Impact of Prehabilitation Program on Outcomes of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Perceived exertion was assessed using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale (6-20) before and after the prehabilitation program, with ratings categorized as very easy, easy, hard, or very hard. The Borg Scale was also used during each exercise session to guide exercise intensity and ensure safety; however, the outcome reported here reflects assessments conducted at baseline and post-intervention only. Unit of Measure: Number of participants (by category: very easy / easy / hard / very hard)

Lower limb muscle strength and endurance were assessed using the 30-Second Chair Stand Test before and after the prehabilitation program. Results were compared to age-adjusted norms and categorized as below average, average, or above average. Unit of Measure: Number of participants (by category: below average / average / above average)

Upper limb (hand grip) muscle strength was assessed using a digital hand dynamometer before and after the prehabilitation program. Values were interpreted according to age- and gender-based normative data and categorized as weak, normal, or strong. Unit of Measure: Number of participants (by category: weak / normal / strong)

Fatigue was assessed using the Arabic version of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS-Ar) before and after the prehabilitation program. The scale ranges from 1 to 7, with higher scores indicating greater fatigue severity. Patients scored each item from 1 to 7, based on the extent, to which they agree or disagree with each statement (1 = strong disagreement, 7 = strong agreement). The FSS scored by calculating a mean score across all 9 items, each score then was rated as no fatigue, mild fatigue, moderate fatigue and severe fatigue.

Unit of Measure: Number of participants (by category: fatigue / mild fatigue / moderate fatigue / severe fatigue)

Nutritional status was assessed using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) before and after the prehabilitation program. MUST is a 5-step screening tool based on BMI, unplanned weight loss, and acute disease effect. Participants are categorized as low risk (score 0), medium risk (score 1), or high risk (score ≥ 2) of malnutrition. Unit of Measure: Number of participants (by risk category: low / medium / high)

Depression was assessed using the depression subscale of the Arabic Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-8 items (DASS-8) before and after the prehabilitation program. The depression subscale contains 3 items, summed and categorized according to established cut-offs: normal (0-3), moderate (4-6), or severe (7-9). Unit of Measure: Number of participants (by category: normal / moderate / severe)

Anxiety was assessed using the anxiety subscale of the Arabic Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-8 items (DASS-8) before and after the prehabilitation program. The anxiety subscale contains 3 items, summed and categorized according to established cut-offs: normal (0-3), moderate (4-6), or severe (7-9). Unit of Measure: Number of participants (by category: normal / moderate / severe)

Stress was assessed using the stress subscale of the Arabic Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-8 items (DASS-8) before and after the prehabilitation program. The stress subscale contains 2 items, summed and categorized according to established cut-offs: normal (0-2), moderate (3-4), or severe (5-6). Unit of Measure: Number of participants (by category: normal / moderate / severe)

Functional independence in daily activities was assessed using the Barthel Index, which evaluates the ability to perform activities such as walking, transferring, grooming, feeding, and toileting. Total scores were categorized as total dependency (0-20), severe dependency (21-60), moderate dependency (61-90), or slight dependency (91-99).Unit of Measure: Number of participants (by category: total dependency / severe dependency / moderate dependency / / slight dependency)