Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Clinical updates on the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercise in people diagnosed with cancer. A systematic review and meta-analysis (#266)

Kellie Toohey 1 2 , Maddison Hunter 1 , Catherine Paterson 1 2 3 , Murray Turner 1 , Ben Singh 4
  1. University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT, Australia
  2. University of Canberra, Prehabilitation, Activity, Cancer, Exercise and Survivorship (PACES) Research Group, Bruce, ACT, Australia
  3. Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland
  4. University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Aims: To provide an updated critical evaluation on the effectiveness of high intensity interval training (HIIT) on health outcomes among cancer survivors.

Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis 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. 

Results: Thirty-five trials from forty-seven publications were included, with intervention durations ranging between four to 18 weeks. Most trials involved breast cancer participants (n = 13, 36%). 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). A total of 1893 participants were represented in this review. Specifically, the studies were inclusive of participants diagnosed with breast (n = 13), prostate (n = 5), lung (n = 5), mixed (n = 4), colorectal (n = 4), haematological (n = 2), testicular (n = 1), and bladder (n = 1).

Conclusions: Participation in HIIT exercise was associated with higher retention and improvements in aerobic fitness, quality of life, pain and diastolic blood pressure. The 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.