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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 7/2006

01-07-2006 | Review Article

A meta-analysis of exercise interventions among people treated for cancer

Authors: Vicki S. Conn, Adam R. Hafdahl, Davina C. Porock, Roxanne McDaniel, Paul J. Nielsen

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 7/2006

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Abstract

Goal

This review applied meta-analytic procedures to integrate primary research findings that tested exercise interventions among people treated for cancer.

Methods

Extensive literature searching strategies located published and unpublished intervention studies that tested exercise interventions with at least five participants (k=30). Primary study results were coded. Meta-analytic procedures were conducted.

Main results

The overall weighted mean effect size (ES) for two-group comparisons was 0.52 (higher mean for treatment than control) for physical function, 0.35 for symptoms other than fatigue, and 0.27 for body composition. More modest positive ESs were documented for mood (0.19), quality of life (0.14), fatigue (0.11), and exercise behavior (0.04). ESs were larger among single-group pre–post design studies. ESs among control group participants were typically negative and not (statistically) significantly different from 0.

Conclusions

Exercise interventions resulted in small positive effects on health and well-being outcomes among existing studies. Future research should examine intervention-specific characteristics that result in optimal results, such as dose.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
A meta-analysis of exercise interventions among people treated for cancer
Authors
Vicki S. Conn
Adam R. Hafdahl
Davina C. Porock
Roxanne McDaniel
Paul J. Nielsen
Publication date
01-07-2006
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 7/2006
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-005-0905-5

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