Effect of exercise capacity before allogeneic-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on physical function after transplantation

―Importance of rehabilitation intervention before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation―

Abstract

 The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of difference in exercise capacity before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT) on the change in physical function level in the transplantation treatment process. Thirty-two patients who had undergone Allo-HSCT participated and were evaluated by conducting physical function tests before Allo-HSCT, after departure from a clean room, and at discharge. All Allo-HSCT patients received physical therapy from 1 week before Allo-HSCT until they were discharged from the hospital. We divided these 32 patients into two groups as having higher or lower scores as compared to the median, based on their six-minute walk test (6MWT) scores obtained before HSCT. The change in physical function after Allo-HSCT showed similar trends in both groups. However, the high group showed significantly higher values in all physical function tests than the low group. This study showed the possibility that enhancing exercise capacity before Allo-HSCT might maintain physical function at the high level after Allo-HSCT.