Beneficial Effects of Exercise on Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment with Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

PURPOSE: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is exposed to cognitive impairments that interfere with their daily lives after a complete recovery. Exercise is one of the effective non-pharmacological treatments to prevent or improve cognitive function decline. This study evaluated the effects of exercise interventions on cognitive function improvement in CRCI breast cancer patients and searched the association of various aspects in which exercise affects cognitive function improvement.METHODS: PubMed, ScienceDirect, ACS journal, and Google scholar databases from 1 January 2014 to 31 May 2021 were utilized for searching articles related to research purpose. Meta-analysis was conducted with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 2.0 using the random-effect model.RESULTS: A meta-analysis of seven studies showed that walking (ES=0.59, p=.000) was the most effective in improving cognitive function, and moderate-intensity (ES=0.60, p=.000) was more effective than moderate-to-high intensity (ES=0.27, p=.007) exercise in CRCI patients with breast cancer. Cognitive function improvement was observed in short-term exercise intervention for four weeks (ES=0.46, p=.038), and after that, it was found that the cognition improvement effect was maintained or improved through long-term (12 or 24 weeks) exercise. Moreover, the cognitive function of CRCI patients with breast cancer improved without supervision during exercise interventions (ES=0.39, p=.001).CONCLUSIONS: Walking and moderate-intensity exercise can suppress cognitive impairment in CRCI patients with breast cancer. Personalized exercise prescription through short-term and long-term exercise periods can alleviate cognitive decline and improve the cognitive function of CRCI breast cancer patients. Exercise interventions without supervision also show a positive influence on cognitive function improvement.