#ExerciseTherapy

In a remarkable development that could transform cancer care worldwide, a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has revealed that structured exercise can improve cancer survival by an astounding 37%—a benefit rivaling many advanced medicines and technological breakthroughs. Unlike complex new drugs or costly therapies, this intervention centers on a surprisingly simple remedy: regular, supervised physical activity.

This finding carries profound significance for Thai cancer patients and caregivers, as it highlights a practical step to improve long-term outcomes without imposing high costs or requiring state-of-the-art equipment. As cancer survival rates improve across Thailand—now over 50% for many types due to earlier detection and better treatments—there is growing demand for evidence-based strategies that empower survivors to take charge of their health and prevent recurrence (Cancer in Thailand). The latest research suggests exercise might be one of the most potent, yet underutilized, tools available.

Recent findings underscore the critical role of exercise in slowing the progression and managing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, according to a 2024 analysis in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. Contrary to earlier beliefs that medication alone is central to the management of Parkinson’s, a growing body of research highlights how regular, vigorous physical activity may significantly reduce both the severity and speed of symptom progression. For Thai readers—with the nation’s ageing society and increased diagnosis of chronic conditions—these findings offer actionable hope and clear guidelines for living with and managing the disease.

The question of whether people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also called myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), should engage in physical exercise remains a subject of intense discussion in the medical community. Recent studies confirm that while carefully managed exercise can benefit some individuals living with CFS, an overly aggressive or poorly supervised approach risks worsening symptoms—a dilemma with high relevance for patients and clinicians in Thailand and worldwide.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a debilitating condition characterised by overwhelming fatigue that does not improve with rest and is often accompanied by cognitive issues, sleep disturbances, pain, and the hallmark symptom known as post-exertional malaise (PEM), where physical or mental activity provokes a sharp worsening in symptoms, sometimes days after the exertion. According to recent overviews, including the extensive summary on Wikipedia, CFS affects millions globally and is increasingly recognised as a sequela of post-viral illnesses, including long COVID, making up-to-date recommendations especially timely.

A recent wave of research is shining a spotlight on an often-overlooked topic: the sexual health and well-being of breast cancer survivors. Studies indicate that specific actions—such as participation in exercise-based therapy, pelvic floor muscle training, and integrated wellness programs—can significantly improve sexual health and overall quality of life for former patients. With breast cancer remaining the most common cancer among Thai women, these findings provide crucial hope and actionable pathways to recovery and fulfillment beyond cancer.

Thai readers searching for new hope in the battle against recurrent low back pain may be encouraged by a recent international study validating the Canali Postural Method (CPM), a personalized exercise technique backed by solid science. A collaborative team from Italy’s National Research Council and Temple University in the US published their findings in the respected journal Healthcare, demonstrating that CPM offers significantly greater pain relief and functional recovery than conventional exercise programs for people with non-specific low back pain—a condition that remains a leading cause of disability both globally and in Thailand.