The role of physical activity in patients suffering from haematological malignancies

Czech version

Authors: A. Janíková ¹; J. Radvanský ²; R. Vysoký ^3,4; L. Baťalík ³; J. Šupitová ¹; D. Žáčková ¹; Z. Ráčil ¹; J. Mayer ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Interní hematoonkologická klinika Fakultní nemocnice Brno a Lékařské fakulty MU Brno, 2Klinika rehabilitace a tělovýchovného lékařství 2. lékařské fakulty Univerzity Karlovy a Fakultní nemocnice v Motole, Praha, 3Rehabilitační oddělení Fakultní nemocnice ¹
Published in: Transfuze Hematol. dnes,18, 2012, No. 1, p. 31-38.
Category: Comprehensive Reports, Original Papers, Case Reports

Overview

Patients with haematological malignancies often receive very aggressive treatment, which in many cases leads to complete remission and a rising proportion of completely cured patients. Despite this, many patients often complain of fatigue, weakness, exhaustion following minimal activity, shortness of breath on exertion as well as other symptoms associated with the deconditionimg syndrome. These symptoms are perceived very negatively by patients, as they induce a continued feeling of ill health. The deconditioning syndrome is partially caused by the treatment itself together with the aimless physical activity that develops during therapy and continues once this is terminated. The disease itself and repeated courses of treatment induce a catabolic effect. Physical inactivity moreover leads to loss of cardiopulmonary fitness as well as to loss of active muscle tissue. Physical training (exercise) is capable of minimising inactivity-related symptoms. Incorporation of these processes into standard care for patients with haematological malignancies is not a routine approach. In literature, eighteen studies dealing with physical activity in haemato-oncological patients have been reported to date. Eleven of these studies analyzed a mixed sample of haematological diagnoses and about half of the studies focused on physical exercise exclusively after end of treatment. The only large randomized study involving lymphoma patients produced valid and convincing data supporting the importance of supervised physical activity during chemotherapy. Positive and measurable changes in mental and physical functions were observed (aerobic capacity, muscle strength and quality of life). Based on these results, it could be concluded that physical exercise in patients with various haematological malignancies regardless of disease phase and type of treatment is safe, feasible and can induce positive objective as well as subjective measurable effects. Physical exercise should be recommended as a part of supportive care in haematological cancer patients.

Key words:
physical exertion, leukaemia, lymphoma, haematological malignancy, survival

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