Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a 12-week dose-graded aerobic exercise program (D-GAE) on cardiopulmonary fitness and physical performance in children survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A total of 58 ALL survivors were randomly assigned to the D-GAE group (n = 29, who underwent a combination of traditional physical rehabilitation and intensity- and duration-graded aerobic training three times per week for 12 weeks) or the control group (n = 29, who underwent only traditional physical rehabilitation). Cardiopulmonary fitness and physical performance were evaluated in both groups before and after treatment.
Detailed description
Fifty-eight survivors of ALL were recruited from the hematology-oncology polyclinic at King Khalid Hospital and two referral pediatric hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study included survivors aged 10-18 years, who completed maintenance therapy, had no abnormalities of the lower limbs or spine and did not participate in a regular exercise program (in the past six months). survivors who had secondary malignancies, significant musculoskeletal/neurological issues affecting the capacity to participate in exercises or neurocognitive impairments were excluded. Outcome measures 1. Cardiopulmonary fitness: The peak oxygen uptake was assessed through the McMaster cycling protocol. 2. Physical Performance: Three tests were used; the 6-minute walk test, the timed up and down stairs test, and the 4x10 meter Shuttle Run test. Interventions The D-GAE group received a 12-week aerobic training, three times in addition to the traditional physical rehabilitation. The D-GAE program commenced with a training intensity corresponding to 50% of the maximum age-predicted heart rate for 25 minutes in the first two weeks, which progressed on a two-week basis, and ended up with a training intensity corresponding to 75% of the maximum age-predicted heart rate for 50 minutes in the last two weeks. The D-GAE program included a warm-up for 5 minutes and a cool-down for 5 minutes. The control group received the traditional physical rehabilitation only, 45 minutes per session, three times a week for 12 consecutive weeks. The program consisted of flexibility exercises, strengthening exercises, balance training, and general conditioning exercises.
Interventions
OTHERDose-graded aerobic exercises
The D-GAE group received a 12-week aerobic training, three times in addition to the traditional physical rehabilitation. The D-GAE program commenced with a training intensity corresponding to 50% of the maximum age-predicted heart rate for 25 minutes in the first two weeks, which progressed on a two-week basis, and ended up with a training intensity corresponding to 75% of the maximum age-predicted heart rate for 50 minutes in the last two weeks. The D-GAE program included a warm-up for 5 minutes and a cool-down for 5 minutes
OTHERTraditional physical rehabilitation
The control group received the traditional physical rehabilitation only, 45 minutes per session, three times a week for 12 consecutive weeks. The program consisted of flexibility exercises, strengthening exercises, balance training, and general conditioning exercises.
Sponsors
Cairo University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
A single-blind protocol was adopted. The researcher who collected the data was blind to the allocation of treatment.
Intervention model description
A prospective, dual-arm, randomized controlled trial
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
10 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Survivors of childhood ALL * Age of 10-18 years * Completion of maintenance therapy * Free of lower limb or spinal deformities * Not participating in regular exercise regimens in the past six months
Exclusion criteria
* Secondary malignancies * Significant musculoskeletal/neurological issues * Neurocognitive impairments
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Peak oxygen uptake | 3 months | The peak oxygen uptake (mL/kg/min) was assessed through a symptom-free exercise tolerance test (i.e., the McMaster cycling protocol). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Six-minute walk test. | 3 months | This test identified the maximum distance (m) that each child was able to cover over six minutes on a straight flat 30-m walkway, without running or jogging. Walking is regarded as more efficient in line with a longer distance coverage |
| Timed up and down stairs test | 3 months | This test measured the time (seconds) that each child took to climb up and down a 14-step stair flight (each 20 cm in height). Better performance is indicated by a shorter time. |
| 4x10 meter Shuttle Run test | 3 months | This test measured the time (seconds) that each child took to run forth and back a 10-meter track. Better performance is indicated by a shorter time. |
Countries
Saudi Arabia
Outcome results
None listed