Exploring the impact of exercise on women with ovarian cancer: A call for more methodologically standardized RCTs to enable a realistic systematic review.

Introduction: Ovarian cancer remains a leading cause of mortality among gynecological malignancies, often diagnosed at advanced stages due to nonspecific symptoms and limited screening tools. Standard treatment, including cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy, can cause fatigue, physical dysfunction, and psychological distress, impacting quality of life. Exercise interventions have shown potential to mitigate these effects, but inconsistent methodologies in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) limit reliable conclusions and clinical integration.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. RCTs assessing physical exercise effects on women with ovarian cancer were included, excluding pilot trials, reviews, and combined therapies. Data extraction and GRADE assessments were performed by two independent reviewers, and a narrative synthesis was conducted due to study heterogeneity.

Results: Eleven RCTs were analyzed, covering aerobic, resistance, and yoga interventions. Findings indicated improvements in physical function, fatigue, and psychological outcomes, such as reduced depressive symptoms and cognitive enhancements. Patients adhering to ≥150 min of moderate-intensity exercise per week experienced the most consistent benefits. Preoperative walking expedited recovery, though significant heterogeneity in study protocols precluded meta-analysis.

Discussion: Evidence supports the feasibility and benefits of exercise across ovarian cancer stages. However, inconsistency in exercise intensity, duration, and reporting hinders the development of standardized protocols. Compared to cardiological rehabilitation, ovarian cancer exercise guidelines remain underdeveloped, emphasizing the need for tailored, evidence-based interventions.

Conclusion: Exercise interventions can improve physical and mental health in ovarian cancer patients. Standardized RCTs are urgently needed to establish robust exercise protocols and enable clinical implementation, enhancing survivorship outcomes and quality of life.