Does Telerehabilitation Really Improve the Lives of Cancer Patients?
People affected by cancer often see their daily lives disrupted by fatigue, a decline in physical abilities, and impaired well-being. However, accessing specialized rehabilitation programs remains difficult for many due to geographical, financial, or organizational constraints. Telerehabilitation, which involves offering remote rehabilitation sessions via digital tools, presents itself as an accessible and adaptable solution.
A recent analysis of thirteen international studies, focusing on patients with various cancers such as breast, lung, or blood cancers, shows that this approach brings real benefits. The most effective programs are those that combine live follow-up via videoconferencing with personalized exercises. Participants thus see significant improvements in their endurance, muscle strength, and walking ability. Fatigue, often very present in people undergoing treatment, also decreases notably.
On the other hand, the effects on pain and overall quality of life are more variable. Some studies report a slight reduction in pain, particularly after surgery or during intensive treatments, but the results depend heavily on the tools used to measure these parameters. Quality of life improves mainly in physical aspects, such as the ability to perform daily activities, but the benefits on psychological or social well-being remain uneven.
Programs that rely solely on remote advice, without direct interaction with a professional, show less convincing results. They can help maintain a certain level of activity, but their impact on physical recovery is limited. Conversely, real-time supervised sessions, where the patient receives immediate feedback, offer the best results.
Another advantage of telerehabilitation is its accessibility. Patients do not need to travel, which reduces logistical and financial constraints. The tools used, such as mobile applications or online platforms, also allow for regular follow-up and adaptation of exercises based on the patient’s health status. Adherence to these programs is generally good, especially when they are supervised by professionals, and no serious adverse effects have been reported in the analyzed studies.
However, this approach is not suitable for everyone. People who are not familiar with digital tools or those who do not have access to a stable internet connection may encounter difficulties. Additionally, programs must be designed to meet the specific needs of each patient, taking into account their type of cancer, stage of treatment, and physical abilities.
In summary, telerehabilitation proves to be a safe and useful method for helping cancer patients regain better physical fitness and reduce their fatigue. Its effectiveness largely depends on the quality of follow-up and interaction with healthcare professionals. To maximize its benefits, it is essential to combine supervised sessions with appropriate digital tools, while ensuring that every patient can easily access them.
Information and Sources
Scientific Reference
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40487-026-00431-0
Title: Telerehabilitation for Pain, Function, and Quality of Life in Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review
Journal: Oncology and Therapy
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Authors: Leidy Tatiana Ordoñez-Mora; Diana Carolina Urrea-Arango; Juan Carlos Avila-Valencia; José Luis Estela-Zape; Marco Antonio Morales-Osorio; María Fernanda Serna-Orozco