Clinical updates on the effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise in people diagnosed with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Toohey, Kellie; Hunter, Maddison; Paterson, Catherine; Turner, Murray; Singh, Ben

Abstract

This study is to provide an updated critical evaluation on the effectiveness of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on health outcomes among cancer survivors. A systematic search was conducted using databases CINAHL and Medline (via EBSCOhost platform), Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Randomised, controlled, exercise trials involving cancer survivors were eligible. Data on the effects of HIIT among individuals diagnosed with cancer at any stage were included. Risk of bias was assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Standardised mean differences (SMD) were calculated to compare differences between exercise and usual care. Meta-analyses (including subgroup analyses) were undertaken on the primary outcome of interest, which was aerobic fitness. Secondary outcomes were fatigue, quality of life, physical function, muscle strength, pain, anxiety, depression, upper-body strength, lower-body strength, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Thirty-five trials from forty-seven publications were included, with intervention durations ranging between four to 18 weeks. Breast cancer participants were represented in the highest number of trials (n=13, 37%). Significant effects in favour of HIIT exercise for improving aerobic fitness, quality of life, pain and diastolic blood pressure were observed (SMD range: 0.25–0.58, all p<0.01). Participation in HIIT exercise was associated with higher retention and improvements in aerobic fitness, quality of life, pain and diastolic blood pressure. The present results provide updated contemporary evidence for clinicians (e.g., exercise physiologists and physiotherapists) to prescribe HIIT exercise for cancer survivors to improve health before, during and following treatment.

Citation

TOOHEY, K., HUNTER, M., PATERSON, C., TURNER, M. and SINGH, B. 2023. Clinical updates on the effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise in people diagnosed with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of science and medicine in sport [online], 26(12), pages 667-675. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2023.09.020

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Sep 30, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Oct 5, 2023
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2023
• Deposit Date: Oct 6, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 6, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
• Print ISSN: 1440-2440
• Electronic ISSN: 1878-1861
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 667-675
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2023.09.020
• Keywords: Cancer; Exercise; HIIT; Oncology; Quality of life; Systematic review; Meta-analsysis
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2098684
• Additional Information: This article has been published with separate supporting information. This supporting information has been incorporated into a single file on this repository and can be found at the end of the file associated with this output.