Effects and safety of KAATSU training on body composition in a renal oncology patient: A case report

抄録

[Objective] To evaluate the efficacy and safety of KAATSU training via remote guidance over three months on body composition, muscle strength, and quality of life (QOL) in a patient who underwent nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

[Methods] The subject was a female pianist in her 40s who was diagnosed with stage 3A (T3A) renal cell carcinoma and underwent left nephrectomy on April 10, 2024. Approximately 5 months postoperatively, she began a 3-month remote KAATSU program combining upper and lower limb exercises. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included body composition analysis, handgrip strength measurement, medical safety serum markers (creatinine, CPK, CRP), and QOL evaluation using the SF-36.

[Results] Training was completed safely without adverse events, as medical markers remained stable. Body weight increased significantly (from 47.7 kg to 48.8 kg, p=0.001), and fat-free mass similarly increased (from 34.4 kg to 35.5 kg, p=0.001). Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) increased significantly in the left arm, right arm, and right leg. Grip strength showed no significant change. Physical function (SF-36) showed slight improvement, but clinically declines (≥10 points) were observed in the subscales for physical role, emotional role, and mental health.

[Conclusion] Remote KAATSU training was demonstrated to be a safe and effective strategy for improving body composition and suppressing muscle mass loss in stage 3A renal cell carcinoma patients under strict dietary restrictions. However, the decline in mental QOL subscales suggests that the significant effort required for lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) after cancer treatment may impose psychological burden on patients, necessitating further consideration in rehabilitation protocols. This is the first case report detailing the application of KAATSU training in renal cell carcinoma patients.