The Effects of Exercise Prescription on Aerobic Performance and Quality of Life During the Course of Lymphoma Chemotherapy: Results of a Prospective Controlled Study

Abstract

Background and Aim: This study is designed to investigate the physical, psychological and quality of life (QoL) effects of a 16 week supervised and structured intensive aerobic and strength training during the first line chemotherapy of lymphomas. Patients and MethodsThis pre-post study with two groups enrolled ≥18 years of age lymphoma patients scheduled for the first line chemotherapy. Eligible patients were assigned upon patients’ preference either to control group (Group C) involving simple counselling, or intervention group (Group I) involving supervised intensive training. Baseline, interim and final evaluations were performed per protocol. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to investigate the effect of intervention. ResultsThe mean age of 47 enrolled patients was 44 [standard deviation (SD) ± 17] and 27 (57.4%) of them were male. Patients in Group C (n = 19) and Group I (n = 28) had similar baseline characteristics. Tmax was significantly higher in Group I (P = .03) without a significant change during the study course (P = .98). Significant increases were observed in the power of some muscle groups, irrespective of the intervention type. The mean adherence rates were 83.0% (SD ± 22.0) and 54.0% (SD ± 23.0); the discontinuation rates were 10.7% (n = 3) and 42.9% (n = 12), at interim and final evaluations, respectively. ConclusionBoth supervised and structured schemes and simple counselling, prevent further muscle wasting and lead to modest improvements in aerobic performance and muscle strength during lymphoma chemotherapy. These results do not translate into a significant improvement in QoL measures. Non-adherence and discontinuation are important issues to be solved.