Effectiveness of Resistance Training on Fatigue in Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of the resistance training to improve fatigue levels in people with cancer who are enrolled in adjuvant and/or neoadjuvant treatment. METHODS: MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, SPORTDiscus, LILACS, CENTRAL, and CINAHL databases were searched from May to December 7, 2021. Randomized clinical trials (RCT) that evaluate the effects of resistance training on fatigue levels in people undergoing cancer treatment were included. The PEDro scale was considered to assess methodological quality of studies, and the evidence was summarized through the GRADE system. The standardized average differences, effect size, and inverse variance model for meta-analysis were calculated. RESULTS: Fifteen RCT for qualitative synthesis and thirteen for meta-analysis were selected. A moderate to high level of evidence of resistance training was identified to improve fatigue in people undergoing cancer treatment. Meta-analysis showed a significant reduction in fatigue (SMD = −0.31, CI 95% = −0.58, -0.12, P = 0.001) after 10 to 35 sessions of resistance training. CONCLUSION: The 10 to 35 sessions of resistance training are effective in reducing fatigue level in cancer patients who are undergoing cancer treatment and have a moderate level of quality evidence.