Table 3 Characteristics of the five randomized controlled trials included in the systematic review and meta-analysis
Study ID | Design | Stage of Disease | Participants | Interventions | Outcome measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fairey et al. [26] (2003) | RCT | Breast Cancer Stage I –IIIB | Characteristics of cancer treatment = Women who had completed surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy. N = 53 Female = 53 Exp (n = 25) Age (yr) = 59 (5) Con (n = 28) Age (yr) = 58 (6) | Exp = Aerobic exercise. Length = 15 weeks. Duration = Exercise began at 15 min for weeks 1–3, and then systematically increased by 5 min every 3 weeks thereafter to 35 min for weeks 13–15. Frequency = 3 ses/wk. Intensity = 70 %-75 %. Con = Conventional care. | Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, fasting blood. |
Irwin et al. [14] (2009) | RCT | Breast Cancer Stage 0-IIIA | Characteristics of cancer treatment = Women who had completed surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy. N = 68 Female = 68 Exp (n = 36) Age (yr) = 56.4 (9.5) Con (n = 32) Age (yr) = 55.6 (7.7) | Exp = A combined supervised training program at a local health club and a home aerobic training program. Length = 24 weeks. Duration = 129 min/wk. Frequency = Participants exercised three times per week and were instructed to exercise two days/ week on their own, either at the health club or home. Intensity = Moderate-intensity. Con = Conventional care. Duration = 45 min/wk. | Ainsworth’s Compendium of Physical Activities and fasting blood. |
Janelsins et al. [27] (2011) | RCT | Breast Cancer Stage 0-IIIb | Characteristics of cancer treatment = Surgery with axillary lymphadenectomy and both post-surgery radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Female = 19 Exp (n = 9) Age (yr) = 54.33 (10.64) Con (n = 10) Age (yr) = 52.70 (6.67) | Exp = Tai Chi Chuan (TCC). Length = 12 weeks. Duration = 60 min/session Frequency = 3 session/week. Intensity = Moderate or vigorous. Con = Psychosocial therapy | Bioelectrical impedance tests, Fasting blood. |
Schmitz et al. [28] (2005) | RCT | Breast Cancer Stage I-III | Characteristics of cancer treatment = Radiation treatment, chemotherapy, axillary dissection, and hormonal therapy N = 85 Female = 85 Exp (n = 33) Age (yr) = 53.3 (8.7) Con (n = 36) Age (yr) = 52.8 (7.6) | Exp = weight training Length = 12 month (26 weeks) Duration = 60 min each session Frequency = twice-weekly Intensity = moderate Con = conventional care 0-6 month weight training 7-12 month | Body weight, height, body fat, lean mass, body fat %, and waist circumference, as well as fasting glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF-II, and IGF-binding protein-1, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3. |
Sprod et al. [16] (2012) | RCT | Breast Cancer Stage 0–IIIb | Characteristics of cancer treatment = Surgery (lymphadenectomy and mastectomy) post-surgery radiotherapy and chemotherapy. N = 19 Female = 19 Exp (n = 9) Age (yr) = 54.33 (3.55) Con (n = 10) Age (yr) = 52.70 (2.11) | Exp = Tai chi chuan exercise. Length = 12 weeks. Duration = 60 min/ses. Frequency = 3 ses/wk. Intensity = low to moderate Con = Standard support therapy control (SST) | Cytokine levels and fasting blood. |