Physical activity and exercise in women with ovarian cancer: A systematic review

Tamara L Jones; Carolina X Sandler; Rosalind R Spence; Sandra C Hayes

doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.06.485

Physical activity and exercise in women with ovarian cancer: A systematic review

Gynecol Oncol. 2020 Sep;158(3):803-811. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.06.485. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Authors

Tamara L Jones¹, Carolina X Sandler², Rosalind R Spence³, Sandra C Hayes⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia; School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia. Electronic address: Tamara.jones@connect.qut.edu.au.
² Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia; School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia.
³ Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, G40 Griffith Health Centre, Level 8.86, Gold Coast campus, QLD 4222, Australia; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia.
⁴ Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, G40 Griffith Health Centre, Level 8.86, Gold Coast campus, QLD 4222, Australia.

PMID: 32616402
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.06.485

Abstract

Objective: A consistent body of evidence supports participating in physical activity (PA) post-cancer diagnosis as beneficial to function, quality-of-life and potentially survival. However, diagnosis of late stage disease, poor prognosis, receipt of high doses of adjuvant therapy and presence of severe acute and persistent treatment-related side-effects may alter how these findings translate to women with ovarian cancer. Therefore, the objectives of this review were to (I) describe PA levels post-diagnosis of ovarian cancer, (II) explore the relationship between PA levels and health outcomes, and (III) evaluate the effect of exercise interventions for women with ovarian cancer.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and CINAHL were systematically searched to December 31, 2019. Two independent reviewers assessed articles for eligibility. Studies were eligible if they evaluated the relationship between PA levels or an exercise intervention and health outcomes following ovarian cancer. Methodological quality was assessed by two independent reviewers using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. Descriptive statistics were used to collate relevant data.

Results: 34 articles were eligible for inclusion. Results demonstrated that most women decrease PA from pre- to post-diagnosis and remain insufficiently active following diagnosis. Higher levels of PA were associated with higher health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL), and lower levels of anxiety and depression. Exercise appears safe and feasible during and following treatment and leads to improvements in HRQOL, fatigue and additional physical and psychological outcomes.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that PA is relevant to health outcomes for women with ovarian cancer. Interventions that aid women to stay or become sufficiently active, including through exercise interventions during or following treatment have potential to improve the lives of those with ovarian cancer. Future work evaluating targeted interventions that can accommodate disease-specific challenges is now required to ensure scientific findings can translate into improved ovarian cancer care.

Keywords: Exercise; Ovarian cancer; Physical activity.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / physiopathology*
Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / psychology
Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / therapy*
Exercise / physiology*
Exercise / psychology
Female
Humans
Ovarian Neoplasms / physiopathology*
Ovarian Neoplasms / psychology
Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy*
Prognosis
Quality of Life
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic