Psycho-Oncologie

Tumor rehabilitation and psychosocial support in GI cancer patients

Hong Zhu — 2026-02-03

Background: The disease progression of advanced gastrointestinal tumors is rapid, and traditional treatments often focus on tumor control while easily ignoring psychological needs and nutritional imbalances. Previous studies have shown that nutritional intervention and psychological support have potential value in improving the quality of life of patients in advanced stages, but there is still a lack of systematic evidence-based research in primary hospitals with relatively limited resources. Objective: To investigate, in hospitalized patients aged 18–80 years with stage IIIb/IV advanced gastrointestinal tumors (expected survival ≥3 months), using a randomized exploratory design, the difference between a control group receiving routine care and nutritional support and an intervention group receiving routine care plus standardized nutritional support, structured rehabilitation exercises, and patient‐centered psychosocial care, on the primary outcome of EORTC QLQ-C30 global health status (items 29 and 30, 0–100 scale), and on secondary outcomes including psychological status (assessed by SAS and SDS), nutritional indicators, and cancer‐related fatigue (assessed by RPFS-CV), with Bonferroni correction applied for multiple testing. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled design was used in this study, and a total of 100 patients with advanced gastrointestinal tumors who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. They were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group, with 50 patients in each group. The intervention group received humanistic care in addition to routine care and nutritional support. After 2 months, changes in EORTC QLQ-C30, SAS, SDS, nutritional indicators, and cancer-related fatigue were compared between the two groups. Independent sample t-test, paired t-test, multiple regression, and Logistic regression were used to analyze the primary and secondary outcome measures, and the χ² test was used to evaluate adverse events. A two-sided test with P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: After 2 months of intervention, the EORTC QLQ-C30 functional dimensions in the intervention group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P < 0.05), and the scores for fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and pain were significantly reduced (all P < 0.05), with a significant difference observed before and after the intervention in the intervention group (all P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression showed that the intervention had an independent positive effect on the overall health status score (P = 0.002), with an increase of 4.75 points in the intervention group compared to the control group after adjusting for covariates. The SAS and SDS in the intervention group improved significantly compared to the control group (both P < 0.05). Among the nutritional indicators of the intervention group, serum albumin and NRS 2002 scores were significantly higher than those of the control group (P = 0.009, 0.002), and the RPFS-CV total fatigue score was also significantly reduced (all P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in adverse events between the groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusion: Humanistic care combined with nutritional support can safely and effectively improve the quality of life, psychological state, and certain nutritional indicators of patients with advanced gastrointestinal tumors in primary hospitals. It is worthy of further promotion and the conduct of longer-term, multi-center studies.

Impact of psychological interventions on the intraoperative outcomes in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: A meta-analysis

Lingna Ren — 2026-02-06

Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of psychological interventions on the intraoperative outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for liver cancer. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted using computer databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Wanfang Database. Reference lists of relevant studies were also reviewed to ensure completeness. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Jadad scoring system. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2.7, a statistical software provided by the Cochrane Collaboration. Results: A total of eight studies comprising 790 patients were included, comparing psychological intervention groups with control groups. The meta-analysis revealed significant differences favoring the psychological intervention group in systolic blood pressure (MD = −15.95 mmHg, 95% CI: −22.31 to −9.25, P < 0.0001), heart rate (MD = −10.68 bpm, 95% CI: −13.87 to −7.48, P < 0.0001), anxiety scores (MD = −2.39, 95% CI: −3.35 to −1.43, P < 0.0001), and the incidence of intraoperative anxiety (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.52, P < 0.0001) compared to the control group. Conclusion: Psychological interventions significantly alleviated negative emotions in patients undergoing TACE for liver cancer, contributing to better intraoperative stability in the control group. These findings suggest that psychological support may facilitate the smooth conduct of the TACE and potentially enhance overall treatment outcomes.

Nursing care intensity and cost profiles in oncology inpatients: A supportive care perspective

Haoyun Dong — 2026-02-11

Inpatient oncology care involves substantial clinical and supportive care demands, with nursing care representing a major component of inpatient workload and resource utilisation. This retrospective observational study examined nursing care intensity and cost burden among hospitalised oncology patients using routinely collected administrative data from a tertiary hospital. Nursing care intensity was operationalised as nursing cost per inpatient day to standardise workload across admissions with varying lengths of stay. Descriptive analyses were performed alongside non parametric comparisons by diagnosis type and discharge outcomes, and associations between length of stay and cost indicators were assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. A total of 17,331 admissions were included. Hospital cost and nursing cost demonstrated marked right skewness, indicating concentration of resource utilisation among a subset of patients. Admissions involving malignant disease were associated with significantly higher nursing and total hospital costs and longer hospitalisation compared with benign tumour related admissions. Nursing care intensity was relatively evenly distributed across low, medium, and high categories, while patients with unfavourable discharge outcomes experienced substantially greater cumulative and daily nursing care burden. Length of stay was strongly associated with cumulative nursing and hospital costs but showed only a weak association with daily nursing care intensity. These findings suggest that nursing cost per inpatient day captures aspects of care complexity beyond duration of hospitalisation and may support more responsive supportive care planning and nursing workforce allocation in inpatient oncology services.

Psychological care needs among hospitalized liver tumor patients: Insights from clinical profiles and comorbidity burden

Dan Zhao — 2026-02-11

Hospitalized liver cancer patients frequently face psychological vulnerability due to disease severity, multiple comorbidities, and intensive treatment. This study analyzed clinical data from 42 patients with confirmed liver malignancy diagnoses to identify psychosocial needs implied by hospitalization patterns and clinical burden. Length of stay (LOS), comorbidity frequency, and treatment intensity were examined as indirect markers of psychological distress, as prolonged hospitalization and high comorbidity burden contribute to anxiety and emotional strain. Patients had a mean LOS of 14.02 days and a median of 15.5 days (range 2–33, SD 8.09), with an average of nearly seven concurrent diagnoses, including cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B, ascites, hypoproteinemia, and postoperative or treatment-related complications. These factors reflect elevated physical burden and functional impairment, recognized contributors to anxiety, uncertainty, depressive symptoms, and emotional exhaustion in psycho-oncology literature. Extended hospitalization further amplifies stress through loss of autonomy, sleep disruption, and financial strain. Findings emphasize the need for early psychosocial screening and structured psychological care, particularly for patients with prolonged LOS or high comorbidity burden. Clinical indicators can serve as practical triggers for distress assessment where formal psychological measures are not consistently available. Integrating psychological nurses within hepatobiliary oncology units may enhance patient support, optimize coping, and address emotional, social, and existential concerns. Despite the retrospective design and absence of direct psychological measurements, these results provide a framework for future prospective psycho-oncology research. Recognizing and addressing the psychosocial consequences of clinical complexity is essential for improving emotional well-being and delivering comprehensive liver cancer care.

Nursing resource utilisation in hospitalised cancer patients: Implications for psychosocially informed supportive care

Ningzhu Wang — 2026-02-12

This retrospective observational study analysed administrative data from 7448 hospitalised oncology admissions. Nursing cost was used strictly as a proxy indicator of nursing resource utilisation and was further normalised by length of stay to derive nursing resource utilisation per inpatient day. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise patient characteristics and utilisation patterns. Differences in nursing resource utilisation across discharge outcome categories were examined using non-parametric methods. The median length of hospital stay was 5.0 days (IQR: 3.0–9.0). The mean nursing cost per admission was 496.03 (SD 2502.83), with a median of 156.06 (IQR: 78.00–339.10). When normalised per inpatient day, the mean nursing resource utilisation was 39.91 (SD 28.26), with a median of 29.10 (IQR: 26.00–43.23), displaying a markedly right-skewed distribution. Nursing resource utilisation per inpatient day differed significantly by discharge outcome (p < 0.001), with higher utilisation observed among patients experiencing adverse outcomes, including death and ineffective treatment, compared with those discharged with improvement or cure. Nursing resource utilisation among hospitalised oncology patients is heterogeneous and closely linked to inpatient care trajectories. These findings highlight the importance of recognising nursing resource use as an indicator of care distribution and psychosocial care visibility, rather than economic burden, within inpatient oncology services.

Psychological resilience and treatment adherence in rheumatoid arthritis–cancer comorbidity: Evidence-based intervention pathways

Wei Wei — 2026-02-25

Patients with coexisting rheumatoid arthritis and cancer face complex clinical and psychosocial challenges that may influence psychological adaptation and health related behaviors. This study examined psychological resilience, treatment adherence, quality of life, pain severity, and disease activity related indicators among patients with rheumatoid arthritis alone, cancer alone, and rheumatoid arthritis cancer comorbidity. A cross-sectional observational design was employed, and forty adult patients were recruited from a tertiary care hospital. Participants completed validated self-report measures of resilience, treatment adherence, quality of life, and pain severity, while clinical data for rheumatoid arthritis disease activity and inflammatory markers were extracted from medical records. Group comparisons and within group correlation analyses were conducted. Psychological resilience differed significantly across disease groups, with patients with cancer demonstrating lower resilience than those with rheumatoid arthritis or comorbid disease. Quality of life and pain severity also varied significantly by disease group, with cancer patients reporting poorer quality of life and higher pain levels. Treatment adherence did not differ significantly across groups. Within group analyses revealed that psychological resilience was positively and significantly associated with treatment adherence only among patients with rheumatoid arthritis cancer comorbidity, while no significant associations were observed in the rheumatoid arthritis only or cancer only groups. Resilience was not significantly associated with quality of life in any group. These findings suggest that resilience may play a context dependent role in supporting treatment adherence in patients with complex comorbidity, highlighting the importance of targeted psychosocial intervention pathways in multidisciplinary care.

Psychological mechanisms of educational interventions integrating music therapy in strengthening family support for cancer patients’ rehabilitation

Yuqin Zhang — 2026-02-25

This paper focuses on exploring the impact of educational interventions integrating music therapy on enhancing family support for cancer patients and their subsequent effects on patient rehabilitation, with a core aim to address two key research questions: 1) Can a comprehensive educational intervention program—integrating online courses, offline workshops, one-on-one consultations, and music therapy modules (music meditation, music-assisted communication)—designed from a psychological perspective to target family members’ cognition, care skills, coping abilities, and family communication, significantly improve the multi-dimensional level of family support (including cognitive, emotional, and practical support) for cancer patients? 2) Through which psychological pathways do the traditional educational modules and music therapy modules respectively exert effects, and how do they synergistically influence the rehabilitation outcomes of cancer patients? The study adopted a randomized controlled trial design, recruiting 120 pairs of cancer patients and their family members, who were randomly divided into an intervention group (IG) and a control group (CG). The IG received an 8-week comprehensive intervention integrating educational content and music therapy, while the CG received routine care. Results showed that the family support level of the IG continued to improve significantly during the intervention period—with the high music participation subgroup showing a more pronounced enhancement—and the patients’ rehabilitation status (including rehabilitation progress, treatment adherence, and complication incidence) was notably superior to that of the CG. Questionnaire surveys, in-depth interviews, medical record reviews, and physiological indicator tests (salivary cortisol) collectively confirmed the positive effects of the intervention, particularly the independent value of music therapy in relieving emotional stress and strengthening emotional bonds. The research concludes that educational interventions integrating music therapy can effectively enhance the multi-dimensional family support for cancer patients through the synergistic effect of “ability building (educational modules) + emotional motivation (music modules)” and promote their rehabilitation, providing strong evidence and practical support for the clinical application of such integrated intervention programs.

Group-based aerobic exercise and psychological resilience in female cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial

Bei Guan — 2026-02-25

Background: Female cancer survivors often experience persistent psychological distress and social functioning impairments. This study evaluated the efficacy of a group-based aerobic fitness program for enhancing psychological resilience and social functioning in this population. Methods: A stratified randomized controlled trial enrolled 128 female cancer survivors (aged 18–65 years) who completed primary treatment within 3 years. Participants were randomly allocated to either a 12-week group-based aerobic fitness program (n = 64) or a control group (n = 64) receiving comprehensive educational materials and structured contact. Primary outcomes included psychological resilience (CD-RISC-25) and social functioning (MOS-SSS, EORTC QLQ-C30), assessed by blinded evaluators at baseline, post-intervention, and 24-week follow-up. Analysis employed mixed-effects linear modeling with Benjamini-Hochberg correction for multiple comparisons. Results: The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in psychological resilience (mean change: 12.6 points vs. 1.2 points in controls, P < 0.001, d = 0.89) and social functioning (14.8 points vs. 2.3 points, P < 0.001). Enhanced social functioning mediated 42% of the intervention effect on resilience, with benefits maintained at follow-up. Greater improvements were observed in breast cancer survivors, those 6–12 months post-treatment, and participants with higher attendance rates. Conclusion: A structured group-based aerobic fitness program significantly enhances and maintains psychological resilience and social functioning among female cancer survivors, supporting the integration of group exercise into standard survivorship care.

Esketamine-assisted low-opioid anesthesia reduces postoperative anxiety and depression in gastric cancer laparoscopic surgery: A mental health-focused analysis

Wenlong Xie — 2026-02-26

Background: Patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer are at high risk for postoperative anxiety and depression, which can significantly impact recovery and quality of life. Opioid-based anesthesia, while effective for pain control, may contribute to emotional dysregulation and mood disturbances. This study explores the effects of an esketamine combined with low-opioid anesthesia regimen on postoperative mental health outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer. Objective: To evaluate the impacts of this regimen on postoperative anxiety and depression levels, alongside blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory circulation, and overall emotional well-being. Methods: A total of 246 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer were randomly divided into two groups: the conventional anesthesia group (n = 123) and the esketamine group (n = 123). Vital signs (SBP, DBP, HR, SpO2) were compared at four time points (T0-T3). The dosages of sufentanil and remifentanil, and PCIA drug additional administration rates were compared, along with anxiety and depression levels assessed by SAS and SDS at multiple postoperative time points to track emotional recovery. Results: Significant differences were found in SBP, DBP, HR, SpO2, SAS, and SDS between the two groups (P < 0.05). The esketamine group showed higher vital signs at T1–T3 and consistently lower SAS and SDS scores postoperatively. Lower opioid dosages and PCIA drug additional administration rates were observed in the esketamine group (P < 0.05). Most notably, the esketamine group demonstrated a significantly more favorable trajectory in anxiety and depression recovery. Conclusion: Esketamine-assisted low-opioid anesthesia not only reduces opioid dosage and stabilizes vital signs but also provides a significant mental health benefit by effectively mitigating postoperative anxiety and depression in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery. This highlights its dual role in supporting both physical and psychological recovery.

Effects of inferior vena cava filter implantation on anxiety and clinical outcomes in patients with malignancy-associated lower extremity deep vein thrombosis

Jian Jiang — 2026-02-26

Background: The incidence of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (LEDVT) in patients with malignant tumors is relatively high, which brings a significant economic burden and affects prognosis. The use of inferior vena cava (IVC) filter implantation in these patients provides a new approach to optimize disease treatment. Aim: To analyze the impact of IVC filter implantation on the anxiety levels and complications in patients with malignant tumors and LEDVT. Methods: A total of 90 eligible cases treated in our hospital from February 2021 to October 2023 were selected and randomly divided into a control group and an observation group, each with 45 cases, using the random number table method. The control group was treated with edoxaban, while the observation group was treated with a combination of IVC filter implantation. The levels of anxiety, lower limb circumference, thrombus removal effect, hematological indicators, and the incidence of treatment-related complications in the two groups were compared. In addition to routine clinical indicators, standardized psychometric instruments were used to quantitatively assess anxiety levels before and after treatment. Changes in psychological status were compared between groups alongside somatic and hematological outcomes. Results: After treatment, the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05); there were significant differences in the intergroup, time, and interaction effects on the lower limb healthy-affected side circumference difference after treatment (P < 0.05), and the observation group had a lower limb healthy-affected side circumference difference than the control group at 1 week after treatment and at discharge (P < 0.05); the thrombus removal success rate in the observation group was 88.89%, significantly higher than the 71.11% in the control group (P < 0.05); after treatment, the improvement in D-dimer (D-D) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen (FIB), and thrombin time (TT) in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05); there was no significant difference in the incidence of treatment-related complications between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: IVC filter implantation can alleviate the anxiety of patients with malignant tumors and LEDVT, improve the effect of thrombus removal, and will not significantly increase the risk of complications. It is worth promoting in clinical practice.

Systematic review and network meta-analysis of the improvement effect of psychological intervention on anxiety in patients with breast cancer

Yan Peng — 2026-02-26

Objective: To analyze the improvement effect of anxiety state in breast cancer patients with malignant tumor after psychological intervention based on systematic review and network Meta-analysis. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTS) on the effect of psychological intervention on anxiety of breast cancer patients were collected from CNKI, Wanfang database, VIP database and foreign Pubmed database, and the retrieval period was from the establishment of the database to 30 November 2025. The quality of the included studies was evaluated by Cochrane bias risk assessment tool. python software was used for network Meta-analysis. Results: A total of 11 studies involving 828 patients were included in this study, with 427 patients in the observation group and 401 patients in the control group. A total of 7 interventions were involved, including usual care, computerized cognitive behavioral therapy, Internet cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, positive psychological intervention based on PERMA model, acceptance and commitment therapy, and cognitive behavioral group therapy. Among them, the evaluation of anxiety improvement involved 12 studies, depression improvement involved 12 studies, and quality of life improvement involved 6 studies. The results of network Meta-analysis showed that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was the best psychological intervention to improve anxiety, depression and quality of life in breast cancer patients, and the SUCRA probability was 100.00%. Conclusion: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy has the best effect on improving anxiety, depression and quality of life in breast cancer patients, which can be prioritized for application.

Effects of breathing rhythm–based exercise intervention on perceived stress and emotion regulation in cancer patients

Junyan Fu — 2026-02-27

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a breathing rhythm-based exercise intervention on perceived stress and emotion regulation in cancer patients. Two hundred participants were randomized to either an 8-week structured breathing intervention or attention-matched control condition. Results demonstrated significant improvements in the intervention group compared to controls on perceived stress (Cohen’s d = 0.87), emotion regulation capacity (d = 0.76), and physiological parameters including heart rate variability (d = 0.93) and cortisol profiles. Mediation analyses revealed that improved emotion regulation accounted for 41.8% of the intervention’s effect on stress reduction. Benefits were largely maintained at 3-month and 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes showed significant improvements in quality of life, fatigue, and sleep quality. Intervention efficacy was moderated by cancer type and treatment status, with stronger effects observed in breast and lung cancer patients and those who had completed primary treatment. These findings suggest that breathing rhythm-based exercises represent an effective, accessible, and sustainable approach for reducing psychological distress and enhancing emotion regulation in cancer patients, operating through both psychological and physiological pathways.

Psychological factors and immune–inflammatory mechanisms in cancer-related organ transplantation: Toward a multimodal integrative framework

Guozhen Chen — 2026-02-03

Cancer patients who undergo organ transplantation after oncologic treatment experience complex biological and psychological stressors that jointly influence immune recovery and graft function. Psychological distress—particularly anxiety and depression—activates neuroendocrine and autonomic pathways that modulate cytokine release, inflammation, and immune tolerance. Evidence from psycho-oncology and transplantation studies demonstrates that heightened distress and low resilience correlate with increased interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-α, and C-reactive protein levels, impaired cellular immunity, and delayed post-operative recovery. This review integrates current findings from psychoneuroimmunology, transplantation medicine, and behavioural oncology to elucidate how donor characteristics, perfusion parameters, and psychosocial factors interact to shape outcomes in cancer-related transplantation. Routine psychological assessment using validated instruments such as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), together with early interventions—cognitive-behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and resilience training—may reduce inflammatory activity and improve recovery trajectories. Furthermore, emerging multimodal and machine-learning-assisted analytic approaches provide opportunities for personalised psychosocial care and risk stratification. Understanding these psych neuroimmune interactions supports the development of integrative, precision-based rehabilitation strategies within the scope of psycho-oncology.

Comparison of the intervention effects of different Tai Chi training intensities on fatigue-insomnia-depression triad in cancer patients: A bibliometric analysis review

Yu Sun — 2026-02-05

This study used a dual method of bibliometric analysis and clinical evidence integration to systematically explore the intervention effect of different training intensities of Tai Chi on fatigue-insomnia-depression triad (FSD) in cancer patients and the current status of research. By analyzing 41 high-intensity literatures from 2004 to 2024 in the Web of Science database, an intensity stratification model based on the ACSM standard was constructed (low intensity <3 MET, medium intensity 4-6 MET, high intensity > 7 MET). The study confirmed that the standardized mean difference (SMD) of moderate-intensity Tai Chi on FSD triad was 0.57, significantly better than low intensity (SMD = 0.22), and its mechanism was related to the reconstruction of HPA axis function (recovery to 89% of healthy controls) and a 39.6%–43.2% decrease in inflammatory factors IL-6/TNF-α; however, high-intensity training may weaken the benefits of sleep (PSQI score increased). There are key gaps in current research, such as 78.3% of the intensity was not quantified and the evidence for critically ill patients (ECOG ≥ 2) accounted for only 5.3%. The study finally proposed to construct a “movement-intention” dual-axis classification framework, and suggested conducting a multi-center intensity-stratified RCT and integrating biomarker monitoring to provide evidence-based decision support for Tai Chi’s precise intervention in FSD.

The role of pickleball doubles training in promoting post-traumatic growth and social support network in lung cancer survivors in a sports town environment

Hui Sun — 2026-02-10

Lung cancer is the malignant tumor with the highest morbidity and mortality worldwide, and survivors frequently experience chronic physical symptoms and psychological trauma that persist long after treatment. These challenges substantially impair quality of life and complicate long-term rehabilitation. Among them, 33%–45% of survivors develop clinical-grade anxiety or depression, the incidence of fear of recurrence reaches 62%, and approximately 46% withdraw from their original social networks due to changes in body image and decreased activity tolerance. Addressing both psychological adaptation and social reintegration therefore represents a critical unmet need in lung cancer survivorship care. This study aimed to synthesize and map existing evidence on the role of pickleball doubles training, situated within a sports town environment, in promoting post-traumatic growth (PTG) and strengthening social support networks among lung cancer survivors. A scoping review combined with bibliometric analysis was conducted using literature published between 2010 and 2024 and indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. The review identified multidisciplinary research spanning oncology, exercise science, psychology, and community health, with increasing scholarly attention in recent years. The synthesized findings suggest that the integration of a health-oriented sports town environment with a low-intensity, highly interactive exercise modality may exert synergistic benefits by supporting psychological growth, fostering interpersonal connection, and facilitating social participation. Although direct empirical evidence specific to pickleball remains limited, the conceptual framework emerging from this review highlights its potential value as a rehabilitation-oriented, socially engaging physical activity. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for future intervention studies and support the development of community-based, psychosocial rehabilitation strategies for lung cancer survivors.

Family and school support and physical activity behaviour in childhood cancer survivors: A meta-analytic review from a social ecological perspective

Mengjin Yao — 2026-02-11

Physical activity is increasingly recognised as an important component of survivorship care for childhood cancer survivors, yet participation levels often remain low following treatment. Social ecological frameworks suggest that family, peer, and school environments may influence physical activity behaviour; however, quantitative synthesis of this evidence remains limited. This study aimed to systematically review and meta-analytically synthesise available quantitative evidence on the association between family, parental, peer, and school-related support and physical activity behaviour among childhood cancer survivors. A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Observational and interventional studies examining social support contexts in relation to physical activity outcomes among survivors aged ≤21 years were eligible for inclusion. Quantitative synthesis was restricted to methodologically comparable association-based studies. Pearson correlation coefficients and odds ratios were extracted or derived and synthesised using random-effects models. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Three observational studies met the criteria for quantitative synthesis. Two studies examining family or parental support reported positive associations with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), yielding a pooled correlation coefficient of r = 0.42 (95% CI 0.11–0.65). One large cross-sectional study further demonstrated that higher parental support was associated with a greater likelihood of MVPA participation (OR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.88–0.96). Overall methodological quality was rated as moderate, with limitations primarily related to cross-sectional study designs and residual confounding. These findings indicate that family and parental support are positively associated with physical activity behaviour among childhood cancer survivors; however, the limited number of studies and observational nature of the evidence preclude causal inference. Future longitudinal and intervention studies that explicitly integrate family- and peer-based support mechanisms are needed to inform socially grounded physical activity promotion strategies in survivorship care.

Correction: Hou et al. Rapid rehabilitation nursing with early enteral nutrition improves psychological and clinical recovery after pancreatic cancer surgery. Psycho-Oncologie. 2025; 19(4): 4437.

Tong Hou — 2026-02-24

In the original publication [1], there was an error in the authors’ affiliation information.

The wrong affiliation is:

Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an, Jiangsu 223300, China.

It should be updated to:

Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The Affiliated Huai’an No. 1 People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai’an, Jiangsu 223300, China.