Exercise Effects on Depressive Symptoms in Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
A partir d'une revue systématique de la littérature, cette méta-analyse évalue l'impact d'exercices physiques sur les symptômes dépressifs de survivants d'un cancer
Background: Depression is a distressing side effect of cancer and its treatment. In the general population, exercise is an effective antidepressant. Objective: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the antidepressant effect of exercise in cancer survivors. Data Sources: In May, 2011, we searched MEDLINE, PsycInfo, EMBASE, CINAHL, CDSR, CENTRAL, AMED, Biosis Previews, and Sport Discus, and citations from relevant papers and reviews. Study Eligibility Criteria: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing exercise interventions to usual care in cancer survivors, utilizing a self-report inventory or clinician rating to assess depressive symptoms, and reporting symptoms pre- and post-intervention. Study Appraisal: 7,042 study titles were identified and screened, with 15 RCTs included. Synthesis Methods: Effect sizes (ES) were reported as mean change scores. The Q test was conducted to evaluate heterogeneity of ES. Potential moderator variables were evaluated with examination of scatter plots and Wilcoxon rank-sum or Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: The overall ES, under a random effects model, was -0.22 (CI -0.43, -0.09, p = 0.04). Significant moderating variables (ps < .05) were exercise location, exercise supervision, and exercise duration. Limitations: Only one study identified depression as the primary endpoint. Conclusions: Exercise has modest positive effects on depressive symptoms with larger effects for programs that were supervised or partially supervised, not performed at home, and at least 30 minutes in duration. Impact: Our results complement other studies showing that exercise is associated with reduced pain and fatigue and with improvements in quality of life among cancer survivors.