Effects of physical activity and exercise interventions in health-related variables in Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients during clinical treatment: a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis.

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer-related fatigue and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are common among lymphoma patients undergoing treatment. Exercise may be safe and feasible for individuals with hematological malignancies, with potential benefits in mitigating treatment-related toxicity and enhancing treatment tolerance. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise interventions on health-related outcomes such as HRQOL, muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), fatigue, and body composition in this population.

Evidence acquisition: Electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, SCOPUS, and Web of Science) were searched following PRISMA guidelines. This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024497531).

Evidence synthesis: Five studies (N.=118, 68.6±9.04 years) were included. HRQOL components such as physical functioning (95% CI: 2.97, 26.41), body pain (95% CI: 6.26, 17.35), general health (95% CI: 3.20, 29.72), vitality (95% CI: 4.54, 27.09), emotional role functioning (95% CI: 1.43, 69.50), and mental health (95% CI: 14.73, 21.50) and lower limb strength measured by the 30-Second Chair Stand Test (95% CI: 1.11, 3.48) significantly (P<0.05) improved. No significant effects were found for fatigue, handgrip strength, knee extension strength, or cardiorespiratory fitness. The skeletal muscle index significantly decreased (95% CI: -0.5, -0.13; P<0.05), indicating ongoing muscle loss despite exercise interventions.

Conclusions: These findings support the safety and feasibility of exercise for patients with hematological cancers, showing moderate improvements in physical function and HRQOL. However, heterogeneity in study designs and small sample sizes limit the generalizability of the results.