Evaluation of Cardiorespiratory Performance After Interval Exercise Training Prior to Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

The primary purpose of the study is to determine the ability of a pre-transplant exercise intervention to improve cardiorespiratory performance (measured by VO2peak). If the safety of this approach is documented, and its efficacy demonstrated, a foundation will be laid for a larger, randomized, multi-center study to formally determine the benefit of the pre-transplant exercise intervention.

We plan to analyze the effect of IET on VO2peak in the auto and allo groups separately given their different course of treatment and outcomes. Study subjects will be recruited after they and their transplant teams have decided that they will undergo HCT. Following recruitment, patients will undergo baseline fitness assessments and then receive an individualized IET prescription for a duration of 6 weeks prior to stem cell mobilization (auto) or prior to hospitalization for conditioning (allo). For the first two weeks, subjects will undergo three times weekly 3 minute interval training during walking at 60-70% MHR. This will be followed by three times weekly aerobic interval training for 5 three-minute bouts at 65-85% maximum heart rate per session for 4 weeks.

All patients will also be provided with a FitBit accelerometer. Prior to transplant, patients will undergo follow-up fitness assessments. All patients will undergo activity tracking by accelerometry (FitBit) and admission/weekly symptom/HRQOL tracking by electronic survey throughout the post-transplant hospitalization. Also during hospitalization, all patients will perform weekly clinician supervised 6MWD testing while inpatient. One of the weekly tests during hospitalization will include patient self-administered (clinician observed) 6MWD, along with the clinician supervised 6MWD. Unsupervised patient performed 6MWD will be considered feasible if all patients who perform 6MWD can do so safely, and if for 80% of patients, the patient-performed 6MWD values are within 10% of the corresponding clinician supervised 6MWD results. If feasibility is met, we will ask patients to perform the 6MWD weekly for 4 weeks post discharge and record their distance.

Inclusion criteria

• Not currently participating in IET training
• Willing and able to provide signed, informed consent
• Planned autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant with schedule that accommodates a 6 week exercise intervention
• Willing to participate in an IET program that will last 6 weeks.
• Subject must complete at least one interval exercise session during the 6 weeks in order to be eligible for analysis.
• Planning to undergo transplant but continuing to receive cycles of chemotherapy on a previously started regimen while awaiting transplant

Exclusion criteria

• Dementia, altered mental status, or psychiatric condition that would prohibit the understanding or rendering of informed consent
• Received erythropoiesis-stimulating proteins (ESPs) within 4 weeks prior to enrollment