Physical Activity Interventions for Colorectal Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA) has been shown to improve total mortality and colorectal-specific mortality risk; however, colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors have lower rates of PA compared with survivors with other types of cancers. Objective: To examine the effect of PA interventions on CRC survivors. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to identify randomized controlled trials that met the inclusion criteria, which included an intervention designed to increase PA and more than 1 outcome of interest. Random effects of the meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.3. Results: Eight publications representing 7 randomized controlled trials of 803 participants were identified. All studies used a combination of behavioral change methods. Physical activity interventions significantly improved disease-specific quality of life, PA level, and maximum amount of oxygen and did not show significant improvements for fatigue and body mass index among CRC survivors. Conclusions: We provided evidence that PA interventions were effective in improving disease-specific quality of life, PA level, and maximum amount of oxygen; however, they did not improve fatigue and body mass index. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to determine the optimal mode of delivering PA intervention for CRC survivors. Implications for Practice: As the survival rate of patients with CRC increases, survivors of CRC need to increase PA in a community

Factors Related to Frailty in Older Cancer Patients Undergoing Colorectal Surgery

“…Previous studies revealed that physical activity is a preventive factor and that regular physical activity may reduce frailty, particularly in older patients at a higher risk of disability 34,35 . A meta-analysis found that physical activity interventions significantly improved the disease-specific quality of life and physical activity levels among colorectal cancer survivors 36 . Therefore, it is crucial to develop an appropriate physical activity program for older cancer patients undergoing colorectal surgery to improve their functional status and prevent the occurrence of frailty.…”

“…34,35 A meta-analysis found that physical activity interventions significantly improved the disease-specific quality of life and physical activity levels among colorectal cancer survivors. 36 Therefore, it is crucial to develop an appropriate physical activity program for older cancer patients undergoing colorectal surgery to improve their functional status and prevent the occurrence of frailty.…”

Effects of Lifestyle Interventions on Health and Life Quality of Colorectal Cancer Survivors

“…Intervention: The intervention groups of included studies received the measures to change at least 1 lifestyle factor (BMI, diet, PA, smoking, and alcohol consumption). The lifestyle interventions can be changes to a single lifestyle factor, as well as mixed or comprehensive programs that promote lifestyle changes 19 . There was no limit to the frequency, duration, and intensity of interventions.…”

“…Because of the very visible nature of the experimental interventions targeting behavior change, it is generally difficult to blind participants. Therefore, we did not evaluate the blinding of participants in this review 19,23 . Studies were rated as having an overall “low risk of bias” when at least 50% of the remaining criteria were designated as low risk.…”

“…However, this study included the patients who did not complete treatment, which could confound the effectiveness of the intervention. A recent meta-analysis of 803 participants in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) found that PA interventions not only increased PA levels in CRC survivors but also improved disease-specific QoL 19 . However, lifestyle factors are diverse and include more than just PA.…”