Table 1 Characteristics of selected RCTs, study participants and physical activity interventions

Author, Year Country Quality of Life Assessment Intervention Time Follow-up Time Intervention Sample Size Age (Mean ± SD) Years from Diagnosis of Breast Cancer (Mean ± SD / Mean [95% CI]) Frequency (days/wk) Intensity Time (minutes/session) Study Completion Rate (%) Physical Activity Group
Baglia [13], 2019 USA SF-36, FACT-B 12 mon 12 mon Strength-training + aerobic exercise 121 61.2±7.0 3±3.5 (IG) 2.7±3.1 (CG) 2 Moderate 30 50 68.6 Combination exercise
Bolam [14], 2019 Sweden EORTC QLQ C-30 4 mon 24 mon Aerobic interval training + progressive resistance exercise 206 52.7±10.3 (IG) N/A 2 Vigorous 60 66 Combination exercise
Cadmus [15], 2009 USA SF-36, FACT-B 6 mon 6 mon Sports/recreational activities 74 56.5±9.5 (IG) 55.1±7.7 (CG) 187.5±114.2 wk (IG) 173.2±135.2 wk (CG) 5 Moderate-vigorous 30 89 Aerobic exercise
Cešeiko [16], 2019 Latvia EORTC QLQ C-30 12 wk 12 wk Maximal strength training 57 48.2±6.7 (IG) 49.0±8.0 (CG) N/A 2 Vigorous 20 96.5 Muscle-strengthening exercise
Cormie [17], 2013 Australia SF-36 3 mon 3 mon High-load resistance exercise 62 56.1±8.1 (IG) 5.9±6.1 (IG) 2 N/A 60 92 Muscle-strengthening exercise
Courneya [18], 2003 Canada FACT-B 15 wk 6 mon Exercise training 52 59±5 (IG) 58±6 (CG) N/A 3 Vigorous 15 (wk 1–3) 5 min added every 3 wk 35 (wk 13–15) 94.4 Aerobic exercise
Daley [19], 2007 USA FACT-B 8 wk 24 wk Aerobic exercise 108 51.6±8.8 (IG) N/A 3 Moderate 50 96 Aerobic exercise
Dieli-Conwright [20], 2018 USA FACT-B, SF-36 16 wk 4 mon Aerobic+resistance exercise 100 53.5 ± 10.4 N/A 3 Moderate-vigorous 30–50 91 Combination exercise
Dong [21], 2020 China SF-36 12 wk 12 mon Resistance training + cardiorespiratory endurance training + rehabilitation knowledge 60 51.2±7.9 N/A 3 4 N/A 30 73.3 Combination exercise
Lahart [22], 2016 UK FACT-B 6 mon 6 mon Home-based physical activity 80 53.6±9.4 38.0±20.8 wk 3-5 (mon 1-3) 5-6 (mon 3-6) Moderate 30 87.5 Aerobic exercise
Lee [23], 2021 USA FACT-B 8 wk 8 wk Supervised exercise performed on a stationary bike 58 46.9±9.8 N/A 3 Moderate-vigorous 30 100 Aerobic exercise
Liao [24], 2022 China EORTC QLQ C-30 12 wk 12 wk Baduanjin 72 53.12±7.02 (IG) 54.63±8.44 (CG) 3.00±2.54 (IG) 2.17±2.13 (CG) 2 Low 90 94.4 Other exercises
Ligibel [25], 2016 USA EORTC QLQ C-30 16 wk 16 wk Aerobic 101 49.3±9.6 (IG) 50.7±9.4 (CG) N/A N/A Moderate 150 min/wk 76 Aerobic exercise
Loh [26], 2014 Malaysia FACT-B 8 wk 8 wk Qigong 95 19±59.4 1–5 1 (in class) 2 (at home) Low-moderate 90 30 Other exercises
Moadel [27], 2007 USA FACT-G 12 wk 12 wk Yoga 128 54.81±9.95 1.09±1.13 1 N/A 90 78 Other exercises
Mutrie [28], 2007 UK FACT-B 12 wk 6 mon Supervised group exercise programme 203 51.6±9.5 162.0±73.8 days 2 (in class) 1 (at home) Moderate 45 88.1 Other exercises
Pasyar [29], 2019 Iran EORTC QLQ C-30 8 wk 8 wk Yoga 40 51.6±10.46 (IG) 51.8±11.4 (CG) N/A 3 Moderate N/A 67.5 Other exercises
Poorkiani [30], 2010 Iran EORTC QLQ C-30, EORTC QLQ BR-23 2 mon 3 mon Rehabilitation 57 40.7 (IG) 36.7 (CG) N/A 3 N/A N/A 83.3 Other exercises
Rogers [31], 2015 USA FACT-B 3 mon 6 mon Home exercise program (first 6 wk) A face-to-face update counselling session with the exercise Specialist (second 6 wk) 222 54.4±8.5 54±54.2 mon ≥3 Moderate 50 95.9 Aerobic exercise
Schmidt [32], 2015 Germany EORTC QLQ C-30, EORTC QLQ BR-23 12 wk 12 wk Resistance training 67 53±12.5 N/A 2 Moderate 60 82.7 Muscle-strengthening exercise
Shobeiri [33], 2016 Iran EORTC QLQ C-30, EORTC QLQ BR-23 10 wk 10 wk Aerobic 60 42.70±9.6 (IG) 43.50±8.60 (CG) N/A 2 Moderate 40–60 88.3 Other exercises
Strunk [12], 2018 Germany EORTC QLQ C-30, EORTC QLQ BR-23 24 wk 6 mon Kyusho Jitsu 51 54.2±7.8 (IG) 51.5±8.4 (CG) 48.3±44.4 mon (IG) 39.8±34.5 mon (CG) 2 Moderate-vigorous 90 85 Combination exercise
Travier [34], 2015 Netherlands SF-36 18 wk 18 wk Supervised aerobic+resistance exercise Aerobic at home 204 49.7±8.2 (IG) 49.5±7.9 (CG) N/A 2 ≥3 Moderate 60 80.4 Combination exercise
Uth [35], 2020 Denmark SF-36 12 mon 12 mon Football fitness training 68 47.4±9.4 (IG) 50.0±9.3 (CG) N/A 2 Vigorous 60 72.1 Aerobic exercise
Littman [36], 2012 USA FACT-B 6 mon 6 mon Yoga 63 60.6±7.1 (IG) 58.2±8.8 (CG) 6.0 (0.6; 18.1) (IG) 6.5 (0.5; 22.9) (CG) 5 N/A 65–85 85.7 Other exercises
RCTs, randomized controlled trials; N/A, not available; IG, intervention group; CG, control group; CI, confidence interval.