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Cancer – Improves sleep quality

Sleep Quality

Improved sleep quality was demonstrated from a meta-analysis that involved walking interventions.[12] A further two systematic reviews demonstrated equivocal evidence on sleep quality in 1 review and likely showing benefit in a the second review – however the conclusion being that there is likely benefit. [13, 14] A meta-analyses demonstrated no significant effect on sleep measures.

Quality of evidence

Grade B – Moderate quality of evidence. The studies are highly heterogenous and mostly looked at walking interventions. From current evidence walking interventions are likely to be most beneficial.

Strength of recommendation

Grade 2 – weak recommendation – more rigorous RCTs are needed, however it is likely that physical activity would be beneficial to patients to improve sleep quality

  1. Van Moll, C.C., et al., The effect of training during treatment with chemotherapy on muscle strength and endurance capacity: A systematic review. Acta Oncol, 2016. 55(5): p. 539-46.
  2. Stene, G.B., et al., Effect of physical exercise on muscle mass and strength in cancer patients during treatment–a systematic review. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol, 2013. 88(3): p. 573-93.
  3. Buffart, L.M., et al., Effects and moderators of exercise on quality of life and physical function in patients with cancer: An individual patient data meta-analysis of 34 RCTs. Cancer Treat Rev, 2017. 52: p. 91-104.
  4. Furmaniak, A.C., M. Menig, and M.H. Markes, Exercise for women receiving adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2016. 9: p. CD005001.
  5. Baumann, F.T., E.M. Zopf, and W. Bloch, Clinical exercise interventions in prostate cancer patients–a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Support Care Cancer, 2012. 20(2): p. 221-33.
  6. Gardner, J.R., P.M. Livingston, and S.F. Fraser, Effects of exercise on treatment-related adverse effects for patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy: a systematic review. J Clin Oncol, 2014. 32(4): p. 335-46.
  7. Cramp, F. and J. Byron-Daniel, Exercise for the management of cancer-related fatigue in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2012. 11: p. CD006145.
  8. Capozzi, L.C., et al., The impact of physical activity on health-related fitness and quality of life for patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review. Br J Sports Med, 2016. 50(6): p. 325-38.
  9. van Haren, I.E., et al., Physical exercise for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. Phys Ther, 2013. 93(4): p. 514-28.
  10. Craft, L.L., et al., Exercise effects on depressive symptoms in cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 2012. 21(1): p. 3-19.
  11. Mishra, S.I., et al., Exercise interventions on health-related quality of life for people with cancer during active treatment. Clin Otolaryngol, 2012. 37(5): p. 390-2.
  12. Chiu, H.Y., et al., Walking improves sleep in individuals with cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Oncol Nurs Forum, 2015. 42(2): p. E54-62.
  13. Matthews, E., et al., Sleep-Wake Disturbance: A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Interventions for Management in Patients With Cancer. Clin J Oncol Nurs, 2018. 22(1): p. 37-52.
  14. Mercier, J., J. Savard, and P. Bernard, Exercise interventions to improve sleep in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Med Rev, 2017. 36: p. 43-56.