Physical exercise and breast cancer-related lymphedema: an umbrella review, systematic review and meta-analysis
Year: 2025
Type: review
Abstract: The present study aimed to summarize the current evidence on the impact of exercise in patients at risk or with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) through an umbrella review of existing meta-analysis and a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science up to June 2025 to identify meta-analyses and RCTs that included exercise interventions in patients at risk or with BCRL. Three systematic reviews including 14 individual meta-analyses were included in the umbrella review. Two of these met the criteria of strong evidence, reporting beneficial effects of exercise on upper- and lower-body strength. A total of 46 RCTs were included in the systematic review, of which 11 could be meta-analyzed. Strong evidence was found for a beneficial effect of exercise on upper- and lower-body strength and upper-limb disability. Strong evidence supports the beneficial effects of exercise on upper- and lower-body strength and upper-limb disability in patients at risk or with BCRL. Physical exercise, particularly resistance training, is a conservative and effective therapeutic strategy to improve muscle strength and upper-limb disability in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema or at risk of developing it.Progressive resistance training with interventions lasting 8 to 12 weeks represents the most investigated form of exercise in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema or at risk of developing it.Clinicians should monitor perceived exertion, training tolerance and clinical symptoms to ensure safe progression of workload in these patients. Physical exercise, particularly resistance training, is a conservative and effective therapeutic strategy to improve muscle strength and upper-limb disability in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema or at risk of developing it. Progressive resistance training with interventions lasting 8 to 12 weeks represents the most investigated form of exercise in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema or at risk of developing it. Clinicians should monitor perceived exertion, training tolerance and clinical symptoms to ensure safe progression of workload in these patients.
Source: Figshare
Authors: García-Chico, Celia, López-Ortiz, Susana, Pinto-Fraga, José, Ceci, Claudia, Valenzuela, Pedro L., Peñín-Grandes, Saúl, Maroto-Izquierdo, Sergio, Graziani, Grazia, Fiuza-Luces, Carmen, Lista, Simone, Lucia, Alejandro, Santos-Lozano, Alejandro
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6902345703
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