Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42068492›Full record

ArticleJournal of cancer survivorship : research and practice2026

Exercise promotion in cancer care in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional survey of oncology physicians' knowledge, practices, barriers, and facilitators.

Sattam M Almutairi, Shatha S Alsuraih, Faya B Alqawsi, Nejood A AlFehaid, Amnah A Alauujaimi, Maged A Basha

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Article in Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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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

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3 · Its place in the literature

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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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

6 authors.

Sattam M AlmutairiDepartment of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, P.O. Box 6666, 51452, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia. A.Sattam@qu.edu.sa.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2282-7127
Shatha S AlsuraihDepartment of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, P.O. Box 6666, 51452, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-0155-1957
Faya B AlqawsiDepartment of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, P.O. Box 6666, 51452, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-0791-5988
Nejood A AlFehaidDepartment of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, P.O. Box 6666, 51452, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0003-0397-1021
Amnah A AlauujaimiDepartment of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, P.O. Box 6666, 51452, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-6652-2083
Maged A BashaDepartment of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, P.O. Box 6666, 51452, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3422-6193

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeExercise is increasingly recognized as a critical component of cancer care, reducing treatment-related side effects, and enhancing quality of life. Despite these benefits, exercise promotion remains underutilized in oncology settings. This study aims to assess oncology physicians' knowledge, current practices, perceived barriers, and facilitators related to exercise promotion among people with cancer in Saudi Arabia.

methodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2024 and June 2025 among 44 licensed oncology physicians across Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using the validated Clinicians' Perspectives on Exercise in Patients with Cancer (CliPEC) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data using SPSS Version 28.0.

resultsOnly 18% of participants correctly identified international physical activity guidelines, and 63% were unaware of cancer-specific exercise recommendations. While 63% considered exercise safe and appropriate for cancer patients, few routinely discussed or referred patients to exercise programs. Key barriers included limited time, lack of training, and uncertainty about referral pathways. Facilitators identified included practitioner education, patient handouts, and access to oncology-specialized physiotherapists. A majority of participants expressed willingness to incorporate exercise into care if systemic support were available.

conclusionDespite positive attitudes toward exercise, important knowledge gaps and systemic barriers may hinder its integration into oncology care in Saudi Arabia. Targeted education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and institutional support are essential to bridge this gap and align clinical practice with international exercise guidelines. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: This study suggests that many oncology physicians in Saudi Arabia support the role of exercise in cancer care butmay lack sufficient knowledge, confidence, and referral pathways to promote it consistently. Improving clinician education, strengthening referral systems, and integrating physiotherapists or exercise specialists into oncology teams may help cancer survivors receive more timely and appropriate exercise guidance as part of routine care.

Indexed as

BarriersCancer rehabilitationExercise oncologyExercise promotionFacilitatorsOncology physiciansPhysical activityRehabilitationSaudi Arabia

Identifiers

PMID42068492

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