The following is a summary of “Effectiveness of aerobic and resistance exercise in cancer survivors with depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials” published in the October 2023 issue of Psychosomatic Research by Law, et al.

Both AE and RE have been shown to be beneficial in alleviating symptoms of depression. On the other hand, there is not yet a comprehensive evaluation and meta-analysis of the research on the usefulness of activities for cancer survivors who are experiencing depression symptoms. Researchers objective was to conduct meta-analyses to study the effects of AE and RE on depressive symptoms experienced by cancer survivors and to compile the results of studies that evaluated the effectiveness of AE and RE. 

This review was given the identifier CRD42023389760 when submitted to the PROSPERO website. In each of the 4 databases, a comprehensive search of the relevant literature was carried out. A random-effects model was used to examine the influence of adverse events (AE) and positive events (RE) on depressive symptoms at posttreatment and in medium-term follow-up in comparison to the control group. The data were synthesized. Subgroup analyses have been carried out to examine which variables are important to higher or fewer effects of treating depressed symptoms among cancer survivors.

Investigators found a total of 28 randomized controlled trials with 2,942 participants. The results of the between-group analyses demonstrated that AE and/or RE helped reduce depressed symptoms among cancer survivors in the immediate post-treatment period (SMD = -0.16; 95% CI = -0.29 to -0.03; p = 0.02) but not in the medium-term follow-up period (SMD = -0.01; 95% CI = -0.57 to 0.55; p = 0.97). According to the findings of the subgroup analysis, AE and exercising three times per week were significant modifiers. It was possible for AE and RE to alleviate the depressed symptoms experienced by cancer patients. Additional research is required to determine whether or not some kinds of cancer patients benefit mentally from participating in physical activity.

Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022399923003276