Feasibility of whole body vibration during intensive chemotherapy in patients with hematological malignancies – a randomized controlled pilot study

Abstract Background Hospitalized cancer patients undergoing intensive or high-dose chemotherapy often experience a considerable decline in functional performance associated with the increased risk of adverse health events. Exercises, particularly resistance-based exercises that may counteract this decline are restricted by therapy-related side effects. Since whole body vibration (WBV) is known to efficiently stimulate the neuromuscular system without significantly raising blood pressure, we hypothesize that especially WBV is particularly feasible even during intensive or high-dose chemotherapy (primary endpoint) and thus induces beneficial functional adaptations. Methods Twenty hospitalized patients with hematological malignancies scheduled for intensive or high-dose chemotherapy were randomly allocated to an intervention group (IG) undergoing WBV, or an active control group (CG) cycling. Feasibility was determined by comparing the IG’s and CG’s training compliance. Furthermore, to assess feasibility, WBV-induced changes in chemotherapy-related side effects, blood pressure, and heart rate immediately after exercising were documented. To assess patients’ functional performance, we measured jump height (cm), the duration (sec) of performing the chair rising- (CRT) and timed-up-and-go test (TUG), maximum power output during jumping and CRT (watt/kg) as well as sway path (mm) during balance tasks. Results Training compliance was similar between groups (IG: median 62%, range 39–77; CG: 67%, 58–100; p = 0.315). Moreover, we observed neither the IG’s reported side effects worsening, nor any increase in blood pressure after WBV. IG’s jump height (+ 2.3 cm, 95%CI 0.1–4.4, p = 0.028) and TUG performance (− 1.3 s, 95%CI -2.53 – -0.65, p = 0.027) improved significantly, while sway paths in semi-tandem stance were augmented after the intervention (eyes open: + 60 mm, 95%CI 2–236, p = 0.046; eyes closed: + 88 mm, 95%CI 49–214, p = 0.028). The CG’s performances did not change over time. Maximum power output during CMJ and CRT and time during CRT did not change. Conclusion Our study is the first proving the feasibility of WBV during intensive/high-dose chemotherapy of hospitalized cancer patients. Additionally, WBV-induced neuromuscular adaptations resulted in functional benefits relevant to patients’ autonomy. We believe that WBV can be implemented as an alternative training method during intensive chemotherapy, although the relative benefit compared to conventional resistance training requires more evaluation in future studies. Trial registration German Register of Clinical Trials No.: DRKS00004338, prospectively registered on 11/30/2012

Whole body vibration training during allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation—the effects on patients’ physical capacity

Patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) experience a considerable decline in physical and psycho-social capacity. Since whole body vibration (WBV) is known to efficiently stimulate the neuromuscular system and enhance cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength in frail individuals, we hypothesized that WBV would maintain various physical and psychological capacities in patients during alloHCT. Seventy-one patients were randomly allocated to either an intervention group (IG) doing WBV or an active control group (CG) doing mobilization exercises five times per week. We determined peak oxygen consumption (V

Results From a Pilot Study of Handheld Vibration: Exercise Intervention Reduces Upper-Limb Dysfunction and Fatigue in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy: VibBRa Study

Purpose: Although there is evidence that breast cancer patients benefit from exercising during treatment, exercising during radiotherapy and especially the effects on upper-limb dysfunctions have been infrequently assessed. Therefore, we primarily aimed to confirm our interventions’ feasibility and secondarily aimed to affect upper-limb dysfunctions and fatigue. Methods: Twenty-two breast cancer patients scheduled for radiotherapy were allocated to an intervention (IG) or a passive control group (CG) as they preferred. IG exercised 3×/week during 6 weeks of radiotherapy: cycling endurance, handheld vibration, and balance training. We documented adverse events and training compliance (feasibility) and assessed the range of shoulder motion (ROM), isometric hand grip strength, vibration sense on the first metacarpophalangeal joint of the affected upper limb, and fatigue. Results: We observed no adverse events and a training compliance of 98 %. IG’s ROM improved significantly (abduction: 11°; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5 to 20; external rotation: 5°, 95% CI 0 to 10), as did the hand grip strength (1.6 kg, 95% CI −0.6 to 3.1), while CG’s ROM did not change. CG’s vibration sense worsened (−1.0 points, 95% CI −1.5 to −0.5), while IG’s remained stable. Changes in general fatigue levels between IG (−2.0 points, 95% CI −3.0 to −1.0) and CG (0.5 points, 95% CI −1.0 to 4.5) revealed significant differences ( P = .008) Conclusions: Our intervention proved to be feasible and provides novel findings: it reduced fatigue levels and interestingly, handheld vibration exercises improved upper-limb function due to shoulder ROM, hand grip strength, and vibration sense