Archives: Research Papers

Physical activity and the Neuro-Immuno-Fascial interface in cancer patients: mechanisms, clinical evidence, and therapeutic integration.

Physical activity has progressed from supportive care to an evidence-based oncologic intervention, with large cohort studies showing dose-dependent reductions in all-cause cancer mortality of roughly 20-47% across multiple tumor entities, and randomized trial evidence supporting a pooled reduction of approximately 26%. The CCTG CO.21 CHALLENGE trial, the first randomized controlled trial powered for survival endpoints, demonstrated that structured post-adjuvant exercise …

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Criterion Validity of a Consumer Wearable for Step Counting and Activity Intensity Classification in Adults With Lung Cancer: Laboratory-Based Validation Study.

BACKGROUND: Consumer wearable activity monitors are increasingly being used as end points in exercise-oncology trials and in clinical decision-making, yet their accuracy is unvalidated in lung cancer, where slow, fragmented gait may challenge step-counting algorithms. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the criterion validity of the Fitbit Charge 6 device against video-recorded direct observation in adults with lung cancer under controlled laboratory …

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Dental implant rehabilitation after jaw tumor resection: a mini-review of protocols and quality of life across treatment modalities.

INTRODUCTION: The rehabilitation of patients following jaw tumor resection presents significant challenges, with the goal of restoring both function and quality of life (QoL). Dental implant-supported prostheses are a cornerstone of this rehabilitation, yet the optimal protocol is not universal. This mini-review synthesizes recent evidence to analyze how the initial oncological treatment modality dictates the pathway, challenges, and outcomes of …

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Muscle-Tumor Crosstalk in Exercise Oncology: Exercise-Induced Myokines and Cancer Cachexia.

Exercise-induced myokines, such as IL-6, irisin, and myostatin, play crucial roles in mediating systemic adaptations and modulating tumor progression. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on how regular moderate-intensity exercise affects the myokine network within the tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid tumors. Results from the 86 included studies indicate that structured training (aerobic: 45-65% VO max; resistance: 45-70% 1RM) enhances the …

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Integrating Physiatry and Palliative Care in Outpatient Oncology: A Clinical Framework for Bidirectional Referral and Co-Management.

Patients with cancer often experience intertwined symptom burden and functional decline that contribute to falls, unsafe transfers, uncontrolled symptoms, caregiver strain, and crisis-driven care. Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatry, and specialty PC both address suffering and quality of life through complementary clinical approaches; however, collaborative care with and between these two specialties is inconsistent in routine …

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Assessing Immune Fitness in Oncological Rehabilitation-Validity and Responsiveness of the Immune Status Questionnaire and Single-Item Scale.

BACKGROUND: Immune fitness (IF) reflects the body’s ability to mount appropriate immune responses. Monitoring IF could improve tailored treatment in oncological rehabilitation. The Immune Status Questionnaire (ISQ) and the Single-Item Scale (SIS) were developed to assess IF, but their clinimetric properties in cancer rehabilitation remain unknown. AIMS: To evaluate the construct validity, responsiveness, and correlation between the ISQ and the …

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Electrotherapy in Oncology Rehabilitation: Current Evidence, Safety Considerations, and Future Perspectives.

As cancer survival improves, rehabilitation has become an increasingly important component of comprehensive oncology care, addressing the growing burden of treatment-related impairments. Although electrotherapy modalities are widely used in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, their application in oncology remains controversial because of persistent concerns regarding safety and potential interactions with tumor biology. This narrative review critically evaluates the current evidence regarding …

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Exploring the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Safety of a 4:3 Intermittent Fasting Weight Loss Program Among Stage I-III Breast Cancer Survivors With Overweight or Obesity: Protocol for a 6-Month Proof-of-Concept Feasibility Trial.

BACKGROUND: Mounting evidence underscores the adverse effects of excess body weight during cancer survivorship, yet many breast cancer survivors struggle to maintain a healthy weight (approximately 70% have overweight or obesity [OW/OB]). Daily caloric restriction with increased physical activity is the standard behavioral weight loss approach; however, many fail to achieve clinically meaningful (>5%) weight loss, emphasizing the need for …

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Exercise-Induced Circulating Lactate Responses in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Exploratory Meta-Analysis.

Physical exercise is strongly recommended for breast cancer survivors due to its beneficial effects on physical function, metabolic health, and quality of life. Lactate, traditionally considered a metabolic byproduct of glycolysis, is increasingly recognized as a signaling molecule involved in metabolic regulation and exercise adaptation. However, exercise-induced circulating lactate responses in breast cancer survivors remain poorly characterized. The aim of …

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Context-dependent regulation of IL-6 in exercise and colorectal cancer cachexia.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignancy of the digestive system and remains a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Its development and progression are influenced by genetic susceptibility, lifestyle factors, metabolic dysregulation, and chronic inflammatory states. Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial wasting syndrome characterized by weight loss, skeletal muscle atrophy, metabolic disturbances, and functional decline, which substantially …

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