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Swisher A1, Goff L2, Peck C2, Burkart M1, Craig M3, Kanate A3
1West Virginia University, Division of Physical Therapy, Morgantown, United States, 2WVU Cancer Institute, Hematology/Oncology, Morgantown, United States, 3West Virginia University, Hematology/Oncology, Morgantown, United States
Background: People who undergo cancer treatment are known to have very high risk for falls and functional impairments. However, these risks are rarely systematically assessed nor managed by rehabilitation services. Within cancer populations, persons who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation are particularly poorly characterized.
Purpose: The aim of this project was to characterize the physical function of persons planning to undergo stem cell transplantation to discover potential needs for pre-transplant interventions.
Methods: Patients approved for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were assessed for functional endurance and mean gait velocity by performing the 2-Minute Walk Test on a 20-meter course in a clinic hallway. Lower body strength was assessed by the 5 Times Sit-to-Stand test from a standard chair without armrests. Upper body strength was assessed by Jamar isometric handgrip testing. Balance was assessed by the Timed Up and Go test. Performance on all tests was compared to published age-predicted norms and persons rated as scoring worse than norms vs equal to/above norms.
Results: Data were obtained for 33 patients (26 male, 7 female, mean age 61 years). The most common diagnosis was multiple myeloma. For the group, average walking distance was 142 meters (SD 29 meters). Mean gait velocity was 1.19 m/sec (SD 0.24 m/sec). 5 Times Sit-to-Stand time averaged 13.1 sec (SD 3.4 sec). Handgrip strength averaged 28.9 kg (SD 11.5 kg). Mean time to complete Timed Up and Go test was 8.2 sec (SD 2.0 sec).
In comparison to norms, 55% scored worse than norms for 2-minute walk distance, 61% had slower than normal mean gait velocity, 82% performed worse than norms for 5 Times Sit-to-Stand test, 91% were weaker than norms for handgrip, and 42% performed worse than norms for Timed Up and Go.
Conclusion(s): Prior to transplantation, mean gait speed and both upper body and lower body strength were impaired compared to published age-related norms. Functional endurance appears less impaired and most patients were not impaired in functional balance.
Implications: Persons undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation appeared to have needs for intervention to minimize loss of strength, endurance and balance. Muscular weakness was very common finding and may be a good target for exercise intervention. Most patients have already received chemotherapy to achieve the remission necessary to have stem cell transplantation and appear to be in a weakened state prior to transplant.
Keywords: cancer, strength, endurance
Funding acknowledgements: None
Purpose: The aim of this project was to characterize the physical function of persons planning to undergo stem cell transplantation to discover potential needs for pre-transplant interventions.
Methods: Patients approved for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were assessed for functional endurance and mean gait velocity by performing the 2-Minute Walk Test on a 20-meter course in a clinic hallway. Lower body strength was assessed by the 5 Times Sit-to-Stand test from a standard chair without armrests. Upper body strength was assessed by Jamar isometric handgrip testing. Balance was assessed by the Timed Up and Go test. Performance on all tests was compared to published age-predicted norms and persons rated as scoring worse than norms vs equal to/above norms.
Results: Data were obtained for 33 patients (26 male, 7 female, mean age 61 years). The most common diagnosis was multiple myeloma. For the group, average walking distance was 142 meters (SD 29 meters). Mean gait velocity was 1.19 m/sec (SD 0.24 m/sec). 5 Times Sit-to-Stand time averaged 13.1 sec (SD 3.4 sec). Handgrip strength averaged 28.9 kg (SD 11.5 kg). Mean time to complete Timed Up and Go test was 8.2 sec (SD 2.0 sec).
In comparison to norms, 55% scored worse than norms for 2-minute walk distance, 61% had slower than normal mean gait velocity, 82% performed worse than norms for 5 Times Sit-to-Stand test, 91% were weaker than norms for handgrip, and 42% performed worse than norms for Timed Up and Go.
Conclusion(s): Prior to transplantation, mean gait speed and both upper body and lower body strength were impaired compared to published age-related norms. Functional endurance appears less impaired and most patients were not impaired in functional balance.
Implications: Persons undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation appeared to have needs for intervention to minimize loss of strength, endurance and balance. Muscular weakness was very common finding and may be a good target for exercise intervention. Most patients have already received chemotherapy to achieve the remission necessary to have stem cell transplantation and appear to be in a weakened state prior to transplant.
Keywords: cancer, strength, endurance
Funding acknowledgements: None
Topic: Oncology, HIV & palliative care; Disability & rehabilitation
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: West Virginia University
Ethics committee: Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects
Ethics number: 1807209579
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
