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Healthcare
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Updates on Oncology Rehabilitation
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Updates on Oncology Rehabilitation

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Chronic Care".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 2582

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Bárbara Oliván Blazquez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: mental health; social determinants of health; primary health care; social psychology; chronic diseases
Dr. María Nieves Muñoz-Alcaraz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Interlevel Clinical Management Unit of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Reina Sofía University Hospital, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
2. Córdoba and Guadalquivir Health District, Andalusia Health Service, 14011 Córdoba, Spain
3. Maimonoides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Reina Sofía University Hospital, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
Interests: occupational therapy; rehabilitation; quality of life related to health; upper limb; cancer
Prof. Dr. Josefa González Santos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Interests: occupational therapy; physiotherapy; rehabilitation; quality of life related to health; cancer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Patients being treated for cancer may present significant changes in body structures and functions, which could impact functional outcomes regarding activities and participation in some domains belonging to the biopsychosocial model of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health developed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

There is a risk of permanent or temporary disability, derived both from the behavior of the disease and the impact of the treatments necessary for the control of the disease. Rehabilitation is essential in cancer survivorship care, fortunately with increasing numbers of surviving. Therefore, interventions are needed to minimize the side effects of cancer treatments (lymphedema, fatigue, pain), preventing secondary comorbidities (cardiovascular diseases), recurrences, or the abandonment of treatments. It is essential to increase the awareness of the need for oncology rehabilitation. A  concerted effort is essential to ensure the provision of appropriate rehabilitation interventions for survivors.

Oncological rehabilitation is essential in the comprehensive care of people with cancer to reduce possible physical, psychological, and social consequences; to ease the pain; and to encourage their participation in self-care activities, work activities, social interactions, and ultimately live with dignity, with an optimal quality of life in terms of health, allowing an occupational performance that is as similar to that of the premorbid.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original research articles and reviews. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: multidisciplinary oncological rehabilitation, both before, during, and after oncological treatments; rehabilitation treatments to prevent fatigue, pain, lymphedema, and musculoskeletal problems in patients with cancer; rehabilitation treatments to improve occupational performances in patients with cancer; reviews of evidence of treatment rehabilitation in oncology; physical activity and cancer; oncological telerehabilitation.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Bárbara Oliván Blazquez
Dr. María Nieves Muñoz-Alcaraz
Prof. Dr. Josefa González Santos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • oncology
  • cancer
  • rehabilitation
  • physical therapy
  • occupational therapy
  • physical activity
  • quality of life related to health

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 258 KiB  
Article
Impact of Unilateral Breast Cancer Surgery on Upper Limb Functionality: Strength, Manual Dexterity, and Disability Prediction
by María Gracia Carpena-Niño, Vanessa Altozano-Arroyo, César Cuesta-García, Miguel Gómez-Martínez and Belén Dolores Zamarro-Rodríguez
Healthcare 2025, 13(7), 766; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070766 - 29 Mar 2025
Viewed by 403
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze differences in affected upper limb functionality (grip strength, digital pinch, sensitivity, and manual dexterity) in women with breast cancer and to determine whether these factors can predict perceived disability. This study highlights the [...] Read more.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze differences in affected upper limb functionality (grip strength, digital pinch, sensitivity, and manual dexterity) in women with breast cancer and to determine whether these factors can predict perceived disability. This study highlights the motor and sensory deficits resulting from breast cancer treatments and underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing them. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 42 women diagnosed with breast cancer who underwent surgery and received chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormonal therapy. Strength, sensitivity, and manual dexterity were assessed, along with pain and disability questionnaires. Results: Significant differences were found in affected upper limb functionality according to age, employment status, and time since surgery. Grip strength, pinch strength, manual dexterity, and sensitivity were identified as predictors of perceived disability, explaining 92.15% of the variance in SPADI scores. Conclusions: Women with breast cancer experience functional deficits in the upper limb, particularly in strength, sensitivity, and manual dexterity. Age, employment status, and time since surgery influence the perceived disability. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive upper limb evaluations to identify functional deficits and guide personalized rehabilitation strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Oncology Rehabilitation)
12 pages, 230 KiB  
Article
Commonly Prescribed Chronic Pharmacological Medications as Risk Factors for Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: An Observational Retrospective Cohort Study
by Margherita B. Borg, Marco Battaglia, Laura Mittino, Alberto Loro, Laura Lanzotti, Lorenza Scotti, Giuseppina Gambaro, Marco Invernizzi and Alessio Baricich
Healthcare 2025, 13(7), 691; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13070691 - 21 Mar 2025
Viewed by 245
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a significant complication of breast cancer (BC) treatment, characterized by swelling and fluid accumulation. Many risk factors have already been proven to be related to BCRL; meanwhile, many others are still debated and poorly investigated in [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a significant complication of breast cancer (BC) treatment, characterized by swelling and fluid accumulation. Many risk factors have already been proven to be related to BCRL; meanwhile, many others are still debated and poorly investigated in the literature. This study investigated the potential involvement of commonly prescribed chronic medications in BCRL development. Methods: This observational retrospective cohort study included 162 post-surgical breast cancer survivors attending an oncological rehabilitation outpatient service between January 2021 and April 2023. BCRL was diagnosed by physicians through clinical evaluation and objective measures (≥2 cm increase in circumferential girth measurements). Descriptive statistics summarized patient characteristics, and Cox regression models (univariable and multivariable) were employed to analyze risk factors for BCRL. Results: BCRL was observed in 53% of participants. The univariable model identified BMI (hazard ratio 1.07, 95% CI 1.02–1.11), overweight (BMI ≥ 25) (HR 1.46, 95% CI 0.95–2.25), and breast prosthesis implantation (HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.09–2.80) as potential risk factors for lymphedema. In the multivariable model, overweight (HR 2.90, 95% CI 1.18–7.14), hypertension (HR 5.09, 95% CI 1.88–13.79), radiotherapy (HR 3.67, 95% CI 1.43–9.38), and breast prosthesis implantation (HR 8.93, 95% CI 2.77–28.81) were identified as independent risk factors for BCRL. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the need for further research to understand the role of chronic medications in BCRL risk comprehensively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Oncology Rehabilitation)
12 pages, 275 KiB  
Article
Effect of Strength Training on Body Composition, Volumetrics and Strength in Female Breast Cancer Survivors
by Rocío Pardo-Hernández, Jessica Fernández-Solana, Jerónimo J. González-Bernal, Ena Monserrat Romero-Pérez, Mario Alberto Horta-Gim, Luis Enrique Riojas Pesqueira, María Nieves Muñoz-Alcaraz, Josefa González-Santos and Mirian Santamaría-Peláez
Healthcare 2025, 13(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13010029 - 27 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1091
Abstract
Background/Aims: This cross-sectional study investigates body composition and strength in female breast cancer survivors, focusing on the effects of radical mastectomy and the presence of upper extremity lymphoedema. The main objective was to understand body composition, volumetry, and strength, as well as response [...] Read more.
Background/Aims: This cross-sectional study investigates body composition and strength in female breast cancer survivors, focusing on the effects of radical mastectomy and the presence of upper extremity lymphoedema. The main objective was to understand body composition, volumetry, and strength, as well as response to strength training in female breast cancer survivors. Methods: Twenty-three women (aged 42–74 years old) with radical mastectomy in the last five years were assessed by measuring body composition (weight, water percentage, fat, muscle, and lean mass), maximal strength, perimeters, and brachial volumes. Participants completed a 10-week strength training program of moderate intensity with 20 training sessions. No significant differences were found between the affected/healthy hemispheres in terms of composition, perimeters, and volumetrics. However, 11 women were found to have lymphoedema (47.8%). No statistically significant differences were found between hemibodies after the intervention, although improvements were obtained in pectoral strength and manual grip, as well as in muscle mass and lean mass [p = 0.002 each]. Cases with lymphoedema were reduced to 5 (21.73%). Conclusions: While strength training is shown to benefit body composition, strength, and the incidence of lymphoedema in mastectomized women, further scientific evidence is needed with larger controlled trials and follow-up studies to validate these findings, as well as the impact on the quality of life of these survivors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Oncology Rehabilitation)
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