The Effects of Physical and Mind–Body Exercise on Anxiety Among Patients with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Controlled Trials

Abstract

Simple Summary Anxiety is common among women with breast cancer and can negatively affect quality of life during and after treatment. Exercise is increasingly recommended as supportive care, but it remains unclear whether conventional physical exercise or mind–body interventions are more effective for reducing anxiety. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared these two approaches and examined whether their effects differed according to treatment phase and cancer stage. The findings showed an average reduction in anxiety across the pooled evidence, with no clear evidence that one approach was superior to the other. However, effects varied considerably between studies, and confidence in the evidence was very low. Comparisons across different phases of the cancer continuum and diagnostic stages were inconclusive. These results support further evaluation of individualized exercise programs in breast cancer care while highlighting the need for further research to determine which exercise characteristics may provide the greatest benefit for specific patient groups.