Palliative treatment in cancer patients from a physiotherapeutic perspective: systematic review

Introduction: Cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, generating a profound impact on those who suffer from it, especially in advanced stages. In this context, physical therapy, as an integral part of palliative care, gains relevance by mitigating physical and emotional symptoms that significantly affect patients' quality of life.Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, consulting recognized databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus. Studies from 2015 to 2025 that specifically addressed physical therapy interventions in palliative cancer patients were selected, assessing their methodological quality using validated tools such as RoB 2, NOS, and AMSTAR-2. Results: Of 130 initially identified articles, 14 publications were ultimately included, demonstrating that active physical therapy interventions, combined with manual therapy and nutritional support, significantly improve patient functionality, autonomy, and overall well-being. Conclusions: Physiotherapy is positioned as an essential intervention in palliative care for cancer patients, demonstrating positive effects in reducing fatigue, pain, and dyspnea, as well as promoting emotional and social well-being. Its interdisciplinary integration, adapted to the clinical context and local resources, is key to maximizing the patient's quality of life in their final stages of life.