March 15, 2026

E44 - Exercise Program for Cancer Fatigue

17 minutes

E44 | 18 min | Latest | Publication Link

Podcast based on: Cano-Uceda, A.; Pareja-García, P.; Sánchez-Rodríguez, E.; Fraguas-Ramos, D.; Martín-Álvarez, L.; Asencio-Vicente, R.; Rivero-de la Villa, A.; Pérez-Pérez, M.d.M.; Obispo-Portero, B.M.; Morales-Ruiz, L.; de Dios-Álvarez, R.; Sanchez-Barroso, L.; De Sousa-De Sousa, L.; Maté-Muñoz, J.L.; García-Fernández, P. Effects of a 6-Week Supervised Multimodal Exercise Program on Cancer-Related Fatigue, Quality of Life and Physical Function During Active Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Cancers 2026, 18, 947. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18060947

Type: Article | Publication date: 13 March 2026

Summary: Reduced quality of life, cancer-related fatigue, and functional impairment are common problems during and after cancer treatment. To examine this issue, a randomized clinical trial was conducted with 110 patients with stage I–III cancer. Participants were randomly assigned either to an intervention group, which completed a six-week supervised exercise program, or to a control group that received usual care. The exercise program included cardiorespiratory training, strength exercises, and stretching, with intensity monitored through perceived exertion. Quality of life, fatigue, functional capacity, and muscle strength were assessed. The group that completed the exercise program showed significant and clinically meaningful improvements in fatigue, global quality of life, functional capacity, and muscle strength compared with the control group. Furthermore, a higher percentage of participants in the intervention group achieved improvements considered clinically important. Among symptoms, only insomnia showed a significant reduction. Conclusion: A brief, supervised therapeutic exercise program of moderate to vigorous intensity is safe and effective for improving fatigue, quality of life, and physical function in patients with cancer, and may be suitable for integration into routine oncologic care.

Keywords: therapeutic exercise; cancer; quality of life; physical function; fatigue; short-duration intervention

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