2 research outputs found
Randomized controlled trial of the effects of aerobic exercise on physical functioning and quality of life in lymphoma patients
Purpose
Lymphoma patients commonly experience declines in physical functioning and quality of life (QoL)
that may be reversed with exercise training.
Patients and Methods
We conducted a randomized controlled trial in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, between 2005 and
2008 that stratified 122 lymphoma patients by major disease type and current treatment status
and randomly assigned them to usual care (UC; n 62) or 12 weeks of supervised aerobic
exercise training (AET; n 60). Our primary end point was patient-rated physical functioning
assessed by the Trial Outcome Index-Anemia. Secondary end points were overall QoL, psychosocial
functioning, cardiovascular fitness, and body composition.
Results
Follow-up assessment for our primary end point was 96% (117 of 122) at postintervention and
90% (110 of 122) at 6-month follow-up. Median adherence to the supervised exercise program
was 92%. At postintervention, AET was superior to UC for patient-rated physical functioning
(mean group difference, 9.0; 95% CI, 2.0 to 16.0; P .012), overall QoL (P .021), fatigue
(P .013), happiness (P .004), depression (P .005), general health (P .001), cardiovascular
fitness (P .001), and lean body mass (P .008). Change in peak cardiovascular fitness mediated
the change in patient-rated physical functioning. AET did not interfere with chemotherapy
completion rate or treatment response. At 6-month follow-up, AET was still borderline or
significantly superior to UC for overall QoL (P .054), happiness (P .034), and depression
(P .009) without an increased risk of disease recurrence/progression.
Conclusion
AET significantly improved important patient-rated outcomes and objective physical functioning in
lymphoma patients without interfering with medical treatments or response. Exercise training to
improve cardiovascular fitness should be considered in the management of lymphoma patients
Additional file 1: of Exercise during and after neoadjuvant rectal cancer treatment (the EXERT trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
SPIRIT 2013 Checklist: recommended items to address in a clinical trial protocol and related documents. (DOC 120 kb