Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41907677›Full record

ReviewOncology reviews2026

How recreational therapies impact physiological and psychosocial outcomes in cancer patients: a review.

Marika D'Oria, Calogero Casà, Cristina Cenci, Domenico Fusco, Beatrice Di Capua, Edoardo Vergani, Laura Monti, Anna Cardillo, Francesco Miccichè, Emilio Bria and 4 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Oncology reviews, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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

14 authors.

Marika D'OriaCenter of Excellence in Oncology, Ospedale Isola Tiberina - Gemelli Isola, Rome, Italy.
Calogero CasàRadiotherapy Unit, Center of Excellence in Oncology, Ospedale Isola Tiberina - Gemelli Isola, Rome, Italy.
Cristina CenciDigital Narrative Medicine (DNM s.r.l.), Rome, Italy.
Domenico FuscoEmergency Unity, Urgency Medicine and Internal Medicine, Ospedale Isola Tiberina - Gemelli Isola, Rome, Italy.
Beatrice Di CapuaCenter of Excellence in Oncology, Ospedale Isola Tiberina - Gemelli Isola, Rome, Italy.
Edoardo VerganiRadiotherapy Unit, Center of Excellence in Oncology, Ospedale Isola Tiberina - Gemelli Isola, Rome, Italy.
Laura MontiPsychoncology Unit, Center of Excellence in Oncology, Ospedale Isola Tiberina - Gemelli Isola, Rome, Italy.
Anna CardilloMedical Oncology Unit, Center of Excellence in Oncology, Ospedale Isola Tiberina - Gemelli Isola, Rome, Italy.
Francesco MiccichèRadiotherapy Unit, Center of Excellence in Oncology, Ospedale Isola Tiberina - Gemelli Isola, Rome, Italy.
Emilio BriaMedical Oncology Unit, Center of Excellence in Oncology, Ospedale Isola Tiberina - Gemelli Isola, Rome, Italy.
Luca TagliaferriOncological Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Oncological Radiotherapy, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Maria Antonietta GambacortaOncological Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Oncological Radiotherapy, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Giampaolo TortoraDepartment of Medicine and Translational Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Vincenzo ValentiniCenter of Excellence in Oncology, Ospedale Isola Tiberina - Gemelli Isola, Rome, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Recreational Therapies (RecT) (e.g., art, dance, music, yoga, aromatherapy, Virtual Reality) are non-invasive interventions capable of enhancing the biopsychosocial wellbeing in patients, targeted to regenerate the existential dimensions of illness experience. While widely appreciated for their positive impact on quality of life, the specific biological and psychological mechanisms through which RecT exert their benefits remain underexplored in oncology. This review maps and critically discusses current evidence on the clinical impact of RecT across various stages of cancer and types of interventions, with a particular focus on targeted outcomes such as cortisol modulation, heart rate regulation, immune response, depression, anxiety, coping skills, and social support. Moreover, the review highlights how RecT may contribute to the mitigation of treatment-related side effects, including nausea, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. By synthesizing recent findings, we provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the role of RecT as integrated, evidence-informed components for oncology rehabilitation during and after therapy. This work aims to support the design of more personalized and effective supportive care strategies that resonate with patients' values and enhance treatment adherence, resilience, and overall health.

Indexed as

integrative careoncologyphysiological biomarkerpsychosocial outcomerecreational therapy

Identifiers

PMID41907677
PMCPMC13021588

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.