A mobile application that integrated a progressive aerobic walking and resistance exercise program (GO-EXCAP) was feasible for older patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy for myeloid neoplasms. These findings were published in Blood Advances.
Most patients with myeloid neoplasms are older (60 years and older) and are at risk for toxicities due to age-related conditions. Previous studies have found that exercise has the potential to mitigate some toxicity risk. There remains a lack of data about exercise programs in the outpatient setting.
This single-arm pilot trial recruited patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy for myeloid neoplasms at the University of Rochester Medical Center Wilmot Cancer Institute. Of 59 patients approached, 25 completed baseline assessments and 22 completed postintervention assessments. Patients used an activity tracker and reported exercise data, symptoms, and barriers using a mobile application. Data were reviewed by their health care team and patients received feedback through the application. Feasibility and usability of the GO-EXCAP were evaluated.
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The patient population comprised 68.0% men, mean age 72 years (range, 62 to 81), and 92.0% were White. At the baseline geriatric assessment, patients had on average 4 impaired domains.
The mean study duration was 62.7 days, during which time 82% of patients entered any exercise data on at least 50% of study days.
With the intervention, the number of steps walked increased from 3123 to 3442 per day (P =.48) and patients increased their duration (mean, 27.1 min) and regularity (mean, 2.9 days/week) of using resistance bands (both P <.0001).
Change in resistance exercise correlated with change in Brief Fatigue Inventory (r, 0.43; P =.05), and change in Short Physical Performance Battery tended to correlate with change in steps (r, 0.43; P =.06).
The study population was biased toward White, educated patients.
This study found the GO-EXCAP intervention was feasible among older patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy for myeloid neoplasms. Additional study is needed to evaluate efficacy.
Disclosure: One author declared affiliations with biotech, pharmaceutical, and/or device companies. Please see the original reference for a full list of disclosures.
Reference
Loh KP, Sanapala C, Watson EE, et al. A single-arm pilot study of a mobile health exercise intervention (GO-EXCAP) in older patients with myeloid neoplasms. Blood Adv. 2022;6(13):3850-3860. doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2022007056
