Effect of Exercise Training on Quality of Life after Colorectal and Lung Cancer Surgery: A Meta-Analysis

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Surgery is the treatment modality associated with better long-term survival in patients diagnosed with lung cancer and colorectal cancer. However, as a result of surgery, patients experience a substantial decline in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and increased fatigue symptoms. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the effect of pre- and/or postoperative exercise training on HRQoL and fatigue after surgical resection for lung and colorectal cancer. Our results showed that exercise training interventions improve the physical domain of HRQoL and reduce fatigue levels after lung cancer surgery, supporting its use to optimize patients’ recovery. No benefits were found on HRQoL and fatigue after colorectal cancer surgery. ABSTRACT: Surgical treatment affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and increases fatigue symptoms in patients with lung cancer (LC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to systematically review the effect of exercise training on HRQoL and fatigue after LC and CRC surgery. Randomized controlled trials published before 21 March 2021, were searched in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus and PEDro. Eligible trials compared the effect of exercise interventions initiated preoperatively or in the first 3 months after surgery versus usual care on postoperative HRQoL and fatigue. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were pooled using random-effects models. Twelve studies with a total of 777 patients were included. In LC patients (10 studies, n = 651), exercise training in general led to a moderate improvement in the physical domain of HRQoL (0.68: 95% CI: [0.47; 0.89]) and a small reduction in fatigue levels after surgery (SMD = 0.28: 95% CI: [0.02; 0.53]), while no effects were found in other HRQoL domains. In CRC (two studies, n = 126), exercise training showed no effects on HRQoL and fatigue after surgery. Exercise training is an effective intervention to improve physical function and fatigue after LC surgery. Further studies are necessary to clarify the effects of exercise on HRQoL and fatigue after CRC surgery.