The effect of exercise interventions on quality of life in patients with multiple myeloma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

PurposeTo determine the effect of exercise interventions on quality of life in adults with multiple myeloma.MethodsA literature search of 10 sources was performed in June 2022 to identify eligible studies for synthesis. Inclusion criteria: randomised controlled trials comparing the effect of exercise interventions with usual care in adults with a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. The risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model with inverse variance and 95% confidence intervals. Forest plots were constructed to present pooled data.ResultsFive RCTs, which included a total of 519 participants, were selected for inclusion. Four of the five studies were included in the meta-analysis. The mean participant age ranged from 55 to 67 years old. All studies included an aerobic exercise component. Intervention length ranged from 6 to 30 weeks. Meta-analysis of 118 participants showed that exercise interventions had no impact on global quality of life (MD = 2.15, 95% CI: - 4.67, 8.97, p = 0.54, I-2 = 0%). Exercise interventions negatively impacted participant grip strength (MD: - 3.69, 95% CI: - 7.12, -0.26, p = 0.03, I-2 = 0%) according to pooled data from 186 participants.ConclusionExercise interventions have no positive impact on the quality of life of patients with multiple myeloma. The analysis is limited by a high risk of bias across included studies and low certainty evidence. Further high-quality trials are needed to assess the role of exercise in patients with multiple myeloma.