Impact of Exercise Interventions on Quality of Life and Depression in Lung Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Depression is also a common concern for lung cancer patients, negatively impacting their overall well-being. This study aims to summarize the existing literature on the impacts of exercise interventions on quality of life and depression in patients diagnosed with lung cancer.Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases was performed to find relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of exercise interventions on depression and quality of life in patients with lung cancer. Two evaluators collected information from the chosen studies utilizing a standardized data extraction form. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.Results: Nine RCTs were included in the meta-analysis, with 798 participants. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) for the effect of exercise interventions on depression was -0.60, representing a statistically significant reduction in depression levels following exercise interventions (p < 0.001). The pooled SMD for the effect of exercise interventions on quality of life was 0.61, indicating a statistically significant improvement in quality of life following exercise interventions (p < 0.001).Conclusion: There is evidence that exercise may benefit the mental health of individuals with lung cancer, including improvements in depression symptoms and quality of life, based on the intervention studies reviewed here. Given the heterogeneity in findings, however, additional randomized controlled trials are needed to augment the existing evidence. Nevertheless, there appears to be sufficient evidence now for primary care physicians to recommend exercise for patients with lung cancer, while offering guidance on how to gradually and safely increase physical activity depending on the patient's health status.