Use of Instrumental Physical Therapies and Manual Therapy in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The objective of this systematic review was to identify and analyze the available evidence on the indications and contraindications of physical and manual therapies in cancer survivors, including patients with metastatic disease and those with a history of neoplasia in follow-up. <b>Methods</b>: A literature search covering the period from 2017 to 2025 was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, NICE, NHS Evidence, PEDro, MEDLINE, and ScienceDirect. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses investigating manual or instrumental physiotherapy interventions in cancer survivors were identified and analyzed according to the PRISMA checklist. <b>Results</b>: Of the initial 2232 studies retrieved across the databases, 9 studies met the inclusion criteria. The available evidence suggests a positive effect of physiotherapy interventions on pain reduction in cancer survivors, both during and after chemotherapy. <b>Conclusions</b>: The clinical recommendation is to implement instrumental physical therapies and manual therapy as part of a multimodal approach rather than as isolated interventions. Close collaboration with the treating oncologist is recommended to determine whether the tumor type requires treatment to be performed away from the tumor site. No absolute contraindications to physiotherapy were identified, either during or after chemotherapy, including in patients with metastatic disease.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cancers
Published
2026-01-26
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18030385
Primary Topic
Cancer survivorship and care
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Use of Instrumental Physical Therapies and Manual Therapy in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

Marco Freddolini, Luca Barni, Davide Falchi, Francesca Nacci et al.
Cancers
Cancer survivorship and care
article

Use of Instrumental Physical Therapies and Manual Therapy in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review

Marco Freddolini, Luca Barni, Davide Falchi, Francesca Nacci, Elio Carrasco Vega, Serena Guiducci
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The objective of this systematic review was to identify and analyze the available evidence on the indications and contraindications of physical and manual therapies in cancer survivors, including patients with metastatic disease and those with a history of neoplasia in follow-up. <b>Methods</b>: A literature search covering the period from 2017 to 2025 was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, NICE, NHS Evidence, PEDro, MEDLINE, and ScienceDirect. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses investigating manual or instrumental physiotherapy interventions in cancer survivors were identified and analyzed according to the PRISMA checklist. <b>Results</b>: Of the initial 2232 studies retrieved across the databases, 9 studies met the inclusion criteria. The available evidence suggests a positive effect of physiotherapy interventions on pain reduction in cancer survivors, both during and after chemotherapy. <b>Conclusions</b>: The clinical recommendation is to implement instrumental physical therapies and manual therapy as part of a multimodal approach rather than as isolated interventions. Close collaboration with the treating oncologist is recommended to determine whether the tumor type requires treatment to be performed away from the tumor site. No absolute contraindications to physiotherapy were identified, either during or after chemotherapy, including in patients with metastatic disease.

CancersVol. 18(3)
Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (IT), Escuela Universitaria de Fisioterapia de la ONCE (ES), Universidad de Málaga (ES)
Openalex Percentile: Top 78%
Cancer survivorship and care
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