The emerging role of exercise and health counseling in patients with acute leukemia undergoing chemotherapy during outpatient management

Abstract

This study investigates the feasibility, safety and benefits of a 6-week exercise and health counseling intervention in patients with acute leukemia undergoing consolidation chemotherapy during outpatient management. Seventeen of twenty patients completed study requirements (85%), adherence to exercise was 73% and for health counseling 92%. There were improvements in the 6-min-walk-distance (p=0.0013), sit-to-stand test (p=0.0062), the right and left biceps arm-curl tests p=0.0002 and p=0.0002, respectively; health-related quality of life (p=0.0209) (FACT-An), vitality (p=0.0015), mental health (p=0.0471) and physical component scale (p=0.0295) (SF36). Significant reduction in the symptom burden (p=0.0021) and symptom interference on daily life activities (p=0.0069) (MDASI). No adverse reactions were observed.