Individualized in-hospital exercise training program for people undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a feasibility study

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of an individualized exercise program for people undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methods: This is a feasibility study of an individualized in-hospital exercise training program for people undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Participants performed the exercise program based on daily clinical, hemodynamic and hematological assessment. The program was carried out on a daily basis for 20-40 min during their hospital admission. The primary outcome was feasibility (recruitment, adherence and attrition rates) of the exercise program. The secondary outcomes were functional capacity, peripheral muscle strength, and health-related quality of life evaluated on admission and prior to hospital discharge. The adverse events rate was recorded during the intervention. Results: Twenty-six participants (58% female), aged 40 +/- 15 (mean +/- SD) years were included. The exercise program feasibility was demonstrated by 100% recruitment, 86% exercise adherence and 12% attrition rates with no adverse events recorded. Significant differences were observed in functional capacity (p = 0.03), upper and lower-limb muscle strength (p = 0.01) from admission to discharge (23 +/- 7 d). Conclusions: An individualized exercise training program based on daily clinical parameters is feasible for hospitalized patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This intervention warrants further investigation in a randomized controlled trial.