SynthesisJournal of cancer research and clinical oncology2022
Water therapies (hydrotherapy, balneotherapy or aqua therapy) for patients with cancer: a systematic review.
Synthesis in Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 40 citations in OpenAlex.
- Comparative efficacy of various physical therapies on pain, fatigue, quality of life and functional impairment in breast cancer survivors: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Frontiers in oncology · 2025Pooled it
- The Practice of Physical Activity on Psychological, Mental, Physical, and Social Wellbeing for Breast-Cancer Survivors: An Umbrella Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Pooled it
- The effect of warm saltwater and warm water baths on pain, fatigue, sleep quality, and functional capacity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled studyBMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2025Trial
- Comparison of water- vs. land-based exercise for improving functional capacity and quality of life in patients living with and beyond breast cancer (the AQUA-FiT study): a randomized controlled trial.Breast cancer (Tokyo, Japan) · 2024Trial
- Systematic review of clinical evidence for Kneipp medicine.Wiener klinische Wochenschrift · 2026Review
- Short-Term Sulfurous Balneotherapy and Self-Reported Sleep Quality: An Exploratory Retrospective Real-World Pre-Post Observational Study at Terme di Saturnia (Italy).Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- [Physical therapy of cancer patients - narrative review and expert opinion].Magyar onkologia · 2025Review
- Beyond cancer treatment: dermo-aesthetic and other wellness recommendations for breast cancer patients.Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico · 2025Review
- Cardio-Respiratory, Functional and Antalgic Effects of the Integrated Thermal Care Protocol After Breast Cancer Surgery.Life (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Health Resort Treatment Improves Functioning and Physical Performance in Long COVID Patients: A Retrospective Study.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- Long COVID Cardiopulmonary Symptoms and Health Resort Treatment: A Retrospective Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Article
- An update on rehabilitative treatment of shoulder disease after breast cancer care.Musculoskeletal surgery · 2024Review
- Assessment of Integrative Therapeutic Methods for Improving the Quality of Life and Functioning in Cancer Patients-A Systematic Review.Journal of clinical medicine · 2024Review
- The effect of aquatic and land exercise on the mental well-being of women following breast cancer surgery-comparative study.Breast cancer research and treatment · 2023Article
- The Benefits of Water from Nitrodi's Spring: The In Vitro Studies Leading the Potential Clinical Applications.International journal of molecular sciences · 2023Review
- Methodological consideration for a physical activity intervention in breast cancer population: An umbrella review.Heliyon · 2023Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundWater therapies as hydrotherapy, balneotherapy or aqua therapy are often used in the relief of disease- and treatment-associated symptoms of cancer patients. Yet, a systematic review for the evidence of water therapy including all cancer entities has not been conducted to date. PURPOSE: Oncological patients often suffer from symptoms which in patients with other diseases are successfully treated with water therapy. We want to gather more information about the benefits and risks of water therapy for cancer patients.
methodIn May 2020, a systematic search was conducted searching five electronic databases (Embase, Cochrane, PsychInfo, CINAHL and PubMed) to find studies concerning the use, effectiveness and potential harm of water therapy on cancer patients.
resultsOf 3165 search results, 10 publications concerning 12 studies with 430 patients were included in this systematic review. The patients treated with water therapy were mainly diagnosed with breast cancer. The therapy concepts included aqua lymphatic therapy, aquatic exercises, foot bathes and whole-body bathes. Outcomes were state of lymphedema, quality of life, fatigue, BMI, vital parameters, anxiety and pain. The quality of the studies was assessed with the AMSTAR2-instrument, the SIGN-checklist and the IHE-Instruments. The studies had moderate quality and reported heterogeneous results. Some studies reported significantly improved quality of life, extent of lymphedema, neck and shoulder pain, fatigue and BMI while other studies did not find any changes concerning these endpoints.
conclusionDue to the very heterogeneous results and methodical limitations of the included studies, a clear statement regarding the effectiveness of water therapy on cancer patients is not possible.
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Registered trials
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