Physical Activity Interventions for Colorectal Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Only 6 trials were pooled, and the total sample was 803 survivors, so the review could not identify which type, dose, or delivery mode of physical activity worked best. Heterogeneity was high for quality of life and physical activity level, and the studies varied in country, timing after treatment, intervention content and duration. Risk of bias was not uniformly low: 4 studies had unclear selection or detection risk, and 3 studies had high attrition risk because dropout rates were greater than 20%. Usual care was often poorly described and could include education or brief activity advice, so control groups may have received some activity-related support. No subgroup or sensitivity analyses were possible because of insufficient selected studies.

The paper states the authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Do not read the positive quality-of-life and activity findings as proof that physical activity reduces fatigue or BMI. Those pooled outcomes were not significant. Do not choose a specific program type or dose from this review; only 6 trials were pooled and they varied widely.