Cancer rehabilitation effects on the quality of life on individuals with cancer: a scoping review

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to explore cancer rehabilitation practice from multiple researches and to review the effectiveness of these interventions to the quality of life of the individuals with cancer. Methods This research used articles, journals, and research from PubMed, ScienceDirect, NCBI, PEDro, and UpToDate. This study utilized randomized control trial studies from 2011 to the current year. The article's population should be solely cancer patients and has the quality of life as its primary outcome. The articles must have at least a score of 8 in PEDro, and only articles written or translated into English are included. Rayyan.ai ® was used in our research as our review too. Published by University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences on behalf of the Philippine Physical Therapy Association. ISSN: 2766-3086 Results: A total of 8 RCTs were included and reviewed in the study. The results were categorized based on the primary and secondary outcomes and formed into five outcomes: quality of life, fatigue, physical performance, pain, and balance. Eight articles were evaluated for QoL. Six out of all reported a significant effect of cancer rehabilitation among cancer individuals. The other two showed a statistical significance due to small population and insignificant differences aside from selfreported physical activity. Four studies were assessed for fatigue and showed a significant effect in improving and preventing worsening of it. One study reported a significant benefit in increasing physical performance of individuals with cancer. One study was evaluated for pain and gave a significant improvement on the level of pain. One of eight articles addressed balance and significantly improved balance among cancer individuals undergoing treatment. Discussion: Adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy among cancer patients alter their quality of life. Doing aerobic and resistance exercises reign superior across all outcomes that are recommended in a patient with cancer because based on the evidence, it shows that it improves the quality of life of individuals undergoing chemotherapy and diagnosed with cancer. The clinical effects that will benefit the body by doing these exercises are as follows: Increase lung volume, strengthen cardiac muscle, increase the level of HDL, increase bone density, and increase blood volume due to higher endurance during intense physical activity.