Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40489401›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2025

The effects of aerobic exercise in patients with cancer-related fatigue: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Tong Wang, Jiaxin Deng, Weicheng Li, Qiubo Zhang, Haoming Yan, Yongfeng Liu

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. CanRestoreFunction: Cancer-related fatigue management eHealth intervention- a pilot pragmatic randomized-control trial.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Trial
  3. Trial
  4. Cancer survivorship in malignant melanoma.Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG · 2026
    Review
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Roles undertaken by family caregivers to help individuals with cancer manage symptoms: a qualitative study of caregivers, patients, and oncology clinicians.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Tong WangSchool of Sports Training, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Jiaxin DengSchool of Sports Training, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Weicheng LiSchool of Sports Training, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Qiubo ZhangPrimary School Attached to Chengdu Normal College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Haoming YanSchool of Sports Training, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Yongfeng LiuSchool of Sports Training, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3645-2896

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCancer-related fatigue (CRF) is characterized by an unusual and persistent sensation of tiredness that can occur during or after treatment, potentially impacting both physical and mental capability, and which does not ameliorate with rest. Aerobic exercise (AE) has been identified as a potent modality to mitigate the severity of CRF in such patients.

objectiveThis study aims to investigate the efficacy of AE in alleviating CRF among patients.

methodsA comprehensive literature search was implemented on PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Cochrane, and Embase until June 2024. Studies were selected based on the following PICOS criteria: Participants (P): cancer patients undergoing treatment or in recovery; Intervention (I): aerobic exercise, including activities such as walking, running, yoga, or tai chi; AE interventions conducted during both treatment and recovery were included. Comparison (C): usual care, no-treatment/wait-list, or attention/activity placebo controls; Outcome (O): cancer-related fatigue (CRF) measured by validated scales; Study design (S): randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3.

resultsThe results indicate that AE exerts a significant impact on CRF, but the heterogeneity is high (SMD = -0.76, 95% CI: -1.30 to -0.22, P < 0.05, I² = 94%). Subgroup analysis revealed that AE interventions lasting at least 12 weeks (SMD = -1.12, 95% CI = -2.02 ~ -0.22, P < 0.05, I² = 96%), 3 times or less per week (SMD = -1.00, 95% CI = -1.83 ~ -0.16, P < 0.05, I2 = 96%), with each session exceeding 60 minutes (SMD = -1.48, 95% CI = -2.32 ~ -0.64, P < 0.01, I2 = 96%), compared to the control group, significantly improve CRF in patients.

conclusionThe research findings confirm the effectiveness of AE in alleviating CRF. Subgroup analysis further elucidated that AE interventions lasting at least 12 weeks, 3 times or less per week, with 60 minutes or more per session, significantly alleviated CRF among patients. However, given the limited number of included studies, caution is warranted in interpreting these subgroup analysis outcomes. The protocol for this review was duly registered on PROSPERO under the registration number CRD42024559098.

Indexed as

ExerciseExercise TherapyFatigueNeoplasmsHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Identifiers

PMID40489401
PMCPMC12148172

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.