Abstract:
Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant, to reconstitute hematopoietic and immune status
of patients undergoing myeloablative therapy for hematologic disorders, has been of great benefit
in minimizing or eradicating disease and extending survival. Patients who undergo allogeneic
hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) are subject to many comorbidities among which
the most significant, affecting quality of life (QoL) and survival, are acute (aGVHD) and chronic
Graft Versus Host Disease (cGVHD), resulting from donor lymphocytes reacting to and damaging
host tissues. Physical activity and exercise have clearly been shown, in both children and adults, to
enhance fitness, improve symptomatology and QoL, reduce disease progression and extend
survival for many diseases including malignancies. In some cases, vigorous exercise has been
shown to be equal to or more effective than pharmacologic therapy. This review addresses how
cGVHD affects patients’ physical function and physical domain of QoL, and the potential benefits
of exercise interventions along with recommendations for relevant research and evaluation targeted at incorporating this strategy as soon as possible after allo-H...