What is the evidence of dance and Pilates interventions on the psychological aspects and sexual function of female breast cancer survivors? A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized trials

Introduction: Breast cancer has the highest mortality rate among women worldwide. It is estimated that physical exercise can be beneficial in preventing as well as treating the disease. Objective: To analyze dance and/or Pilates interventions and describe their effects on psychological aspects and sexual function in women who are breast cancer survivors. Methods: The studies were identified in five databases, published between 2012 and 2023, following the PRISMA guidelines, registered in PROSPERO. The PEDro and Cochrane Rob2 scales were used to assess the quality of the studies. Effects were reported with mean differences, standard deviations and 95% confidence intervals and the I2 test was used to assess heterogeneity. Results: Seven studies were included in the systematic review, of which six were included in the meta-analysis. In general, the studies showed no heterogeneity (I2 = 0%; p=1.00), dance showed high heterogeneity (I2 = 77%; p<0.01), Pilates showed high heterogeneity (I2 = 89%; p< 0.01). Self-esteem showed low heterogeneity (I2 = 0%; p=0.58), stress, average (I2 = 38%; p=0.18), while the variables that showed high were sexual function (I2 = 77%; p=0.01), body image (I2 = 69%; p=0.04), depressive symptoms (I2 = 68%; p=0.01) and optimism (I2 = 63%; p=0.01). Conclusion: Both interventions proved to be efficient in psychological aspects and sexual function, however, more studies with dance and Pilates are needed for breast cancer survivors in the variables self-esteem and optimism.