New Trends in Integrative Cancer Care: The Role of Exercise, Music, and Education
摘要
Following cancer diagnosis, patients often experience a decline in their general health. The myriad cancer-related side effects such as fatigue, pain, mood disorders, or sleep disturbances, among others, are commonly reported by those undergoing cancer treatments or in the survivorship phase. These symptoms contribute to a deterioration in the quality of life, which remains a clinical challenge requiring a multimodal comprehensive approach. Non-pharmacological therapies, defined as treatments that are not registered as drugs, should be considered in integrative cancer care plans to improve the physical and psychosocial well-being of adult people diagnosed with cancer. In this book chapter, we describe some of the most relevant non-pharmacological interventions available to date. An in-depth explanation of the role of physical activity and exercise programming, including both conventional modalities and movement-based mindful exercises, is provided. The concepts of music therapy and music medicine, alone or in combination with exercise, are also presented. In addition, we underscore the significance of patient education as a cornerstone of health promotion for people diagnosed with cancer. Finally, the most up-to-date evidence on the safety and efficacy of these non-pharmacological therapies is summarized, offering readers an understanding of their therapeutic potential.