Search Results (166)

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a common and debilitating side effect of cancer treatment. While exercise has shown promise in alleviating this burden, it remains underutilised in clinical practice due to the lack of accessible, clinician-friendly guidance. Aim: This review aimed to synthesise current evidence on exercise interventions for managing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and provide practical insights to support clinicians in integrating these approaches into patient care. Methods: A search was conducted across MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus using keywords related to exercise and CIPN. Studies were included if they involved adults receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy and exercise-based interventions. Two authors independently screened studies and resolved conflicts with a third author. Study quality was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Tools, and only studies meeting a minimum quality standard were included. A balanced sampling approach was employed. Data on study design, participant characteristics, interventions, and outcomes were extracted. Results: Eleven studies were included, covering various exercise modalities: multimodal (n = 5), yoga (n = 2), aerobic (n = 1), resistance (n = 1), balance (n = 1), and sensorimotor (n = 1). Exercise interventions, particularly multimodal exercise, significantly improved symptom severity, functionality, and quality of life (p < 0.05). The studies had high methodological quality, with randomised controlled trials scoring between 9/13 and 11/13, and quasi-experimental studies scoring 8/9 on JBI tools. Conclusions: This review highlights the significant benefits of exercise, especially multimodal exercise, for managing CIPN and provides guidance for integrating these strategies into clinical practice. Future research is needed to refine exercise prescriptions and develop standardised guidelines. Full article

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common, debilitating side effect of cancer treatment. Characterized by symptoms like pain, numbness, and muscle weakness, CIPN significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. Current management strategies vary, with limited consensus on effective treatments. This scoping review aims to explore comprehensive rehabilitation interventions for CIPN, focusing on enhancing patient well-being and functional abilities. Methods: A scoping review, guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and Levac et al.’s refinements, was conducted to assess rehabilitation programs for CIPN. Searches across six databases were performed, with inclusion and exclusion criteria focusing on studies with physical rehabilitation interventions. Data were charted, detailing interventions, demographics, and outcomes. Results were synthesized descriptively and presented narratively with tables. Results: The review included 24 studies covering diverse cancer types and treatments, involving a total of 1167 participants. Various interventions for CIPN were assessed, and results were thematically categorized according to exercise category. Physical modalities like ultrasound and exercise showed promise in symptom relief for colorectal and breast cancer patients. No distinct advantage was found in the timing of exercise interventions. Complementary therapies such as acupuncture and yoga demonstrated effectiveness in managing CIPN symptoms. Conclusions: This review highlights the effectiveness of diverse physical and complementary interventions in managing CIPN, advocating for their integration into standard protocols. It emphasizes the need for holistic, patient-centered approaches that combine exercises, physical therapy, and complementary therapies to improve patient outcomes. These findings set a direction for future research and clinical practices focused on comprehensive and personalized CIPN management strategies. Full article

This mixed-methods study examined the influence of physical activity on mental health and sleep quality among 78 long-distance South Asian caregivers of older adults. As caregiving demands grow globally, long-distance caregivers face unique stressors intensified by cultural obligations and geographic separation. Quantitative analyses revealed a significant inverse relationship between depressive symptoms and sleep quality (p < 0.001), with caregivers experiencing frequent depressive feelings and reporting fewer hours of sleep. Although the relationship between physical activity and sleep did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.0903), a positive trend was observed: caregivers engaging in regular activity (≥5 days/week) reported better sleep. Depressive symptoms were also significantly associated with reduced physical activity (p = 0.0378). Qualitative findings enriched these results, illustrating how walking, yoga, and community sports were used to manage stress, enhance mood, and promote sleep. Participants emphasized the therapeutic value of outdoor environments and culturally familiar activities in coping with emotional strain. The findings suggest that physical activity plays an independent and protective role in caregiver well-being. Culturally responsive interventions that promote accessible physical activity may enhance mental health and sleep outcomes in this population, supporting sustainable caregiving and informing policy development for underrepresented caregiver groups. Full article

Objectives: The objective of this overview of systematic reviews with meta-analysis was to summarize the evidence on the possible effectiveness of interventions focused on physical activity in improving and preventing postpartum depression symptoms. Methods: CINAHL (via EBSCOhost), Embase, Epistemonikos, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus (via EBSCOhost), and the Cochrane library were searched from inception to 19 February 2025. The methodological quality of the included reviews was assessed with AMSTAR 2. The degree of overlap between meta-analyses was calculated. Results: A total of eight systematic reviews were included. Overall, the included meta-analyses showed favorable results regarding the effects of physical activity on postpartum depression symptoms. Considering specific physical activity modalities, the largest number of meta-analyses focused on aerobic exercise, yoga, or multimodal exercise. In all three cases, most meta-analyses found that aerobic exercise, yoga, and multimodal exercise could be beneficial in reducing postpartum depression symptoms. Furthermore, several meta-analyses explored the effectiveness of walking, finding positive results in favor of this intervention in reducing postpartum depression symptoms. Finally, movement in water was only explored in one meta-analysis, and no differences were found between these interventions and control groups. Conclusions: Aerobic exercise, walking, yoga, and multimodal exercise programs may improve postpartum depression symptoms. Movement in water was not more effective than control groups for reducing this outcome. However, the results of our overview should be considered with caution, since important methodological and clinical implications have been discussed (e.g., lack of subgroups by prevention and treatment) and should guide the development of future systematic reviews on this topic. Full article

Burn injuries lead to significant physical and psychological consequences, including chronic pain, post-traumatic stress, depression, and social isolation. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been proposed as a holistic approach to address these challenges in burn rehabilitation. This systematic review evaluates the efficacy of dispositional mindfulness and MBIs, including mindfulness meditation, yoga, and self-compassion training, in managing pain, emotional distress, and psychosocial adaptation in burn survivors. A comprehensive literature search was conducted through MEDLINE and Web of Science, covering studies up to February 2025, with additional papers retrieved from Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar. Studies were included if they reported quantitative data on the effects of MBIs in burn patients and/or their families, excluding opinion pieces, editorials, reviews, and qualitative studies. After screening 91 studies retrieved from the databases and adding a compelling paper retrieved from the other sources explored, 12 studies were included in the final pool, categorized into cross-sectional studies (n = 6), and intervention studies (n = 6). The extracted data included publication year, research design, sample characteristics, intervention details, main findings, and data for quality assessment. The synthesis of the results suggests that mindfulness is associated with reduced psychological symptoms, improved emotional regulation, and enhanced self-compassion, leading to better coping strategies and social reintegration. However, the long-term efficacy of MBIs remains inconclusive, and further research is needed to differentiate mindfulness-specific effects from those of general physical exercise. Evidence also suggests that mindfulness interventions may reduce anxiety and secondary trauma in children with burns and their caregivers. This review highlights the potential of MBIs as adjuncts to conventional burn rehabilitation programs, but further high-quality trials are needed to establish their sustained efficacy and to understand the specific benefits of mindfulness. Full article

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder prevalent in women of reproductive age. Treatment or management of this syndrome includes several pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment approaches for different manifestations of the disease that vary with the patient’s age, symptoms, requirements, and geographical location. Objective: This systematic review aims to conduct a comprehensive and evidence-based analysis of the various available treatment options and identify knowledge gaps in PCOS management in India. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases from January 2010 till February 2024. We included randomized control trials (RCTs) using any pharmacological drugs (e.g., insulin sensitizers, anti-androgens, anti-obesity drugs, oral contraceptive pills, ovulation induction drugs, etc.) or non-pharmacological intervention (e.g., yoga, diet, herbal supplements, etc.) with Indian PCOS patients for improving common manifestations of PCOS and written in the English language. Studies were screened by two authors independently in a two-level process. Data extraction was also performed by two authors. Risk of bias was performed using the RoB 2 Tool. Subgroup analysis and meta-analysis were performed using the RevMan tool. Results: Thirty RCTs on pharmacological and eight on non-pharmacological interventions were included in the study. However, all the RCTs were so heterogeneous in terms of intervention used, subject recruited, and outcomes measured that meta-analysis was possible for only three subgroups (metformin vs. inositol, metformin vs. metformin+ inositol, and letrozole vs. clomiphene citrate), with only two or three studies per analysis. Most studies were single-centric and small-sized and had a high risk of bias, limiting their generalizability. Conclusions: This systematic review synthesized existing research and evaluated the effectiveness and safety of existing treatments. Limitations and gaps in the current research were identified, which may inform future research for better understanding and management of PCOS in the Indian context. Full article

Background: Musculoskeletal (MSK) discomfort is a significant occupational hazard for eye care professionals, including ophthalmologists, who report high rates of MSK discomfort. This systematic review investigated the impact of various interventions, such as regular exercise, posture-correcting aids, and surgical heads-up displays, on reducing MSK pain in the operating room. Methods: This review was reported following PRISMA guidelines and was prospectively registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42024559189). A systematic literature search was conducted of Embase, MEDLINE, and Web of Science from inception to 2024. Included studies were categorized as exercise modifications, equipment modifications, or training aids. All MSK pain-related outcomes from any time point were extracted. Risk of bias was assessed using the Murad tool, the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2), and the Risk Of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies-of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. Results: The systematic search strategy identified 2276 studies, of which 53 qualified for full-text screening with 13 resultant studies including 712 eyecare specialists. Physical activity was found unanimously to reduce MSK pain, with favourable evidence for the utilization of posture-correcting aids. There was mixed—but mostly favourable—evidence for the use of surgical heads-up displays. Conclusions: Exercise modifications, such as yoga and regular exercise; equipment modification with heads-up displays during surgery; and training aids for posture correction were shown to be beneficial for MSK-related pain among ophthalmologists. Future studies should strive to improve the certainty of evidence on ergonomics-related interventions for ophthalmologists, which will better support practice and guideline development. Full article

Objective: Chronic stress affects the immune system via the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and autonomic system. Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, cancer onset and progression, susceptibility to infection, and cognitive impairment. Mind–body interventions (MBIs) could affect the immune and neuroendocrine systems, and we aimed to assess the correlations among these systems through a meta-analysis. Methods: RCTs were identified by searching three databases: PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. Of the 1697 studies identified, 89 were included in this study. Risk of bias was examined using the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool. Data were pooled using a random-effects model, and SMDs were calculated. I² statistics and Egger’s test were used to assess the significance of the asymmetry. Influence diagnostics were used to assess whether pooled effects were disproportionately dependent on any single study. The trim-and-fill method was applied to all identified asymmetric instances. Meta-regression was used to examine the moderating effect of MBI efficacy on biomarkers. Results: MBIs generally decreased the levels of inflammatory factors, such as the CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-8, IL-17, ESR, and cortisol, and increased IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-1ra, BDNF, and secretory IgA. In a subgroup analysis of the CNS and cancer, qigong and yoga showed increased BDNF and IL-6, respectively. Notably, IL-10 was increased in inflammatory diseases, and IFN-γ was increased in viral infections. Conclusions: This study revealed MBIs decrease inflammatory cytokine and increase anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immune-activating factors. These results suggest the MBIs including gentle physical exercise may be beneficial for neuropsychiatric disorders or tumors. Prospero registration number: CRD42024507646. Full article

(1) Background: University students’ mental health (MH) is in crisis due to academic stress, lack of physical activity (PA), and low self-esteem. This study evaluated a 12-week PA and meditation intervention to enhance psychological well-being in Spanish university students. (2) Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used, with a non-randomized control group and pretest-posttest assessments. The study lasted 14 weeks (12 weeks of intervention and two for evaluations). Initially, 149 students were recruited, but the final sample included 136 (82 intervention, 54 control) due to attrition. Participants were selected through convenience sampling, respecting university-established groups. The intervention consisted of six PA sessions (aerobic, cardiovascular, and strength exercises) and six meditation sessions (yoga and mindfulness). Validated questionnaires assessed resilience, psychological distress, self-esteem, mood, personality traits, sedentary behavior, PA levels, and sleep duration. (3) Results: Significant improvements were found in resilience (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.01), and sleep duration (p < 0.05), with greater mood benefits in men. No major changes were observed in other variables. (4) Conclusions: PA- and meditation-based interventions can improve students’ MH, particularly in key psychological aspects. Further research should explore long-term effects and refine strategies by distinguishing between preventive and therapeutic approaches. Full article

Executive functions are often impaired in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Understanding the impact of physical exercise on these cognitive domains is essential for developing effective interventions. The aim of this review is to assess the effect of physical exercise on executive functions in adults diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. A systematic search was conducted in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO, initially from inception through January 2024, followed by an update through January 2025. Studies involved adults diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, employed physical exercise as an intervention, and measured executive functions as outcomes. The selection followed PRISMA guidelines, with inclusion determined by consensus among multiple reviewers. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool and GRADE approach for certainty of evidence. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models, with effect sizes (ES) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) calculated for each outcome. From 1517 records, 9 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The analysis revealed a small but significant effect of physical exercise on working memory (ES = 0.300, 95% CI = 0.060–0.539, p = 0.014; I² = 0.0%, Q = 2.2, p = 0.951) and a non-significant effect on emotion recognition (ES = 0.51, 95% CI = −0.291–1.303, p = 0.213; I² = 83%), inhibition (ES = 0.156, 95% CI = −0.173 to 0.484, p = 0.353; I² = 0.0%, Q = 1.1, p = 0.781), and cognitive flexibility (ES = 0.240, 95% CI = −0.270 to 0.749, 95% PI = −1.706 to 2.185; p = 0.356; I² = 53.2%, Q = 3.0, p = 0.094). Physical exercise, particularly aerobic exercise, appears to have a small beneficial effect on working memory in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. However, the evidence for its effect on emotion recognition is less clear and may be influenced by the type of exercise, such as yoga. Further research is needed to provide more robust conclusions. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023392295. Full article

Background: the purpose of this study was to explore the effect of 10 weeks of yoga intervention on the mental health outcomes (stress, anxiety, and depression), quality of life, emotional regulation, and quality of sleep of medical students. Method: In the current experimental study, 220 medical students, with a mean age of 21.36 ± 2.20 years, participated in a 10-week yoga intervention at the University of Pécs. Data were collected before and after the intervention using the validated questionnaires DASS-21, WHOQOL-BREF, PSQI, and DERS. The distribution of data was checked using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. A paired sample T-test was used to compare the mean of the continuous variable. Stepwise linear regression was used to assess the association between mental health outcomes and quality-of-life variables. Results: The present study shows a significant reduction in (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.001), and anxiety (p < 0.001) for participants, and overall quality of life (p < 0.001), quality of sleep (p < 0.001), and emotional regulation (p < 0.001) significantly improved after the intervention. The stepwise linear regression shows a strong association between higher levels of anxiety (β = 0.608, R² = 0.366) and depression (β = 0.608, R² = 0.392), with higher stress levels and improvement in environmental conditions being associated with a decrease in stress levels (β = −0.392, R² = 0.087). Conclusions: the current study shows that yoga significantly improved the mental health and well-being of medical students, improving quality of life, quality of sleep, and emotional regulation. Registered Clinical Trial: NCT06661603. Full article

The growth seen in the number of addictive behaviours related to substance and drug use among adolescents has become one of society’s major problems. Several research studies have tried to find answers to this problem, highlighting the potential of physical activity as a prevention method for substance abuse. The aims of this study were (1) to conduct a systematic review analysing the effects of physical activity, exercise or sports-based interventions on substance use among young people and adolescents and (2) to describe and analyse these interventions. To this end, the guidelines of the PRISMA Declaration were followed, and six databases were searched: PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), PsycINFO, ERIC, SPORTDiscus, and SCOPUS. After screening and meeting the proposed eligibility criteria, a total of 10 articles were included. The results provided scientific evidence of the benefits of physical activity in preventing and reducing substance use, most significantly in interventions based on yoga and structured physical activity. Full article

Symptoms of depression represent a significant burden to patients with breast cancer, not only because of the psychological stress associated with their diagnosis, but also because of the adverse effects of its treatment. We reviewed the clinical trials examining the management of the symptoms of depression in breast cancer patients through different non-pharmacological interventions in different databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the American Psychological Association). Cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy or psychodynamic psychotherapy, as well as acceptance and commitment therapy have been effective in improving symptoms of depression in cancer patients with moderate to severe symptoms. Physical exercise, yoga, mindfulness, and support groups have been shown to benefit patients with mild depressive symptoms. These interventions not only showed positive results in interventions in women with breast cancer in terms of the symptoms of depression, but also highlighted their benefits for comorbid anxiety, stress, and poor sleep quality; moreover, it is suggested that these interventions should be leveraged to manage mental health issues in breast cancer patients. The molecular effects of these interventions, such as the reduction in inflammatory cytokines and cortisol levels, have seldom been reported and need further studies. Full article

Mental disorders are highly prevalent worldwide. Unfortunately, most people with these disorders do not receive any treatment. This is due in part to a large set of barriers (e.g., no access to therapists or clinics, lack of insurance, stigma) that impede seeking and obtaining mental health services. Many lifestyle interventions that are not part of traditional mental health services have indirect effects on reducing symptoms of mental disorders. These are interventions that target a direct focus (e.g., physical health, socialization, general well-being) but also have indirect and significant impact on reducing mental disorders. This article discusses indirect interventions as an additional way of reaching people in need of help with mental health problems. Interventions such as physical activity and exercise, diet, addressing sleep problems, yoga, tai chi, qigong, and volunteering have indirect beneficial effects. This article highlights the scope of mental illness as a background, introduces indirect interventions, and details three illustrations with evidence that targeting one focus with indirect effects on improving mental disorders. The interventions point to a category of interventions are not systematically used in the care of mental health problems. Among their many advantages is the prospect of their use at the levels of individuals and populations. Indirect interventions do not replace any of the current advances in treatment but add to ways of reaching people in need. Full article

Adolescent obesity is a growing global health problem all around the world. We reviewed the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for adolescent obesity, examining improvements in BMI or any metabolic indices of obesity. We performed a PubMed and Scopus search for articles on CAM treatments in adolescents aged 12–17 years, and included all studies with subjects in that age range. Out of 226 PubMed articles and 14 Scopus articles, 28 articles from PubMed and 1 article from Scopus fit our criteria. Most CAM studies that showed some improvement in BMI were acupuncture- or yoga-based. Yoga-based interventions showed a BMI reduction of 1–2 points, which is similar to results achieved in studies based on physical activity and Orlistat, a weak anti-obesity medication; meanwhile, acupuncture-based studies showed a slightly higher BMI reduction of 2–4 points, similar to that achieved with Liraglutide, a GLP-1 agonist that is a good anti-obesity medication. Herbs and supplements showed improvement in metabolic markers of obesity. Stress interventions in mind–body interventions, music skip-rope exercise, and creative drama in physical activity-based interventions also showed improvement in BMI. Although many of the studies reviewed were RCTs, the small sample size of those RCTs is a limiting factor. There may be a role for investigating this topic in larger populations to generate more effective conclusions. Full article