Abstract

Background. Transplantation of hemopoietic stem cells has been extensively used as a curative modality to treat blood malignancies and cases of bone marrow failure. Objective. To examine the effect of aerobic exercises on functional capacity and interleukin-6 levels on patients post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Design. A quasi-experimental, randomized, single-blind design. Setting. Nasser Institute’s out-patient clinic for bone marrow transplant and Belqas central hospital. Methods. Forty women having chronic Graft versus Host Disease post hemopoietic stem cell allotransplant, with an age range of 20 to 30 years and body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2, were randomly designated into two equal groups (n = 20) (A and B). The study group (A) participated in a supervised aerobic exercise program of moderate intensity, with a score of 12-14 on the Borg scale for ‎perceived exertion, together with a specific medication routine, whereas the control group (B) was only given their medication routine. The exercise program consisted of 40 minutes on the stationary bicycle, with a warm-up and a cool-down period of 5 minutes each and 30 minutes as an active phase, 3 times per week for 3 months Both functional capacity, measured by a 6-minute walk test (6 MWT), and interleukin-6 blood level were assessed before starting the aerobic training and medical routine and after 3 months of the intervention. Results. The analysis showed a significant increase (P < .001) in the distance walked and assessed by 6 MWT in the group (A) compared to the control group (B), while there is a decrease in interleukin- 6 levels in the group (A) than in the group (B) without a statistical significance (P = 0.52). Conclusion: Aerobic training can be beneficial in increasing functional capacity.

Key words:

stem cell transplantation, graft vs host disease, aerobic exercise, interleukin-6, six-minute walk test