Sport Therapy as Part of Hemophilia Management
A study by authors from the University of Wuppertal in Germany specifically examined the impact of a half-year programmed sport therapy on the subjective physical performance and quality of life of individuals with hemophilia.
Introduction
Musculoskeletal bleeding can lead to limitations in the locomotor system and subsequently worsen health-related quality of life (HRQoL). At this time, sport is a recommended approach to improving physical performance and should be a crucial part of hemophilia management.
Methodology and Study Progress
A randomized controlled study included 64 individuals with hemophilia, 5 with moderate and 59 with severe hemophilia (57 hemophilia A and 7 hemophilia B). Participants were randomly divided into two groups: an intervention group undergoing targeted training for 6 months and a control group.
The training plan for each patient was individually tailored to their needs. It usually consisted of 5–9 exercises (e.g., cable pull – an exercise based on pulling; leg press – for strengthening the lower limbs), selected from a catalog of 30 exercises focused on strength and coordination training.
Questionnaires SF-36 and Haem-A-QoL were used for evaluation before and after the intervention, as well as HEP-Test-Q for subjective physical performance.
Results
After 6 months, individuals with hemophilia in the intervention group reported significantly better performance in the HEP-Test-Q compared to the control group. Similarly, in the SF-36 test, the general health perception and mental health domains improved in the intervention group. The specific Haem-A-QoL test confirmed significant improvements in the feeling, work, and family-focused domains.
Conclusion
In this first randomized controlled study with 6 months of sport training, its positive impact on performance, physical, and mental health was confirmed. Specific methods of sport therapy under the supervision of experienced professionals and healthcare providers should thus become a standard part of hemophilia treatment.
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Source: Runkel B., von Mackensen S., Hilberg T. RCT – subjective physical performance and quality of life after a 6-month programmed sports therapy (PST) in patients with haemophilia. Haemophilia 2016; 22: 765–771, doi: 10.1111/hae.12957.
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