Abstract
Objetive: Observe the effect of a therapeutic exercise (TE) programme on physical capacity of patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) 3 months after intervention.
Patients and methods: An observational study was carried out in patients who underwent a HSCT at the Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital in Vigo (Spain) between September 2020 and August 2021. Patients were assessed before admission and 3 months after the transplant. 30-second chair stand test (30”CST) was used to measure lower body resistance, and timed up and go (TUG) to assess functional mobility and detect balance and coordination problems. During admission, patients completed the TE programme developed at the hospital based on guidelines from the Spanish Group for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (GETH-TC).
Results: 34 patients were included. Three months after HSCT, a decrease in number of 30”CST repetitions from 11.58±4.09 to 10.94±3.54 (p<0.0001) and in time to perform the TUG from 9.86±5.56 to 8.65±3.30 seconds (p<0.0001) was recorded. Fewer incidents which required help were recorded (from 21 to 16).
Conclusions: A TE programme in HSCT is safe, can improve coordination and balance, and serves to mitigate the loss of muscle strength these patients tend to experience because of disease, the transplant process, and prolonged inactivity.