x. Epub 2015 May 24.

Sweegers, M.G., Altengurg, T.M., Chinapaw, M.J., et al., Which exercise prescriptions improve quality of life and physical function in patients with cancer during and following treatment? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials, Br J Sports Med, 2018; 52:505-513