Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41204038›Full record

ArticleSupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2025

How a physical exercise program performed by patients may impact caregiver burden in cancer: a qualitative study.

Anita Borsati, Angela Marotta, Christian Ciurnelli, Francesco Bettariga, Gloria Adamoli, Lorenzo Belluomini, Federico Schena, Michele Milella, Cantor Tarperi, Robert U Newton and 2 more

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In one paragraph

Article in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Anita BorsatiBiomedical, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Angela MarottaDepartment 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, Perth, Australia.
Gloria AdamoliSection of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Lorenzo BelluominiDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, 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, Verona, Italy.
Cantor TarperiDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Robert U NewtonExercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan, University, Perth, 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, Verona, Italy.
Alice AvanciniExercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan, University, Perth, Perth, Australia. alice.avancini@univr.it.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeCaregivers of patients with metastatic cancer may be exposed to an overwhelming sense of burden. Physical exercise may help patients improve their physical condition, manage symptoms, and enhance their quality of life. Nevertheless, it is unclear if these interventions may also likely affect caregivers.

methodsFive focus group (n = 20 participants) were conducted to explore the caregivers' experiences/perspectives of patients affected by metastatic cancer and performing a supervised physical exercise intervention. Thematic analysis using an inductive approach was performed. Theme, sub-themes, and illustrative quotes are displayed.

resultsFour themes were identified. Theme 1 captured, with two sub-themes, the impact of the diagnosis on caregivers' emotional status and daily routines. Theme 2 was related to the perceived benefits of patients' engagement in the physical exercise program, enclosing three sub-themes (physical advantages, management of side effects, psychological well-being) and how this has helped caregivers enhance their emotional well-being. Theme 3 reported how caregivers have felt supported by the physical exercise program for the care of their loved ones (three-sub-themes: supervised by specialists, tailored and flexible program). Finally, theme 4 explained that caregivers, thanks to the patient's participation in the exercise, were able to take back control of their own lives, having more time available and enhancing their relationship with the patient.

conclusionParticipation of patients with metastatic cancer in a structured physical exercise program may be effective in reducing caregiver's burden. This study may serve as a trailblazer to guide future investigations and consolidate the present findings.

Indexed as

CaregiversExerciseExercise TherapyNeoplasmsAdultAgedCost of IllnessFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchQuality of LifeCaregiversCaregiver’s burdenMetastatic cancerPhysical exercise

Identifiers

PMID41204038
PMCPMC12594653

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.