Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40579617›Full record

ReviewJournal of cancer research and clinical oncology2025

Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with cancer: exploring the role of physical exercise.

Anita Borsati, Linda Toniolo, Christian Ciurnelli, Francesco Bettariga, Silvia Teresa Riva, Paolo Frada, Lorenzo Belluomini, Ilaria Trestini, Daniela Tregnago, Jessica Insolda and 6 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
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  4. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Anita BorsatiBiomedical, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Linda TonioloDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Christian CiurnelliDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Francesco BettarigaExercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.
Silvia Teresa RivaDepartment of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
Paolo FradaDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Lorenzo BelluominiSection of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, 37134, Italy.
Ilaria TrestiniDietetic Service, Hospital Medical Direction, University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Daniela TregnagoSection of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, 37134, Italy.
Jessica InsoldaSection of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, 37134, Italy.
Marco SpositoSection of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, 37134, Italy.
Federico SchenaDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Michele MilellaSection of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, 37134, Italy.
Robert U NewtonExercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia.
Sara PilottoSection of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, 37134, Italy. sara.pilotto@univr.it.
Alice AvanciniDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy. alice.avancini@univr.it.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeCardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of non-cancer mortality among patients with cancer, with cardiac autonomic dysfunction identified as a significant predictor of future cardiovascular conditions. Despite the importance of autonomic dysfunction as a prognostic marker being well-established in healthy individuals and other chronic conditions, its role in patients with cancer remains underexplored. This narrative review aims to synthesize existing literature on the role of cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with cancer and explore the potential of physical exercise as a non-pharmacological intervention to modulate the autonomic nervous system positively.

methodsThis review examines methods for assessing cardiac autonomic dysfunction, the factors contributing to its dysregulation, and the prognostic role of heart rate variability. It also analyzes current evidence on the effectiveness of various physical exercise modalities, including aerobic, resistance training, and mind-body interventions, in modulating autonomic function.

resultsPatients with cancer are exposed to disease-related, lifestyle, and physiological factors that impair autonomic regulation. This dysfunction is associated with worse outcomes, such as increased mortality and disease progression. Preliminary evidence suggests that physical exercise, particularly a combination of aerobic and resistance training, as well as yoga, may improve heart rate variability and mitigate sympathovagal imbalance in patients.

conclusionWhile research on the effects of physical exercise on autonomic modulation in cancer patients is still limited, early findings show promise. Further studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms through which exercise improves cardiac autonomic function and its long-term benefits in oncology, positioning this as a novel area of research.

Indexed as

Autonomic Nervous SystemAutonomic Nervous System DiseasesCardiovascular DiseasesExerciseExercise TherapyNeoplasmsHeart RateHumansAutonomic dysfunctionCancerHeart rate variabilityPrognosis, physical exercise

Identifiers

PMID40579617
PMCPMC12204876

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.