Abstract
Background: Limited number of studies reported reduction in exercise capacity, muscle strength and abnormalities in lung functions in allogeneic hematopoetik stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recipients. However, pulmonary and extrapulmonary characteristics in allo-HSCT recipients have not been compared with healthy controls so far.
Aim: To compare submaximal exercise capacity, pulmonary functions, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, dyspnea and fatigue perception and depression in allo-HSCT recipients with healthy controls.
Methods: Forty patients (41.55±12.03 years) previously underwent allo-HSCT (>100 days status post transplantation) and 30 controls (45.77±10.02 years) were compared. Functional exercise capacity using 6-minute walk test (6MWT), respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP) using a mouth pressure device, peripheral muscles strength using dynamometer, dyspnea using Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea scale, fatigue using Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS), depression using Beck Depression Scale (BDS), pulmonary functions were evaluated
Results: Six-MWT distance, MIP, MEP, quadriceps femoris and hand grip muscle strength were significantly lower, Modified MMRC, BDS and FIS scores were significantly higher in recipients compared with controls p<0.05).
Conclusion: Functional exercise capacity, respiratory and lower extremity muscle strength are reduced, fatigue, dyspnea perception and depression are worsened in allo-HSCT recipients. Randomized prospective studies are needed to investigate the effects of respiratory and peripheral muscle training and aerobic exercise training in allo-HSCT recipients.
- © 2014 ERS