Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with cancer: exploring the role of physical exercise
Abstract Purpose Cardiovascular 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...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06234-6 |
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| author | Anita Borsati Linda Toniolo Christian Ciurnelli Francesco Bettariga Silvia Teresa Riva Paolo Frada Lorenzo Belluomini Ilaria Trestini Daniela Tregnago Jessica Insolda Marco Sposito Federico Schena Michele Milella Robert U. Newton Sara Pilotto Alice Avancini |
| author_facet | Anita Borsati Linda Toniolo Christian Ciurnelli Francesco Bettariga Silvia Teresa Riva Paolo Frada Lorenzo Belluomini Ilaria Trestini Daniela Tregnago Jessica Insolda Marco Sposito Federico Schena Michele Milella Robert U. Newton Sara Pilotto Alice Avancini |
| author_sort | Anita Borsati |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Purpose Cardiovascular 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. Methods This 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. Results Patients 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. Conclusion While 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a10d8caaa8b64c61b1eb1fdb025363c1 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 1432-1335 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-a10d8caaa8b64c61b1eb1fdb025363c12025-06-29T11:05:03ZengSpringerJournal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology1432-13352025-06-01151612210.1007/s00432-025-06234-6Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with cancer: exploring the role of physical exerciseAnita Borsati0Linda Toniolo1Christian Ciurnelli2Francesco Bettariga3Silvia Teresa Riva4Paolo Frada5Lorenzo Belluomini6Ilaria Trestini7Daniela Tregnago8Jessica Insolda9Marco Sposito10Federico Schena11Michele Milella12Robert U. Newton13Sara Pilotto14Alice Avancini15Biomedical, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of VeronaDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of VeronaDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of VeronaExercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan UniversityDepartment of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San RaffaeleDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of VeronaSection of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of VeronaDietetic Service, Hospital Medical Direction, University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of VeronaSection of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of VeronaSection of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of VeronaSection of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of VeronaDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of VeronaSection of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of VeronaExercise Medicine Research Institute, Edith Cowan UniversitySection of Innovation Biomedicine-Oncology Area, Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine (DIMI), University of Verona and University and Hospital Trust (AOUI) of VeronaDepartment of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of VeronaAbstract Purpose Cardiovascular 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. Methods This 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. Results Patients 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. Conclusion While 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.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06234-6Autonomic dysfunctionCancerHeart rate variabilityPrognosis, physical exercise |
| spellingShingle | Anita Borsati Linda Toniolo Christian Ciurnelli Francesco Bettariga Silvia Teresa Riva Paolo Frada Lorenzo Belluomini Ilaria Trestini Daniela Tregnago Jessica Insolda Marco Sposito Federico Schena Michele Milella Robert U. Newton Sara Pilotto Alice Avancini Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with cancer: exploring the role of physical exercise Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology Autonomic dysfunction Cancer Heart rate variability Prognosis, physical exercise |
| title | Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with cancer: exploring the role of physical exercise |
| title_full | Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with cancer: exploring the role of physical exercise |
| title_fullStr | Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with cancer: exploring the role of physical exercise |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with cancer: exploring the role of physical exercise |
| title_short | Cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with cancer: exploring the role of physical exercise |
| title_sort | cardiac autonomic dysfunction in patients with cancer exploring the role of physical exercise |
| topic | Autonomic dysfunction Cancer Heart rate variability Prognosis, physical exercise |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06234-6 |
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