Cramer, H., Lauche, R., Klose, P., Dobos, G., & Langhorst, J. (2014). A systematic review and meta-analysis of exercise interventions for colorectal cancer patients. European Journal of Cancer Care, 23, 3–14.
STUDY PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of exercise on patients with colorectal cancer
TYPE OF STUDY: Meta-analysis and systematic review
PHASE OF CARE: Not specified or not applicable
Meta-analysis of three studies showed no significant overall effect of exercise on fatigue or quality of life. Exercise was associated with improved physical fitness (p = 0.0006).
Exercise was shown to be effective in improving physical fitness; however, physical fitness did not have a significant effect on fatigue in patients with colorectal cancer in this study.
Exercise has been shown to improve fatigue in multiple patient groups. This review was limited by the small number of studies limiting samples to patients with colorectal cancer.