Randomized controlled trial of the effects of aerobic exercise on physical functioning and quality of life in lymphoma patients.
OBJECTIVE
Lymphoma patients commonly experience declines in physical functioning and quality of life (QoL) that may be reversed with exercise training.


METHODS
We conducted a randomized controlled trial in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, between 2005 and 2008 that stratified 122 lymphoma patients by major disease type and current treatment status and randomly assigned them to usual care (UC; n = 62) or 12 weeks of supervised aerobic exercise training (AET; n = 60). Our primary end point was patient-rated physical functioning assessed by the Trial Outcome Index-Anemia. Secondary end points were overall QoL, psychosocial functioning, cardiovascular fitness, and body composition.


RESULTS
Follow-up assessment for our primary end point was 96% (117 of 122) at postintervention and 90% (110 of 122) at 6-month follow-up. Median adherence to the supervised exercise program was 92%. At postintervention, AET was superior to UC for patient-rated physical functioning (mean group difference, +9.0; 95% CI, 2.0 to 16.0; P = .012), overall QoL (P = .021), fatigue (P = .013), happiness (P = .004), depression (P = .005), general health (P < .001), cardiovascular fitness (P < .001), and lean body mass (P = .008). Change in peak cardiovascular fitness mediated the change in patient-rated physical functioning. AET did not interfere with chemotherapy completion rate or treatment response. At 6-month follow-up, AET was still borderline or significantly superior to UC for overall QoL (P = .054), happiness (P = .034), and depression (P = .009) without an increased risk of disease recurrence/progression.


CONCLUSIONS
AET significantly improved important patient-rated outcomes and objective physical functioning in lymphoma patients without interfering with medical treatments or response. Exercise training to improve cardiovascular fitness should be considered in the management of lymphoma patients.
Courneya
Kerry S
KS
Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, E-488 Van Vliet Center, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2H9. kerry.courneya@ualberta.ca
Sellar
Christopher M
CM
Stevinson
Clare
C
McNeely
Margaret L
ML
Peddle
Carolyn J
CJ
Friedenreich
Christine M
CM
Tankel
Keith
K
Basi
Sanraj
S
Chua
Neil
N
Mazurek
Alex
A
Reiman
Tony
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult