Individualized physical activity program for older adults undergoing chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Oncology
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Older adults with hematologic malignancies face high risk of functional decline during cancer treatment.
• Physical activity (PA) may mitigate these effects, but evidence in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and exploratory effects of a 6-month individualized PA program during and after chemotherapy in older adults with AML/NHL.
• To assess program adherence, recruitment, retention, safety, and patient satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• The OncoGeriatric and Individualized Physical Activity (OCAPI) study was a single-arm, prospective feasibility study.
• Participants (≥65 years) with AML/NHL received a 6-month individualized PA program including supervised/unsupervised sessions, activity tracker, and motivational calls.
• Outcomes included adherence, feasibility metrics, physical condition, PA behavior, and patient-reported/geriatric outcomes.

Main Results:

• Recruitment and retention rates were 59% and 88%, respectively; adherence was 66% for supervised sessions.
• No exercise-related adverse events occurred, and patient satisfaction was high (96%).
• Significant improvements were observed in walking endurance (+53m, 6-Minute Walk Test) and quality of life at six months; handgrip strength declined.

Conclusions:

• The individualized PA program demonstrated feasibility and safety for older AML/NHL patients undergoing chemotherapy.
• Exploratory findings suggest improvements in walking endurance and quality of life, with diagnosis-specific functional trajectories.
• Larger multicenter trials are recommended to confirm these preliminary results.