Effects of physical exercise for children and adolescents undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Severely reduced physical performance is already present at the time of admission for stem cell transplantation

Objectives

Paediatric patients with cancer undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) face a high risk for life-threatening infections and transplant-related complications. Therefore, these children should be in the best possible physical condition beforehand. The study aims to evaluate the fitness status before allo-HSCT and identify correlations between fitness, quality of life and fatigue, clinical data, and previous exercise sessions.

Methods

Paediatric patients with cancer ≥4 years old, treated with allo-HSCT, were recruited for the ANIMAL trial ("Effects of a low vs. moderate intense exercise program on immune recovery during paediatric allo-HSCT.", DRKS ID:DRKS00019865). Assessed at admission for HSCT were (1) clinical and anthropometric data, (2) motor performance (strength, endurance and balance) and (3) psychological parameters. Values were compared with published reference values (normative data from the literature) of healthy children, and correlation analyses were conducted.

Results

22 paediatric patients undergoing pre-allo-HSCT (23% female, 9.4±4.5 years, 73% leukaemia) exhibited substantial reduced differences in all motor performance parameters, with up to -106%±98 (mean difference to reference value) in static stance, -37%±45 in sit-to-stand, -52%±16 in leg extension and -48%±22 in hand grip strength compared with reference values. Correlations were observed among age and fitness parameters, the number of inpatient days and fatigue, and many previous exercise sessions correlated with better hand grip strength.

Conclusion

These results indicate a poorer fitness status in children before HSCT compared with healthy children, recommending the need for structured exercise programmes for children undergoing HSCT. Differently directed correlations between age/body mass index and endurance/strength and between exercise sessions and strength show the importance of individualised training recommendations and the effect of training.

Umbrella Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Physical Activity as an Effective Therapeutic Strategy for Improving Psychosocial Outcomes in Children and Adolescents

OBJECTIVE

Physical activity (PA) interventions are part of many interdisciplinary programs for the management of children and adolescents with or without physical or psychological conditions or disabilities. Aiming to summarize the available evidence, we conducted an umbrella review of meta-analyses of PA interventions that included psychosocial outcomes in populations of children and adolescents.

METHOD

Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, Medline, SPORTDiscus, and PsychInfo from January 1, 2010, to May 6, 2022. Meta-analyses of randomized and quasi-randomized studies investigating the efficacy of PA interventions for psychosocial outcomes in children and adolescents were included. Summary effects were recalculated using common metric and random-effects models. We assessed between-study heterogeneity, predictive intervals, publication bias, small study effects, and whether the results of the observed positive studies were greater than expected due to chance. On the basis of these calculations, strength of associations was assessed using quantitative umbrella review criteria, and credibility of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Quality was assessed using the AMSTAR 2 tool. This study is registered with the Open Science Framework, https://osf.io/ap8qu.

RESULTS

A total of 112 studies from 18 meta-analyses generating 12 new meta-analyses comprising 21,232 children and adolescents in population groups including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, cancer, cerebral palsy, chronic respiratory diseases, depression, neuromotor impairment, and obesity and in general populations were included. PA interventions were efficacious in reducing psychological symptoms in all meta-analyses across the different population groups using random-effects models. However, umbrella review criteria suggested a weak strength of association for this outcome, and GRADE credibility of evidence ranged from moderate to very low. For psychological well-being, 3 out of 5 meta-analyses identified significant effects, but the strength of these associations was weak, and GRADE credibility of evidence ranged from moderate to very low. Similarly, for social outcomes, meta-analyses reported a significant summary effect, but the strength of association was weak, and GRADE credibility of evidence ranged from moderate to very low. For self-esteem, one meta-analysis in children with obesity failed to show any effect.

CONCLUSION

Even though existing meta-analyses suggested a beneficial effect of PA interventions on psychosocial outcomes across different population groups, the strength of associations was weak, and the credibility of evidence was variable depending on the target population, outcome, and condition or disability. Randomized studies of PA interventions in children and adolescents with and without different physical and psychological conditions or disabilities should always include psychosocial outcomes as an important dimension of social and mental health.

STUDY PREREGISTRATION INFORMATION

Prenatal Maternal Infection and Adverse Neurodevelopment: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach to Downstream Environmental Hits; https://osf.io/; ap8qu.

Rehabilitation in children and adolescents undergoing stem cell transplantation: A pilot study focused on motor performance

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this pilot trial is evaluating the preliminary effectiveness of two in-hospital interventions in the maintenance of motor performance in children/adolescents undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Secondary objectives investigated the interventions' feasibility, impact on fatigue and to what degree the subjects' maintained their ankle dorsiflexion range of movement (ROM), functional mobility, muscle strength and flexibility.

METHODS

This trial included 5- to 18-year-old participants, affected by oncological and non-oncological diseases during hospitalisation for autologous/allogenic HSCT. The subjects were assigned to an exercise group (EG), or a counselling group based on a cluster model based on inpatient timeframe. The EG subjects performed strengthening, stretching and aerobic exercises for 30 min/5 days a week. Both groups followed rehabilitation counselling indications (RCI), 7 days a week.

RESULTS

Forty-nine participants were enrolled (median age = 12.9 years) (EG n = 36). In both groups the participants maintained their baseline motor performance and ankle ROM, and the children/adolescents and parents reduced their levels of fatigue. However, the interventions were not effective in maintaining strength.

CONCLUSION

In maintaining the subjects' motor performance, the RCI results are significant because they pave the way for the application in clinical practice contexts where there are poor rehabilitation resources. Clinical Trials registration NCT03842735.

Effects of an exercise program during pediatric stem cell transplantation: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

During pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), there is significant reduction in physical activity, leading to loss of strength and function, along with decline in quality of life (QoL). This study evaluates the effects of a supervised exercise program on functional ability, mobility, strength, and QoL during and following pediatric HSCT.

METHODS

Patients ages 4-21 years presenting for HSCT were randomized to either an intervention group, who underwent exercise routines three times weekly and once weekly on discharge for 6 weeks supervised by a physical therapist, or the control group, which was treated per standard of care. Forty subjects were recruited for the study, 20 in each arm. Physical therapy and QoL assessments were conducted at three time points: pre-HSCT (baseline), on the day of hospital discharge, and 6 weeks after discharge.

RESULTS

Exercise capacity and endurance using Six-Minute Walk test (p = .023) and strength using manual muscle testing (p = .005) were improved in the exercise group, compared to the control group. There was evidence that some QoL outcomes (measured using the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System) were improved 6 weeks post discharge, with observed decreases in anxiety (p = .0009) and fatigue (p = .037).

CONCLUSION

Supervised exercise program during pediatric HSCT has positive effects on endurance, functional mobility, and muscle strength, and may also result in improvements in some aspects of QoL. This trial was registered at www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov as NCT04663503.

Exercise and Childhood Cancer-A Historical Review

Simple Summary

Childhood cancer survivors are at risk of developing important adverse effects, but there is growing evidence that physical exercise could help in this regard. The present review summarizes the history of pediatric exercise oncology and the main milestones achieved along the way. Overall, physical exercise appears to be safe and beneficial even during the most aggressive phases of pediatric cancer treatment and can represent an effective coadjuvant therapy for attenuating cancer-related adverse effects.

Abstract

Childhood cancer survivors are at risk of developing important adverse effects, many of which persist for years after the end of treatment. The implementation of interventions aiming at attenuating tumor/treatment-associated adverse effects is therefore a major issue in pediatric oncology, and there is growing evidence that physical exercise could help in this regard. The present review aims to summarize the main milestones achieved in pediatric exercise oncology. For this purpose, we conducted a systematic review of relevant studies written in English in the electronic database PubMed (from inception to 14 August 2021). This review traces the field of pediatric exercise oncology throughout recent history based on three fundamental pillars: (i) exercise during childhood cancer treatment; (ii) exercise during/after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; and (iii) exercise after childhood cancer treatment. Accumulating evidence––although still preliminary in many cases––supports the safety and potential benefits of regular exercise (with no major contraindications in general) in the childhood cancer continuum, even during the most aggressive phases of treatment. Exercise can indeed represent an effective coadjuvant therapy for attenuating cancer-related adverse effects.

The effect of an intensive residential rehabilitation program on body composition in patients with cystic fibrosis

The pulmonary function of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with nutritional status not only expressed as body mass index (BMI) but also as fat-free mass index (FFMI). This study evaluated the effect of a residential rehabilitation program on nutritional status (BMI, FFMI). The rehabilitation program provided supervised respiratory and nutritional treatment and daily physical activity for 3 weeks (median stay 20 (19-25) days). At the start and the end of the program, weight, height, pulmonary function, and body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were prospectively collected. Supervised weighed food records were obtained, and physical activity intensity was measured using a SenseWear Pro3 Armband. CF-related complications were collected from the patient. Thirty-four patients (21 males, median age 18 years old (12-27)) were included. The diet contained a median of 30 EN% fat, 16 EN% protein, and 52 EN% of carbohydrates. A significant median weight gain (+1.45 kg (0.58; 2.6) (p < 0.0001) and a significant increase in BMI (+0.24 kg/m² (0.11; 0.38)) (p < 0.0001), FFMI (+0.26 kg/m² (0.01; 0.55)) (p < 0.0001), and FMI (+0.19 kg/m² (0.04; 0.41)) (p < 0.0001) were obtained.Conclusion: A short rehabilitation program in individuals with CF between 6 and 40 years old is able to improve nutritional status and body composition.Trial registration: NCT04527796 What is Known: • Fat-free mass depletion is frequently present in CF. • In CF pulmonary function is associated with nutritional status measured as body mass index but also fat-free mass index. What is New: • Nutritional status and body composition improve significantly after a short-term rehabilitation program. • The rehabilitation program was able to improve nutritional outcome even with a diet containing less fat than currently advised in the guidelines.