What is the role of physical exercise after surgery for gastric cancer? A scoping review

The overall role of physical exercise (PE) in addressing the disabling effects of gastric cancer (GC) after surgery remains uncertain. This scoping review (ScR) aims to systematically collect, map, and present the current evidence on studies reporting data on PE in individuals with GC. This ScR followed the 2020 recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute Methodological Guidance and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) up to January 2024. Original studies were identified, and findings were presented both numerically and thematically. Out of 1115 articles initially identified, 9 studies met the inclusion criteria. The number of publications on this topic has increased over time, with most studies conducted in Western countries. Of the included studies, 6 (66.7%) were primary research articles, while 3 (33.3%) were systematic reviews. The overall sample size comprised 226 individuals, with a mean age of 61 ± 5.3 years. The studies consistently reported a positive impact of PE in both inpatient and outpatient settings. However, significant heterogeneity was observed in the types and characteristics of PE, outcome measures, and reference populations. Physiotherapists were the primary healthcare professionals involved in delivering care. This review highlights the need for further high-quality studies dedicated to investigating the role of PE after surgery for GC. In addition, multidisciplinary rehabilitation is recommended to address the complex needs of this patient population.