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.Implications for rehabilitationThe individualized in-hospital exercise training program guided by daily clinical, hemodynamic and hematologic parameters is feasible, safe and with good adherence in people undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.People undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may improve functional capacity and upper and lower limb muscle strength following in-hospital exercise training program.The individualized in-hospital exercise training program could tentatively be introduced as part of the rehabilitation process in people undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.