The long-term effects after hematopoietic stem cell transplant on leg muscle strength, physical inactivity and fatigue

Effects of a physiotherapeutic protocol in cardiorespiratory, muscle strength, aerobic capacity and quality of life after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effects of hospital cardiorespiratory physical therapy protocol on the functional capacity and quality of life of patients submitted to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

METHODS

From January to December 2019, bilateral dynamometry, Manovacuometry and Ventilometry, peak expiratory flow "Peak Flow", 6-min walk test (6MWT), SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were applied in patients who have undergone an allogeneic or autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), pre-conditioning (initial evaluation) and pre-discharge (final evaluation). The patients were submitted to an intervention protocol, consisting of aerobic training, muscle strengthening and respiratory muscle training, between the two assessments.

RESULTS

29 patients were enrolled in the study and 24 (83%) completed all procedure. Myeloablative and reduced intensity conditioning were performed in 89.6% and 10.4%, respectively; 17 (58%) patients have undergone an autologous HSCT; 10 (35%) identical related allogeneic HSCT, and 2 (7%) haploidentical allogeneic HSCT. The median number of interventions per patient was 3 (1-9). A decreasing in the right and left dynamometry (p  ≤ 0.0001 and 0.002, respectively) and, also in the distance covered in the 6MWT (p  = 0.004), was observed after HSCT. There was no significant difference in respiratory muscle strength, quality of life and fatigue sensation.

CONCLUSION

Cardiorespiratory rehabilitation can preserve functional capacity and quality of life.

Impact of the quantity and quality of the skeletal muscle on survival among patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Poor skeletal muscle function is relatively high in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), leading to various negative health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the quantity and quality of skeletal muscle before transplantation and the short-to long-term survival after transplantation in patients undergoing allo-HSCT.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 156 patients undergoing allo-HSCT (men, 67.3 %; median age, 53 years; interquartile range, 42-61 years). The quantity and quality of the skeletal muscle were measured at the psoas major at the level of the third lumbar vertebrae using a computed tomography (CT) and were defined as psoas muscle index (PMI) and CT values (CTV), respectively. The outcome measure of this study was overall survival (OS) after allo-HSCT, and we examined the relationship between survival at three time points (6, 12, and 24 months) after transplantation, PMI, and CTV.

RESULTS

PMI was significantly associated with survival at all time points in the crude model (P < 0.001), and a significant association was observed in the fully adjusted model (P < 0.01). CTV was significantly associated with survival at all time points in the crude model (P < 0.05), but not in the fully adjusted model (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that the quantity and quality of the skeletal muscle before transplantation were significantly associated with OS at 6, 12, and 24 months after transplantation, showing a particularly robust association with quantity.

The Relationship Between Muscle Strength and Body Composition Measures and Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) substantially affects daily living and quality of life, but objective CRF measures remain limited. This review aimed to identify the correlation between muscle strength and body composition measures and CRF, as well as potential objective indicators for assessing CRF.

LITERATURE SEARCH

PubMed®, MEDLINE®, CINAHL®/PsycINFO®, and Embase® were searched for studies published from January 2000 to January 2021.

DATA EVALUATION

Study selection and quality assessment were conducted using the Critical Appraisals Skills Programme checklist and the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software was used to perform meta-analysis.

SYNTHESIS

25 studies were selected, and 19 measures were analyzed. CRF negatively correlated with hand grip strength, knee extensor strength, and the sit-to-stand test. No significant correlation was found between body composition measures and CRF.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

The evidence suggests that muscle strength measures may be potential indicators for CRF assessment. Combining objective and subjective CRF assessments could assist clinicians in evaluating the effectiveness of CRF interventions more accurately.

Levels of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior During and After Hospitalization: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review and synthesize the evidence on physical activity and sedentary behavior during and after hospitalization.

DATA SOURCES

Electronic databases and reference lists of relevant articles were searched from 2000 to April 2020.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies which continuously monitored physical activity and/or sedentary behavior in hospitalized adults across 2 settings (ie, without a break in measurement between settings). Monitoring could occur from an acute to a subacute or rehabilitation hospital setting, an acute setting to home, or from a subacute or rehabilitation setting to home.

DATE EXTRACTION

Data extraction and methodological quality assessments were independently performed by 2 reviewers using standardized checklists.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A total of 15 of the 5579 studies identified were included. The studies were composed of heterogenous patient populations. All studies monitored patients with either an accelerometer and/or pedometer and reported a variety of measures, including steps per day, sedentary time, and activity counts. The majority of studies (12 of 15) showed that patients engaged in 1.3 to 5.9 times more physical activity and up to 67% less daily sedentary behavior at home after discharge from acute or subacute settings.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients engaged in more physical activity and less sedentary behavior at home compared to both the acute and subacute hospital settings. This may reflect the natural course of recovery or the effect of setting on activity levels. Enabling early discharge home through the implementation of home-hospitalization models may result in increased patient physical activity and reduced sedentary behavior. Further experimental studies are required investigating the effect of home-based models of care on physical activity and sedentary behavior.

Impairments in dyspnea, exercise capacity, physical activity and quality of life of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation survivors compared with healthy individuals: a cross sectional study

Background: A limited number of studies have reported impairments in physical activity, exercise capacity and quality of life (QOL) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allogeneic-HSCT) recipients. We aimed to compare dyspnea, exercise capacity, physical activity and QOL in allogeneic-HSCT recipients with age-gender matched healthy individuals, since this has not been investigated hitherto. Methods: A total of 80 allogeneic-HSCT recipients (>100 days status post-transplantation) (38.88 ± 13.25 years) and 60 healthy individuals (35.92 ± 10.83 years) were compared. Exercise capacity [6-minute walk test (6-MWT)], physical activity level (total and active energy expenditure, moderate and severe physical activity duration, number of steps, average metabolic equivalent, lying down and sleeping duration) [metabolic holter], QOL [European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL Questionnaire (EORTCQOL)], dyspnea [Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea scale] and pulmonary functions [spirometry] were evaluated. Clinical trials #NCT03606005. Results: Six-MWT distance, energy expenditure, physical activity duration, number of steps, average metabolic equivalent, global health status, functional and social function subscales of EORTCQOL were significantly lower in recipients compared with controls; dyspnea score, lying down, sleep durations, symptom and fatigue subscales of EORTCQOL were significantly higher in recipients compared with controls (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Dyspnea during daily living activities, exercise capacity, physical activity level and QOL are considerably impaired in allogeneic-HSCT recipients during post-engraftment period. To improve impaired outcomes, allogeneic-HSCT recipients should be oriented to cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs.

Pharmacologic interventions for fatigue in cancer and transplantation: a meta-analysis

Background

Our objective was to determine whether, compared with control interventions, pharmacologic interventions reduce the severity of fatigue in patients with cancer or recipients of hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (hsct).

Methods

For a systematic review, we searched medline, embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, cinahl, and Psychinfo for randomized trials of systemic pharmacologic interventions for the management of fatigue in patients with cancer or recipients of hsct. Two authors independently identified studies and abstracted data. Methodologic quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The primary outcome was fatigue severity measured using various fatigue scales. Data were synthesized using random-effects models.

Results

In the 117 included trials (19,819 patients), the pharmacologic agents used were erythropoietins (n = 31), stimulants (n = 19), l-carnitine (n = 6), corticosteroids (n = 5), antidepressants (n = 5), appetite stimulants (n = 3), and other agents (n = 48). Fatigue was significantly reduced with erythropoietin [standardized mean difference (smd): -0.52; 95% confidence interval (ci): -0.89 to -0.14] and with methylphenidate (smd: -0.36; 95% ci: -0.56 to -0.15); modafinil (or armodafinil) and corticosteroids were not effective.

Conclusions

Erythropoietin and methylphenidate significantly reduced fatigue severity in patients with cancer and in recipients of hsct. Concerns about the safety of those agents might limit their usefulness. Future research should identify effective interventions for fatigue that have minimal adverse effects.

Management of fatigue in children and adolescents with cancer and in paediatric recipients of haemopoietic stem-cell transplants: a clinical practice guideline

Fatigue is a prevalent and distressing symptom in children and adolescents with cancer and in those who have undergone haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation. A multidisciplinary and multinational group of experts in paediatric oncology and fatigue, together with patient advocates, developed a clinical practice guideline for management of fatigue on the basis of systematic reviews that included six paediatric and 456 adult randomised studies. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to generate recommendations, and made strong recommendations, supported by evidence of moderate quality, for use of physical activity, relaxation, and mindfulness to reduce fatigue. When these approaches are unsuccessful or not feasible, cognitive or cognitive behavioural therapies may be offered (weak recommendation supported by evidence of moderate quality). Maturity and cognitive ability of individual patients will affect the feasibility of interventions. Systemic pharmacological approaches should not be routinely used to manage fatigue in children. Apart from identification of optimal approaches to implement recommended interventions in clinical practice, future research should also address knowledge gaps, including establishment of minimum age thresholds for interventions and inclusion of paediatric patients in randomised trials of fatigue management.

Risk factors for depression and fatigue among survivors of hematopoietic cell transplantation

BACKGROUND

Patients treated with hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) often experience depression and fatigue but analyses to determine risk factors have typically lacked statistical power. The current study examined sociodemographic and clinical risk factors for depression and fatigue in a large cohort of survivors of HCT.

METHODS

Measures of depression and fatigue were included in an annual survey of HCT recipients that also included self-reported sociodemographic and health information. Patient clinical characteristics were obtained from the clinical database.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 1869 recipients (with a mean age of 56 years; 53% male) who were a mean of 13 years (allogeneic recipients) and 6 years (autologous recipients) from HCT. Moderate to severe depression was reported by 13% of participants; moderate to severe fatigue was reported by 42%. Among allogeneic recipients, female sex, younger age, current presence of chronic pain, and current patient-reported severity of chronic graft-versus-host disease were found to be independently associated with greater depression whereas female sex, current presence of chronic pain, and current severity of chronic graft-versus-host disease were independently associated with greater fatigue (P values <.01). Among autologous recipients, younger age and current presence of chronic pain were found to be independently associated with both greater depression and greater fatigue (P values <.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of depression and fatigue in this group of survivors suggest a high symptom burden. Better screening, referral, and interventions are needed.

The role of physical rehabilitation in stem cell transplantation patients

The purpose of this paper is to review the evidence for the role of physical rehabilitation in stem cell transplantation patients. We will also review the literature and discuss professional experiences on how rehabilitation can play a role in stem cell transplant care and survivorship. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is a procedure that has evolved substantially over the years to help treat multiple conditions, particularly hematologic malignancies. HCT can be very stressful on the body and can leave patients weakened and sometimes quite debilitated. Supportive care measures have advanced to improve the quality of life and overall survival of HCT survivors. One key component of improved supportive care is gaining increased attention, and that is physical medicine and rehabilitation. Its role in HCT survivorship care is expanding, and new insight and research within the discipline have focused on fatigue, inflammation, exercise, and the development of structured rehabilitation programs to improve the musculoskeletal sequelae of transplantation. This literature review has demonstrated the utility of physical rehabilitation in HCT, its impact on cancer-related fatigue, and to outline the current state of the literature on these topics. The paper delves into a background of HCT. Cancer-related fatigue in HCT is then discussed and summarized, and the role that exercise plays in modifying such fatigue is outlined. We then outline the models and the impact that physical rehabilitation may play in HCT recipients.

Physical activity intensity and health status perception of breast cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy

PURPOSE

The aim was to evaluate the physical activity intensity (PAI) of patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and investigate the relationship between health status perception and PAI in Japan.

METHODS

Consenting participants of this prospective, descriptive, repeated measures design were 28 women aged 20-64 with stage I-IIIA initial breast cancer whose regimen included anthracycline. Participants wore a triaxial accelerometer and their PAI was measured for a 14-day period at the beginning of chemotherapy. The SF-36 Survey and Cancer Fatigue Scale were administered. The accelerometer was used to calculate the number of steps, physical activity level (PAL) and total minutes of PAI levels of under 1.5 Mets, 1.5-2.9 Mets, and more than 3.0 Mets during the first half (FH; days 2-7) and second half (SH; days 8-14) of the study. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

During FH, the mean number of steps was 3841.1 steps/day and mean PAL was 1.43; during SH, the mean number of steps was 4058.4 steps/day, mean PAL was 1.43; participants spent over 70% of the day working quietly in a sitting position. PAL during SH was significantly associated with mean time spent during activities of 1.5-2.9 Mets (β = 0.880, p < 0.0001) and 3.0 Mets (β = 0.268, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy had extremely low physical activity. They should be provided useful information of appropriate physical movement and be supported in resolving physical and psychological distress.