Objective: Assess the effectiveness of physical therapy, including supervised physical exercise for body mass index (BMI) restoration; improving muscle strength and the psychological, behavioural, cognitive symptoms and quality of life in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). Methods: A Systematic Review (SR) was conducted in the following scientific databases: Medline, PubMed, PEDro, PsychInfo, Cochrane Library plus, Nursing and Allied Health database, Scopus and Web of Science databases, from inception until November 2021. An assessment of the risk of bias and the certainty of evidence across studies was conducted. Articles were eligible if they followed randomized and non-randomized control trial designs with treatments based on physical therapy or exercise or physical activity in AN patients. Results: 496 records were screened, and after eligibility assessment, 6 studies from 8 articles were finally analysed. The studies, involving 176 AN patient (85.02% of patients), reported improvements in muscle strength, eating behaviour, eating attitude, mood and quality of life. Three studies included nutritional co-interventions and four studies included psychological therapy. None of the studies reported adverse effects. Conclusions: In two of the RCTs included in this SR, strength training and high intensity resistance improved the muscle strength of patients with AN. In addition, in two RCTs, improvements were observed in patients’ attitudes towards their bodies after basic body awareness therapy or after full body massage and instruction to relax. In addition, quality of life improved in two studies, with stretching, isometrics, endurance cardiovascular and muscular exercising.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a mental health pathology with severe somatic consequences that increase the vital risk. The collateral effects by several undernourishment has been studied but the autonomy of within a physical activity context and muscle strength research are insufficient. The purpose of the study is to assess the effect of the adapted exercise physiotherapy program on AN inpatients to improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL), body mass index (BMI), cardiorespiratory endurance (CRE), peak-expiratory-flow (PEF), and both, muscle and manual strength. 26 females hospitalized for AN, severely malnourished (mean age 22.21, and mean BMI 15.01), were divided into two groups: experimental treatment (EG) and control (CG). The treatment sessions were administered 3 days/week, for 4 weeks (including active and counter-resistance mobilizations of the limbs and trunk and breathing exercises). There was a significant group-time interaction in BMI [F = 2.401, p = 0.04, η2 = 0.008], HRQOL [F = 10.877, p < 0.05, η2 = 0.097], PEF [F = 5.50, p = 0.0295, η2 = 0.20], the muscular strength of triceps brachii [F = 4.417, p = 0.005, η2 = 0.038], thumb opposition [F = 3.595, p = 0.015, η2 = 0.035] and quadriceps [F = 3.739, p = 0.013, η2 = 0.028]. Also showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) on time in CRE, manual strength, and muscular strength (left and right). Following a 4-week treatment, the adapted physiotherapy program demonstrated significant improvements among patients with severe undernutrition due to AN.

Objective: The aim of this study is to understand the image, perception, and beliefs regarding the role of the physiotherapist in the field of mental health physiotherapy, both among the professional community and other multidisciplinary teams. Methods: An observational phenomenological qualitative study through the administration of an ad hoc survey comprising both categorical and open-ended as well as quantitative questions was conducted. Results: A total of 368 responses were analysed. The participants comprised 78.4% women with a mean age of 37.5, an average professional experience of 14.33 years, and 88.3% practicing physical therapists. From the qualitative analysis conducted, three categories emerged in relation to the obtained responses: (a) functions with codes of “improving quality of life” and “intervening in physical pathologies”; (b) objectives with codes of “Improving quality of life”, “Intervening in physical pathologies”, “Functional rehabilitation”, “Health promotion”, and “Intervening in mental disorders”; and (c) image with codes “unfamiliarity”, “holistic vision”, “necessity”, and “importance”. Regarding the tools, the findings highlight a strong focus on physical exercise interventions due to their well-established benefits. Cognitive strategies like therapeutic relationships and cognitive–behavioural techniques were also prominent. Additionally, embodiment techniques involving movement, relaxation, breathing, and voice usage were notable. Lastly, manual therapy and physical agents formed another distinct category. Conclusions: The vision and role of this professional profile were unknown to the respondents. Despite being perceived as having a holistic view of the patient and being considered an essential need, the actual image remains vague. However, there is significant interest, indicating a promising future, although the lack of specialized training is noted. Therefore, the need for specialized education and awareness campaigns among professionals in the mental health field is highlighted.

BACKGROUND Background: The growing number of cancer survivors experiencing persistent physical, psychological, and social limitations is placing increasing pressure on health care systems and this requires more structured, biopsychosocial approaches to care. Oncological physiotherapy plays a key role within multidisciplinary teams; however, assessment practices remain heterogeneous, with limited standardization, unclear clinical applicability, and a lack of consensus on appropriate measurement instruments despite existing conceptual frameworks. OBJECTIVE Objective: This study aims to develop an evidence-informed, consensus-based framework (IN-GUIDE) for the selection, prioritization, and implementation of assessment instruments in oncological physiotherapy, integrating psychometric and clinimetric evidence with clinical applicability to support measurement-based care. METHODS Methods: A multiphase, sequential mixed-methods design will be used. First, a systematic review will be conducted following PRISMA guidelines to identify assessment instruments relevant to oncological physiotherapy with methodological quality, measurement properties, and level of evidence appraised using COSMIN standards. Eligible instruments include patient-reported, clinician-reported, and performance-based outcome measures. This review protocol was previously registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024520846). Second, a three-round electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) process will be conducted via a secure REDCap platform. A multidisciplinary expert panel will evaluate instruments on the basis of an integrated assessment of methodological quality, level of evidence, clinical relevance, and feasibility. Instruments will be organized into eight predefined domains. Structured feedback (median, interquartile range, and percentage agreement) will be provided between rounds. Consensus will be defined a priori as ≥75% agreement. RESULTS Expected results: Preparatory work, including framework development, has been ongoing since late 2024. The systematic review phase began at the end of 2025 and is currently ongoing, with completion expected in 2026. The Delphi consensus process will follow, with the final results anticipated by the beginning of 2027. CONCLUSIONS Conclusions: The IN-GUIDE framework is expected to support standardized, feasible, and clinically applicable assessments in oncological physiotherapy, facilitating measurement-based care, improving clinical decision-making, and promoting integration across multidisciplinary cancer care. CLINICALTRIAL PROSPERO CRD42024520846; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024520846