Monitoring of rest-activity rhythm in cancer patients paves the way for the adoption of patient-specific chronotherapeutic approach

The status and phases of the circadian timing system (CTS) can be ascertained through measuring several biological functions. Of those measurements, rest-activity rhythm is considered as a reliable circadian biomarker to evaluate the function of CTS among oncology population. Its amenable non-invasive monitoring over longitudinal time scale makes it more appropriate and convenient. Its use as reference rhythm for timing the medications is widely accepted in cancer and sleep clinics. Current mini review highlights the present knowledge on different actigraphy devices used for the measurement of circadian rest-activity rhythm. Further, this review presents recent data dealing with the status of circadian rest-activity rhythm in cancer patients and discusses its association with health-related patients’ quality of life. Application of this concept supports that the interventions with abilities to reverse CTS dysfunction in cancer patients might prolong their survival with improved and acceptable level of health-related quality of life.