Rehabilitation in oncology

Abstract

Current oncology and oncohematology treatment methods allow more patients to successfully survive the disease. However, afterwards, most survivors have to deal with a wide range of symptoms and side effects and need rehabilitation. Personalized rehabilitation programs for such patients employ various methods of physical medicine. Physical activity is an important component of the cancer patients' treatment and rehabilitation. It improves their functional health, specifically — physical performance, cognitive function, psychological health, and makes the quality of their lives better. Physical activity increases muscle strength, alleviates the radiation and chemotherapy side effects and relieves fatigue. Personalized exercise programs are employed to monitor patient's condition and exercise tolerance. Physical and cognitive rehabilitative interventions are performed simultaneously as part of interdisciplinary rehabilitative care, so this approach can have a synergistic effect. It is necessary to factor in contraindications when prescribing regular physical activity, exercise and other methods of rehabilitation, otherwise they can lead to clinical complications.