Effects of a structured exercise therapy on cancer-related fatigue during and after paediatric stem cell transplantation: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction. Exercise therapy is a frequently applied method in paediatric oncology but there is insufficient evidence for its effectiveness in paediatric stem cell transplantation. Methods. in a single-centre randomized controlled trial, the effect of exercise therapy (intervention group) was compared with concentration and relaxation techniques (control group). overall, 72 children were recruited before transplantation and ran- domly assigned into these 2 groups. They received exercise therapy during and after their hospital stay. A total of 47 inpatient children (age: 6–18 years) were evaluated in phase i: 21 in the intervention and 26 in the control group. The expression of cancer-related fatigue before and after therapy was documented by using the PedsQL 3.0 Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. Results. All patients deteriorated with regard to fatigue during their hospital stay. A total of 23 outpatient children (stratified into 4 groups) who continued or started exercise therapy showed a significant improvement over 3 and 6 months (phase ii) after discharge from hospital (total fatigue score: p < 0.001, general fatigue: p = 0.002, sleep and rest fatigue: p < 0.001). Conclusions. inpatient children showed no positive effects of exercise therapy on cancer-related fatigue. After discharge, the children in exercise therapy attained better physical constitution. Exercise therapy is effective for successful rehabilitation and outpatient reintegration and therefore recommended to reduce cancer-related fatigue.