Medical Bulletin 17/March/2026

Here are the top medical news for today:

Exercise During Chemotherapy May Support Physical and Cognitive Health, Study Finds

A new nationwide study suggests that a structured exercise program during chemotherapy may help cancer patients stay physically active and mentally sharper. The research, led by scientists at the University of Rochester’s Wilmot Cancer Institute, was published in the JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Many patients undergoing Chemotherapy experience cognitive difficulties commonly known as Chemo Brain, which includes symptoms such as brain fog, memory problems, and trouble with daily tasks like managing medications or finances. Up to 75% of cancer patients report these cognitive issues during treatment.

To address this problem, researchers evaluated a home-based exercise program called EXCAP (Exercise for Cancer Patients). The program combines progressive walking with resistance-band exercises and is designed to be low-cost, safe, and tailored to each patient’s physical ability.

The phase 3 clinical trial involved nearly 700 patients from 20 community oncology clinics across the United States who were receiving chemotherapy for the first time for various cancers. Participants were randomly assigned either to standard care without exercise or to a six-week exercise program while undergoing treatment. All participants tracked their daily steps and exercise activity.

Before treatment, most participants averaged around 4,000 to 4,500 steps per day. During chemotherapy, patients who followed the exercise prescription were generally able to maintain their usual walking levels. In contrast, those receiving standard care reduced their daily steps by about 53%.

Patients in the exercise group also reported better cognitive functioning and felt mentally sharper. The benefits were particularly noticeable in individuals receiving chemotherapy every two weeks.

These findings suggest that simple home-based physical activity could become an important supportive care strategy during cancer treatment.

REFERENCE: Mustian, K. M., et al. (2026). Effects of Exercise on Cognitive Impairment in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Multicenter Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. DOI: 10.6004/jnccn.2025.7118. https://jnccn.org/view/journals/jnccn/24/3/article-p91.xml

Prebiotic Fiber Supplement Linked to Reduced Pain in Knee Osteoarthritis: Study

A new clinical trial suggests that improving gut health may help relieve symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis, a common condition that causes chronic joint pain and reduced mobility in older adults. The study, led by researchers at the University of Nottingham, found that a daily prebiotic fiber supplement significantly reduced pain and improved physical function. The findings were published in the Nutrients.

The research focused on Inulin, a natural dietary fiber found in foods such as chicory root and Jerusalem artichokes. Inulin acts as a prebiotic, meaning it feeds beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome. These microbes produce compounds called short-chain fatty acids, particularly Butyrate, which can influence inflammation and pain signaling in the body.

The six-week INSPIRE Clinical Trial involved 117 adults with knee osteoarthritis. Participants were divided into four groups: inulin supplementation, digital physiotherapy-supported exercise, a combination of both treatments, or a placebo. Researchers evaluated pain levels, grip strength, and sensitivity to pain.

Both inulin and physiotherapy independently reduced knee pain. However, participants taking inulin experienced additional benefits. They showed improved grip strength and lower pain sensitivity, suggesting possible effects on how the nervous system processes pain. Scientists also observed increased levels of Glucagon Like Peptide 1 (GLP-1), a hormone produced in the gut that has been linked to muscle function and pain regulation.

Another notable finding was the difference in adherence. Only 3.6% of participants in the inulin group dropped out of the study, compared with 21% in the physiotherapy group.

Overall, the study highlights a potential gut-muscle-pain connection, suggesting that targeting the gut microbiome through dietary fiber could become a promising complementary strategy for managing osteoarthritis symptoms.

REFERENCE: Kouraki, A., et al. (2026). Effect of Prebiotic Supplementation With and Without Physiotherapy on Pain and Pain Sensitivity in People with Knee Osteoarthritis. Nutrients. DOI: 10.3390/nu18050714. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/5/714

Vitamin D Study Reveals Unexpected Clue About Long COVID Risk

A large clinical trial suggests that high-dose Vitamin D supplements do not reduce the severity of COVID-19, but they may have a potential role in lowering the risk of Long COVID. The findings come from research led by scientists at Mass General Brigham and were published in The Journal of Nutrition.

Researchers conducted the Vitamin D for COVID-19 (VIVID) Trial to better understand whether vitamin D supplementation could influence infection outcomes. Vitamin D is widely known for supporting immune function, but previous studies examining its role in COVID-19 have produced mixed results.

The trial involved 1,747 adults who had recently tested positive for COVID-19 and 277 of their household contacts. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either vitamin D3 supplements or a placebo for four weeks. The treatment group took high doses of Vitamin D3, starting with 9,600 IU per day for the first two days followed by 3,200 IU daily.

Results showed that vitamin D supplementation did not significantly reduce hospitalization rates, symptom severity, or healthcare visits related to COVID-19. It also did not lower the likelihood that household contacts would become infected.

However, researchers observed a potential signal suggesting vitamin D might influence long-term outcomes. Among participants who closely followed the supplementation regimen, about 21% reported lingering symptoms eight weeks after infection, compared with 25% in the placebo group. These symptoms included fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive issues commonly associated with long COVID.

Although the difference was only borderline statistically significant, scientists believe the results justify further investigation. Larger studies are needed to determine whether long-term vitamin D supplementation could help reduce the risk or severity of persistent symptoms following COVID-19 infection.

REFERENCE: Davaasambuu Ganmaa, Kaitlyn A Cook, Polyna Khudyakov, Dorjbal Enkhjargal, Tsolmon Bilegtsaikhan, Kenneth H Mayer, Allison Clar, Michael Rueschman, Raji Balasubramanian, Aditi Hazra, Howard D Sesso, Valerie E Stone, Patricia Copeland, Georgina Friedenberg, Douglas C Smith, Quanhong Lei, Todd Lee, Emily G McDonald, Tserenkhuu Enkhtsetseg, Erdenebaatar Sumiya, Yansanjav Narankhuu, Myagmarsuren Erdenetuya, Dalkh Tserendagva, Rikard Landberg, Niclas Roxhed, Susanne Rautiainen Lagerström, JoAnn E Manson. A Randomized Trial of Vitamin D Supplementation and COVID-19 Clinical Outcomes and Long COVID: The Vitamin D for COVID-19 Trial. The Journal of Nutrition, 2026; 101398 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2026.101398