Exercise as an Intervention to Mitigate Decreased Cognitive Function From Cancer and Cancer Treatment: An Integrative Review.
Jamie S Myers, Kirk I Erickson, Susan M Sereika and 1 others
PMID 29194066WHAT IT FOUND
Exercise may help cancer-related cognitive issues, but evidence is weak.
Most studies relied on patient reports rather than objective tests. Nurses can discuss exercise as a potential strategy, but clear recommendations on type, intensity, or timing are not yet supported.
Key findings
01The review found that while many studies reported positive trends, the quality of evidence was low to moderate, with no studies meeting high-quality criteria.
02Most studies relied on subjective self-reports of cognitive function rather than objective measures, limiting confidence in the specific cognitive benefits.
03The authors conclude that evidence shows promising trends but is insufficient to make confident recommendations about efficacy or optimal exercise parameters.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The included studies varied widely in design, population, and exercise type, making direct comparisons difficult. Most studies relied on subjective self-reports of cognitive function rather than objective neuropsychological testing. The quality of evidence was low to moderate for all included studies, with no high-quality trials. Sample sizes were often small, and many studies were not designed with cognitive function as the primary endpoint. The review could not determine the optimal type, intensity, frequency, or duration of exercise for cognitive benefits.
Declared interests
The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the positive trends in this review as evidence that exercise is a proven treatment for cancer-related cognitive impairment. The evidence quality is low to moderate, and most findings are based on subjective self-reports rather than objective testing. Clear recommendations on which exercise to prescribe are not supported by this data.