Physical Activity, Symptoms, Quality of Life and Exercise Program Preferences in People With Chronic Lymphocytic...

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) has a heterogeneous lifelong course. While some patients never require treatment, most experience intermittent periods of active monitoring with other time points in active treatment. Most patients experience significant symptoms which negatively impact their quality of life (QoL). Although physical activity and exercise may help manage symptoms, it is unclear what disease-related factors drive the physical inactivity observed in people with CLL.

This study explored physical activity among people with CLL and assessed differences and relationships in treatment stage, symptoms, quality of life, and preferences for physical activity using an online questionnaire.

A total of 128 individuals with CLL [66 M/62F: mean age 67 ± 9.1 years (range 38-91 years)] completed the questionnaire. Those who are being/have been treated (N = 55) exhibited worse QoL (p = 0.018) and lower engagement in higher levels of physical activity (p = 0.045) when compared to their treatment naïve (N = 73) counterparts. Both groups had similar symptomology, with fatigue (∼77%) and insomnia (∼55%) being the most reported and associated with less likelihood of being physically active. Physically active participants reported better QoL (p = 0.020), physical functioning (p = 0.003) and role functioning (p = 0.020) as well as lower levels of fatigue (p = 0.036), pain (p = 0.017) and symptom burden (p = 0.026) compared to those who were insufficiently active. Although 79% of respondents wanted to engage in exercise programs for their CLL, 70% reported never receiving exercise guidance from their healthcare professionals.

These findings highlight a significant need for targeted interventions to increase physical activity, likely improving QoL, in people with CLL. Furthermore, there is considerable interest from the CLL community in receiving exercise guidance; however, factors such as treatment status and symptomology should be considered when developing CLL-specific exercise programs.