Physical Exercise for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT)

Objective: To evaluate whether a novel individualized exercise training program for hospitalized patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is feasible and safe and whether it would improve functional capacity, muscle strength and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Design: Prospective, within-group, feasibility intervention study. Setting: Bone marrow transplant unit in a general hospital. Subjects: Patients electively hospitalized for HSCT who were admitted to the bone marrow transplant unit. Intervention: Participants performed the individualized in-hospital exercise training program on a daily basis during their hospital admission. The exercise training program was performed once a day for 20 to 40 minutes and included a warm-up period, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (10 to 20 minutes ), muscle strengthening exercise and cool-down activities. Outcome measures: The primary outcomes were feasibility (consent rate, attrition rate and exercise adherence) and the safety of the exercise program. Secondary outcomes included functional capacity (step test), peripheral muscle strength (sit-to-stand test) and HRQoL (QLQ-C30) were evaluated at baseline (on admission to hospital) and prior to hospital discharge.