title: Feasibility of an exercise programme in elderly patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation - a pilot study.
abstract: It has been demonstrated that physical exercise benefits younger patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We designed a prospective pilot study investigating whether elderly patients (>60 years) would also be able to participate in such a programme. It consisted of physiotherapist-supervised alternating endurance and resistance workouts on 6 of 7 days a week. Sixteen consecutive patients undergoing allo-HSCT were enrolled into the study. The median age was 64.5 years. Twelve patients participated in the programme until the time of discharge (75%) from the transplant unit. Therefore, the predefined criteria regarding feasibility were met. The reason for drop out was transplantation associated mortality in all patients (n = 4). Adherence was very good with a median of 85% attended training sessions. No adverse events were recorded. The endurance capacity dropped by 7% and lower extremity strength improved by 2% over time. Quality of life decreased during the study period, with global health being significantly worse at the time of discharge. In conclusion, a combined and intensified strength and endurance exercise programme is feasible and safe in a population of elderly patients undergoing allo-HSCT. Further research should focus on exploring effect sizes of such an intervention by conducting randomised controlled trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.|University Cancer Center, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Schuler
authors.affiliation: University Cancer Center, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hornemann
authors.affiliation: University Physiotherapy Center, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pawandenat
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.affiliation: University Cancer Center, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hentschel
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kasten
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Division of Epidemiology and Health Services Research, University Medical Centre of Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology/Oncology, Rems-Murr-Klinikum, Waiblingen, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schaich
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.|University Cancer Center, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ehninger
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Platzbecker
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.|DKMS Clinical Trials Unit, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schetelig
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bornhäuser
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
keywords: exercise; older person; quality of life; stem cell transplantation