The effects of exercise on sleep disturbances and cancer‐related fatigue for female breast cancer survivors receiving adjuvant hormone therapy: A systematic review

Abstract

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most common type of cancer, accounting for 15% of all new cases. Hormone therapy (HT) is extremely effective in reducing breast cancer recurrence. However, adherence to HT medication is often poor due to negative side effects such as fatigue and sleep disturbances. Physical activity has been identified as a possible intervention to improve quality of life and reduce side effects of HT.ObjectiveThe objective of this systematic review was to summarise evidence of exercise interventions for women being treated with HT for breast cancer.MethodElectronic searches were conducted from inception to March 2022 using Medline, SPORTdiscus, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO and Web of Science databases. Searches included a combination of terms related to breast cancer, exercise, sleep disturbances, fatigue and HT.ResultsTen eligible papers were identified, and their quality was assessed. Type, frequency, duration and intensity of exercise interventions varied. Exercise types included aerobics, strength/resistance training, walking and yoga. Heterogeneity of data made it difficult to draw conclusions. However, aerobic exercise interventions provide clear improvements in fatigue and sleep disturbances.ConclusionsThis review identified a lack of consistency in exercise recommendations for women being treated for breast cancer. It identifies that aerobic exercise can successfully improve fatigue and sleep disturbances, consistent with existing literature. Exercise has a range of benefits for this population, including improving psychological well‐being and quality of life. Clinicians should strongly advocate for engagement in exercise to promote overall physical and psychological well‐being in women being treated for breast cancer.

Effects of resistance training on sleep quality and disorders among individuals diagnosed with cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…However, only four studies were included 55–58 and the population is limited to female breast cancer survivors. The reviews reported different results, in which one reported no significant effects on sleep outcomes, 9 while the other two reported improvements for the aerobic and walking exercises on sleep disturbances 50,51 …”

“…9,50,51 However, one review only investigated the effects of walking, 50 and another 9 included non-randomized controlled trials 52 and studies with only aerobic interventions. 53,54 Moreover, the systematic review conducted by McGrorry et al 51 evaluated the combined intervention of aerobic and resistance training. However, only four studies were included [55][56][57][58] and the population is limited to female breast cancer survivors.…”

“…The reviews reported different results, in which one reported no significant effects on sleep outcomes, 9 while the other two reported improvements for the aerobic and walking exercises on sleep disturbances. 50,51 Taking into account the results of our systematic review and meta-analysis beneficial effects of COMB and RT on sleep outcomes are undeniable, however, some inconsistencies may indicate that methodological differences are defining the outcomes of the training interventions and should be explored, and explained in more detail. Our results showed that RT interventions alone limit sleep quality decrease when compared to CGs.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta‐analysis to examine the effect of RT or COMB training on sleep outcomes in patients and survivors suffering from various form of cancers. Three systematic reviews have previously examined the effects of exercise interventions on sleep outcomes in cancer patients 9,50,51 . However, one review only investigated the effects of walking, 50 and another 9 included non‐randomized controlled trials 52 and studies with only aerobic interventions 53,54 .…”

“…Three systematic reviews have previously examined the effects of exercise interventions on sleep outcomes in cancer patients. 9 , 50 , 51 However, one review only investigated the effects of walking, 50 and another 9 included non‐randomized controlled trials 52 and studies with only aerobic interventions. 53 , 54 Moreover, the systematic review conducted by McGrorry et al.…”