Effects of a home-based exercise program on physical capacity and fatigue in patients with low to intermediate risk myelodysplastic syndrome-a pilot study.
Fatigue is a frequent and disabling symptom in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). There is evidence for the benefit of exercise on fatigue in haematological malignancies, but clinical trials targeting patients with MDS do not exist.



A prospective, non-randomized feasibility trial was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of a home-based exercise intervention in patients with MDS. Exercise schedule contained endurance or strength training in daily turns over 12 weeks. Outcome measures included 6-min walking distance (6-MWD), an ergometer check, strength measurement of lower limb, abdomen and back, quality of life and fatigue.



Twenty-one patients (13 male, 8 female) were included. Median age was 66 years (range 29-87). Fifteen patients (71%) continued the program till week 12 (T1), of whom eleven patients met criteria for program completion. There were no adverse events reported due to the intervention. 6-MWD significantly improved from 580m at T0 to 645m at T1 (p<0.05). Fatigue scores did not significantly change over time (MFI: 12.8 vs. 12.3 vs. 11.9; QLQ-C30 fatigue scale: 48.2 vs. 46.7 vs. 47.4).



These data provide evidence that an unsupervised outpatient exercise program is feasible and can improve physical capacity. Randomized, controlled studies implementing these interventions are warranted.
Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; University Cancer Center, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Clinic for Internal Medicine II, HELIOS Hospital Emil von Behring, Walterhöferstraße 11, 14165 Berlin, Germany.
Markus K
MK
Schuler
University Cancer Center, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. Electronic address: Leopold.Hentschel@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
Leopold
L
Hentschel
Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Julia
J
Göbel
Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Ekaterina
E
Balaian
University Cancer Center, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Beate
B
Hornemann
University Physiotherapy Center, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Julia
J
Hoffmann
Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Michael
M
Kramer
Department of Sports Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; Practice for Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery, Tübingen, Germany.
Philip
P
Kasten
Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Martin
M
Bornhäuser
Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany; University Cancer Center, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Gerhard
G
Ehninger
Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. Electronic address: Uwe.Platzbecker@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
Uwe
U
Platzbecker
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016138:Walking
Fatigue; Feasibility study; Myelodysplastic syndrome; Outpatients; Physical exercise