Effects of Exercise on Depression in Patients with Breast Cancer: Meta-Analysis Study

This research project is a systematic review and meta-analysis designed to evaluate the effects of exercise interventions on depressive symptoms in patients with breast cancer. The primary objective is to quantitatively synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials comparing exercise-based interventions with usual care or non-exercise control conditions. A comprehensive literature search will be conducted across major electronic databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL, using predefined search strategies. Study selection will follow a two-stage screening process based on the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Study Design (PICOS) framework. Data extraction will be performed using a structured and piloted extraction form, capturing study characteristics, participant demographics, intervention details, and depression-related outcome measures. The methodological quality and risk of bias of included studies will be assessed using established tools for randomized controlled trials. Quantitative synthesis will be conducted using meta-analytic techniques, with pooled effect sizes calculated under a random-effects model. Between-study heterogeneity and potential sources of variability will be explored through subgroup and sensitivity analyses, and publication bias will be evaluated using appropriate statistical and graphical methods. The expected outcome of this project is to provide robust and clinically relevant evidence regarding the effectiveness of exercise interventions in reducing depressive symptoms among patients with breast cancer. By focusing on randomized controlled trials and a homogeneous cancer population, this review aims to inform clinical practice, guide exercise prescription in oncology care, and identify gaps for future research.