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Exercise program improves therapy-related side-effects and quality of life in lymphoma patients undergoing therapy.
Ann Oncol. 2014 Feb;25(2):493-9
Authors: Streckmann F, Kneis S, Leifert JA, Baumann FT, Kleber M, Ihorst G, Herich L, Grüssinger V, Gollhofer A, Bertz H
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lymphoma patients undergoing therapy must cope with the side-effects of the disease itself, therapy and associated immobility. Peripheral neuropathy (PNP), loss of balance control and weakness not only diminishes patients' quality of life (QOL), it can also affect planning and the dosage of therapy. Exercise may enable patients to reverse these declines, improving their performance level and QOL.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a randomized, controlled trial, assigning 61 lymphoma patients either to a control group (CG; N = 31) or to a 36-week intervention (IG; N = 30), consisting of sensorimotor-, endurance- and strength training twice a week. Primary end point was QOL; secondary end points included movement coordination, endurance, strength and therapy-induced side-effects.
RESULTS: Intergroup comparison revealed improved QOL- (ÃŽ"T1-T0; P = 0.03) and PNP-related deep sensitivity in the IG: 87.5% were able to reduce the symptom, compared with 0% in the CG (P < 0.001). Significant differences in the change of balance control could be found between the groups, with the IG improving while the CG steadily declined (monopedal static ÃŽ"T3-T0; P = 0.03; dynamic ÃŽ"T3-T0; P = 0.007; perturbed mono-ÃŽ"T3-T0; P = 0.009 and bipedal ÃŽ"T3-T0; P = 0.006), failed attempts (monopedal static ÃŽ"T3-T0; P = 0.02, dynamic ÃŽ"T3-T0; P < 0.001and perturbed ÃŽ"T3-T0; P = 0.006) and improv! ed time to regain balance (ÃŽ"T3-T0; P = 0.04). Moreover, the change in the aerobic performance level (ÃŽ"T3-T0; P = 0.05) and additional amount of exercise carried out per week [metabolic equivalent (MET); P = 0.02] differed significantly across groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Exercise, especially sensorimotor training, is a feasible and promising method to support cancer patients during therapy. It improves patients QOL, reduces restrictions from side-effects such as PNP and improves patients' balance control, physical performance level and mobility.
GERMAN CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTER NUMBER: DRKS00003894.
PMID: 24478323 [PubMed - in process]
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