Functional evaluation indicates physical losses after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Transplantation Science

Background:

• Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a critical treatment for various hematologic malignancies and other diseases.
• Understanding the functional impact of HSCT on patients is crucial for optimizing recovery and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the functional status of patients before and after undergoing autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 50 patients (29 female, 21 male, median age 48) underwent functional assessments.
• Evaluations included the 2-minute walking test, grip strength, Schober Test for spinal mobility, and the Human Activity Profile questionnaire.
• Data were collected pre-transplant and post-transplant, with a subset of 33 patients completing follow-up assessments.

Main Results:

• Patients showed significant declines in 2-minute walking test performance (p=0.004) and grip strength (p=0.004, p<0.0001) post-HSCT.
• Spinal mobility (Schober Test) and daily activity scores (Human Activity Profile) also significantly decreased (p<0.0001).
• Heart rate increased before the walking test (p=0.01) and oxygen saturation increased after (p=0.02) post-transplant.

Conclusions:

• Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is associated with significant functional impairment and physical losses.
• These findings emphasize the need for targeted rehabilitation strategies to address post-transplant functional deficits.