Publication details
Home-based exercise interventions incorporating cardiac rehabilitation principles for people with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Type | Peer-reviewed scientific article |
| Magazine / Source | ANNALS OF MEDICINE |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07853890.2026.2726615#d1e528 |
| Doi | https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2026.2726615 |
| Keywords | Home-based rehabilitation; cancer; exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation; cardio-oncology; quality of life; <italic>V</italic>O<sub>2</sub> peak; adherence; fatigue; resistance training |
| Description | Background People with cancer are at increased cardiovascular risk due to treatment-related cardiotoxicity and shared risk factors. Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (exCR) may mitigate these risks, but access to center-based programs is limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness, safety, and adherence of home-based exCR in oncology populations.Methods Six databases were searched in January 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of home-based exCR in adults with cancer. Eligible interventions included structured aerobic and/or resistance exercise consistent with established CR guidelines. Primary outcomes were cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), health-related quality of life (HRQoL), adherence, and safety. Random-effects meta-analyses used standardized mean differences (SMDs).Results Nine RCTs (632 participants) were included. Home-based exCR improved CRF (SMD 0.42; 95% CI 0.09-0.75; I & sup2;=62%) and HRQoL (SMD 0.63; 95% CI 0.05-1.22; I & sup2;=84%). TESTEX scores indicated generally good methodological and reporting quality (mean 10/15; range 7-13). Adherence exceeded 75% in most studies reporting this outcome, and dropout was 15.2%. Adverse-event reporting was inconsistent; no clear safety signal emerged, but evidence was insufficient for firm conclusions. Strength and fatigue findings were inconsistent.Conclusions Home-based exCR appears feasible and may improve CRF and HRQoL in people with cancer, offering an accessible alternative or complement to center-based rehabilitation. Incomplete adverse-event reporting limits safety conclusions. Future studies should evaluate full, multi-component CR models in oncology. |