The effects of physical activity interventions on self-esteem during and after cancer treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Andres Marmol-Perez, Andrea Rodriguez-Solana, Jose Juan Gil-Cosano, Andrés Redondo-Tébar, Esther Ubago-Guisado, Francisco J Llorente-Cantarero, Luis Gracia-Marco, Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez

Journal: Scientific reports 2024;14(1):26849

PMID: 39500937

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Abstract

To investigate the effect of physical activity (PA) (both general and its type) on self-esteem during and after cancer treatment. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscuss, and PsycINFO from their inception to February 2024. The systematic review included 32 studies, with 15 studies (13 RCT and 2 quasi-experimental) and 3604 participants (66.7% female) included in the meta-analysis involving controlled trials using a control group and at least one PA intervention group. The study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022309771). Risk of bias for RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias (RoB2), and quasi-experimental studies with the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. PA significantly improved self-esteem during and after cancer treatment (pooled SMD = 0.32, p < 0.01). Specifically, aerobic PA (pooled SMD = 0.33, p = 0.04) and mind-body exercise (pooled SMD = 0.70, p = 0.03) had positive effects on self-esteem. Overall, PA interventions improved self-esteem during cancer treatment (pooled SMD = 0.50, p = 0.01) and in PA interventions lasting more than 12 weeks (pooled SMD = 0.44, p = 0.02). In conclusion, PA (specifically, aerobic and mind-body exercises) may have a positive effect on self-esteem during and after cancer treatment, with cancer status and the duration of the intervention being key factors.

Address: Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sport, and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, 18007, Spain.; Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sport, and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, 18007, Spain. [email protected].; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, ibs.Granada, Granada, 18012, Spain. [email protected].; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28029, Spain. [email protected].; Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sport, and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, 18007, Spain.; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28029, Spain.; Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sport, and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, 18007, Spain.; Social and Health Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, 13071, Spain.; Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sport, and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, 18007, Spain.; Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.; Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sport, and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, 18007, Spain.; Department of Health Sciences and Biomedicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Sevilla, 41703, Spain.; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28029, Spain.; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica Maimonides (IMIBIC), Córdoba, 14004, Spain.; Departamento de Didácticas Específicas, Facultad de Educación, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, 14071, Spain.; Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Sport, and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), University of Granada, Granada, 18007, Spain.; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, ibs.Granada, Granada, 18012, Spain.

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-74888-2

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Self Concept, Neoplasms, Exercise, Female, Male, Exercise Therapy