Promoting physical activity among cancer survivors: an umbrella review of systematic reviews

PurposeExercise is the core element of rehabilitation for cancer patients. However, most of the patients' exercise levels failed to meet the indicators recommended by the guidelines or even decreased. Therefore, this umbrella review aims to provide an overview of review articles addressing the evidence of interventions to promote physical activity behavior change and increase physical activity among cancer patients.MethodsWe searched nine databases from inception to 12 May 2022 to obtain systematic reviews and meta-analyses of interventions to promote physical activity among cancer patients. The AMSTAR-2 was used for the quality assessment.ResultsTwenty-six individual systematic reviews including 13 studies performed meta-analyses. A total of 16 studies' designs were all in randomized controlled trial. Most reviews included studies that were mainly delivered in home settings. The most frequent and mean duration of the interventions was 12 weeks. Interventions mainly included electronic, wearable health technology-based, behavior change techniques (BCTs), and theory-based strategies.ConclusionsElectronic, wearable health technology-based, BCTs, and theory-based interventions were effective and feasible in promoting physical activity in cancer survivors. Clinical practitioners should take corresponding intervention measures according to the characteristics of patients in different groups.Implications for cancer survivorsFuture research may benefit cancer survivors by more comprehensively applying electronic, wearable health technology-based, BCTs, and theory-based interventions.

Automated summary

This umbrella review aims to provide an overview of interventions to promote physical activity among cancer patients. The study found that interventions using electronic, wearable health technology, behavior change techniques, and theory-based strategies were effective and feasible in increasing physical activity among cancer survivors. Clinical practitioners should tailor intervention measures based on the characteristics of different patient groups.