title: Validation of the grip test and human activity profile for evaluation of physical performance during the intermediate phase after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the presented study were to validate tools evaluating physical functioning (PF) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) and to analyze the impact of the clinical course on PF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients undergoing alloHSCT were enrolled in a prospective trial which included evaluation of muscle strength (grip test, CITEC dynamometer), endurance (2-min walk test), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale and Brief Fatigue Inventory), and physical activity (Human Activity Profile--HAP) before (t1) and 1 (t2) and 3 (t3) months after alloHSCT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At t2, all patients showed a 6 % (p = 0.02) loss of muscle strength which was higher in patients with acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) (12 %). While patients without aGVHD recovered at t3, the loss of muscle strength was progressive in patients with aGVHD. The grip test results correlated with the results of detailed measurement of muscle strength by CITEC dynamometer (r = 0.4-0.8, p = 0.05-0.001). Moreover, the HAP scores correlated with physical performance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrate that loss of PF occurs during the first month followed by a regain during the subsequent 2 months in the absence of aGVHD. The HAP and the grip test may serve as surrogate marker for the strength loss in the course of aGVHD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Care, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Maxi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Heussner
authors.forename: Philipp Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Herzberg
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Andree
authors.forename: Inken
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hilgendorf
authors.forename: Malte
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leithaeuser
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Junghanss
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Freund
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wolff
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D055815:Young Adult