Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42488501›Full record

ArticleOncology reviews2026

Nature-based physical activity in breast cancer survivors: a new frontier in supportive care.

Giuditta Carretti, Mirko Manetti, Mirca Marini

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article 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

3 authors.

Giuditta CarrettiSection of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Mirko ManettiSection of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
Mirca MariniSection of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) survivors frequently experience long-term physical and psychosocial sequelae following treatment, including cancer-related fatigue, cardiovascular dysfunction, sarcopenia, sleep disturbances, and emotional distress, which can significantly affect quality of life. Structured physical activity is widely recognized as a key component of supportive oncology care and has demonstrated benefits in improving physical function, psychological wellbeing, and survival outcomes. However, adherence to exercise recommendations remains suboptimal in cancer patients mostly due to treatment-related symptoms, motivational barriers, and limited access to tailored supervised programs. Though the field remains relatively underexplored within exercise oncology, nature-based physical activity (NBPA), defined as exercise performed in natural environments, is emerging as a promising complementary approach that integrates the physiological benefits of physical exercise with the restorative effects of nature exposure. Growing evidence indicates that natural settings can support stress reduction, autonomic regulation, immune function, and psychological resilience, potentially enhancing the overall benefits of physical activity. Several effects have been documented in broader populations and, to a lesser degree, among cancer survivors, while direct evidence specifically addressing BC survivors remains limited. Therefore, many of the proposed psychophysiological mechanisms should currently be regarded as plausible and biologically supported hypotheses requiring further validation through dedicated clinical studies. This perspective paper synthesizes current evidence on the role of NBPA in BC survivorship by discussing the psychophysiological mechanisms underlying health effects of nature exposure in this vulnerable population and the main investigated outdoor activities, including walking and Nordic walking, aquatic disciplines, green mind-body practices, and forest-based programs. Finally, the article highlights research gaps and future directions aiming at providing concrete hints to stably integrate nature-based interventions into multidisciplinary survivorship care pathways addressing BC survivors.

Indexed as

breast cancer survivorshipexercise oncologygreen prescriptionnature-based interventionsoutdoor physical activitypsychophysiological healthquality of lifesupportive cancer care

Identifiers

PMID42488501
PMCPMC13388476

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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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.