Effects of Maintenance of Motor and Respiratory Performance With a Training Program in Inpatients Undergoing Bone Marrow Transplant

Abstract

Abstract Background. Substantial physical and functional deconditioning are all potential adverse effects of bone marrow transplantation. Objective. To observe how physiotherapy treatment during the hospitalization period can impact the maintenance of motor and respiratory performance in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Furthermore, it is interesting to evaluate how the patient is able to independently manage the proposed activity and consider it important for their health in the long term. Methods. Patients underwent strength and endurance tests at the start, at the end of hospitalization, and two months after discharge. The patients were given a rehabilitation protocol to follow during the entire hospitalization. During this period, lasting approximately 21 days, the physiotherapist supervises the carrying out of the exercises twice a week. From discharge and for the two months of follow-up the patient carries out the proposed protocol independently. Results. Forty-four patients were tested upon admission, discharge, and two months after admission. The distance covered in the walking test remains constant. The strength of the upper limbs shows a slight flexion at discharge and recovery of the initial values after eight weeks. The power of the lower limbs remains constant during hospitalization and increases with remote control. Conclusion. The results show that the proposal of moderate intensity physical activity can help maintaining motor and respiratory performance, in patients undergoing bone marrow trasplantation.