Mercier, J., Savard, J., & Bernard, P. (2016). Exercise interventions to improve sleep in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sleep Medicine Reviews. Advance online publication.
STUDY PURPOSE: To summarize the available evidence regarding the extent to which exercise improves sleep in patients with cancer
TYPE OF STUDY: Meta-analysis and systematic review
PHASE OF CARE: Multiple phases of care
Sleep outcomes improved in 10 studies (47.6%). Interventions included home-based programs, supervised exercise, or a combination of these two approaches. Aerobic and resistance exercise were employed individually or in combination. Meta-analysis of 12 randomized, controlled trials showed no significant effect of interventions compared to control groups.
Analysis showed no clear significant effects of exercise interventions on sleep outcomes among patients with cancer.
Evidence from this analysis does not show an effect of exercise interventions on sleep quality. However, a large body of evidence regarding numerous other benefits of exercise for people with cancer exists. The analysis and most research have included patients who do not necessarily have clinical insomnia, so it would not be expected that interventions would improve sleep. Future research needs to be conducted among patients with clinically relevant insomnia.