The effects of exercise dose on psychological health outcomes in people diagnosed with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Evaluate evidence for the effects of exercise on psychological health in adults diagnosed with cancer. Investigate the effects of different exercise frequencies, intensities, durations, and types on specific psychological health outcomes measuring depression, anxiety, mood, or quality of life. Methods: Six electronic databases searched from inception to May 2024. Randomised Control Trials (RCTs) evaluating effects of exercise on psychological health in adults diagnosed with cancer were included. A random-effects meta-analysis was completed to evaluate effect. Separate meta-analyses were conducted, with subgroups, to evalutate effect of exercise frequency, intensity, duration, and type. Results: Eighty-one studies were included, yielding 205 individual effect sizes across various psychological health outcomes. Exercise interventions demonstrated small to moderate positive effects on psychological health outcomes (combined effect size: d = 0.32, 95%CI 0.22; 0.42). Subgroup analysis revealed positive effects across specific outcomes (depression, anxiety, mood, quality of life). Notably, effect sizes varied between specific outcome measures and exercise variable subgroups. Conclusion: To achieve optimal positive outcomes for psychological health, exercise dosages should consider psychological symptom profile alongside patient characteristics and physical capacity. This meta-analysis provides robust evidence to support the effectiveness of various exercises dosages targeting specific psychological health conditions and symptoms among individuals diagnosed with cancer.