The feasibility of physical activity interventions for older adults living with and beyond carcinomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background Older adults are increasingly being diagnosed with and surviving cancers, which can profoundly impact quality of life (QoL). Evidence suggests physical activity interventions can help manage the side effects of cancer and its treatment, and therefore improve QoL. However, older adults are often poorly represented within physical activity and cancer-related research, being excluded because of secondary cancers, comorbidities, and frailty. Therefore, the feasibility of such interventions still requires further investigation. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the feasibility of physical activity interventions specifically designed for older adults living with and beyond carcinoma cancers. Methods This systematic review included feasibility and pilot studies investigating physical activity interventions for older adults (aged ≥ 65 years) living with or beyond any carcinoma, and at any stage of cancer and treatment. Feasibility outcomes were categorised under four metrics (process, resource, management, scientific) and Synthesised Without Meta-analysis according to published guidelines (SWiM). A meta-analysis was performed on four studies with physical activity outcome. The reporting quality of studies was reviewed using the consolidated standards of reporting trials extension for randomised pilot and feasibility studies. Results This current review included 19 studies and 571 participants and revealed that physical activity interventions are feasible for older adults living with or beyond carcinomas, based on adherence, participant-reported acceptability, retention, and safety. It was, however, identified that recruitment was a challenge, with a median of 73% (range 11–100%) eligible for recruitment whilst a median of 58% (range 3-100%) were recruited. It was further found that several feasibility outcomes had limited to no reporting (e.g., intervention fidelity), especially concerning resource and management metrics. Finally, only 8 studies included pre-specified criteria of success which is a key element in assessing if a study was feasible or not based on the criteria set. Conclusions Physical activity interventions are feasible for older adults living with or beyond carcinoma cancers. However, the reporting of feasibility outcomes could be improved to inform future research methodologies, and ultimately improve certainty in study feasibility. Registration: This current systematic review was pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022343724). The full protocol is on the open science framework https://osf.io/qpagz/.