Skeletal muscle health in childhood cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at risk of long-term skeletal muscle deficits following intensive therapies during critical periods of growth. This review aimed to synthesize approaches for assessing muscle quantity, quality, and function in CCS and to quantify deficits relative to healthy peers.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science from inception to June 2024, with an update in November 2025. Studies including CCS who had completed cancer treatment and reported measures of muscle quantity, quality, or physical function were eligible. A three-level mixed-effects model meta-analysis was conducted. Associations between muscle quantity and function and potential moderators were tested using meta-regres

SUBMITTER: Markarian AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12901291 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature