Effects of home-based exercise on anxiety, depression, cancer-related fatigue, and quality of life in colorectal cancer patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials - Report - MDSpire
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Effects of home-based exercise on anxiety, depression, cancer-related fatigue, and quality of life in colorectal cancer patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Clinical Report: Impact of Home-Based Exercise on Colorectal Cancer Patients
Overview
This meta-analysis evaluates the effects of home-based exercise on anxiety, depression, cancer-related fatigue, and quality of life among colorectal cancer patients. The findings indicate significant reductions in anxiety and cancer-related fatigue, alongside improvements in quality of life, although no significant impact on depression was observed.
Background
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignancy associated with various distressing symptoms that adversely affect patients' quality of life. Effective management of anxiety, depression, and cancer-related fatigue is crucial for improving treatment adherence and overall health outcomes. Home-based exercise presents a practical, cost-effective intervention that may enhance symptom management in CRC patients.
Data Highlights
Outcome
Standardized Mean Difference (SMD)
95% Confidence Interval (CI)
Evidence Certainty
Anxiety
-1.26
-2.24 to -0.29
Low
Cancer-related Fatigue
-0.66
-1.14 to -0.18
Low
Quality of Life
0.64
0.18 to 1.10
Low
Depression
-0.76
-1.81 to 0.30
Very Low
Key Findings
Home-based exercise significantly reduced anxiety levels in CRC patients.
There was a notable reduction in cancer-related fatigue among participants engaging in home-based exercise.
Quality of life improved for CRC patients participating in home-based exercise compared to usual care.
No significant effect was found on depression levels in this patient population.
The evidence for these findings is characterized by low to very low certainty.
Future studies should enhance design and outcome measures to strengthen the evidence base.
Clinical Implications
Healthcare providers should consider recommending home-based exercise as a complementary intervention for CRC patients to help alleviate anxiety and cancer-related fatigue. This approach may also enhance patients' quality of life, although further research is needed to address its impact on depression.
Conclusion
Home-based exercise may serve as an effective strategy for managing anxiety and cancer-related fatigue in colorectal cancer patients, while also improving their quality of life. Continued research is essential to solidify these findings and explore the intervention's effects on depression.
