Exercise and Anxiety in Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effect of exercise on anxiety in cancer patients using systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials. Methods For this study, three databases including PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched by using keywords. In addition, a hand search was performed on Google Scholar. Mean and standard deviation were extracted from each study and then converted to Hedges’ g. Analyzes were performed using random-effects methods. Heterogeneity was assessed in studies using chi-squared and I 2. Result Finally, 31 randomized control trial studies were selected to enter the meta-analysis. Cancer patients who exercise are less anxious than controls and the Hedges’ g was equal to –0.37 (CI –0.55 to –0.19; p < 0.001). Discussion It is necessary to consider the issue of necessary interventions for anxiety in treatment protocols and interventions for cancer patients, and exercise in the meantime can be beneficial.