How Effective is the Dose-graded Aerobic Training in Children Survivors of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia?
Condition: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
MeSH terms: Leukemia; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Leukemia, Lymphoid
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a 12-week dose-graded aerobic
      exercise program (D-GAE) on cardiopulmonary fitness and physical performance in children
      survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A total of 58 ALL survivors were randomly
      assigned to the D-GAE group (n = 29, who underwent a combination of traditional physical
      rehabilitation and intensity- and duration-graded aerobic training three times per week for
      12 weeks) or the control group (n = 29, who underwent only traditional physical
      rehabilitation).

      Cardiopulmonary fitness and physical performance were evaluated in both groups before and
      after treatment.
    

Detailed description: 
      Fifty-eight survivors of ALL were recruited from the hematology-oncology polyclinic at King
      Khalid Hospital and two referral pediatric hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study
      included survivors aged 10-18 years, who completed maintenance therapy, had no abnormalities
      of the lower limbs or spine and did not participate in a regular exercise program (in the
      past six months). survivors who had secondary malignancies, significant
      musculoskeletal/neurological issues affecting the capacity to participate in exercises or
      neurocognitive impairments were excluded.

      Outcome measures

        1. Cardiopulmonary fitness: The peak oxygen uptake was assessed through the McMaster
           cycling protocol.

        2. Physical Performance: Three tests were used; the 6-minute walk test, the timed up and
           down stairs test, and the 4x10 meter Shuttle Run test.

      Interventions

      The D-GAE group received a 12-week aerobic training, three times in addition to the
      traditional physical rehabilitation. The D-GAE program commenced with a training intensity
      corresponding to 50% of the maximum age-predicted heart rate for 25 minutes in the first two
      weeks, which progressed on a two-week basis, and ended up with a training intensity
      corresponding to 75% of the maximum age-predicted heart rate for 50 minutes in the last two
      weeks. The D-GAE program included a warm-up for 5 minutes and a cool-down for 5 minutes. The
      control group received the traditional physical rehabilitation only, 45 minutes per session,
      three times a week for 12 consecutive weeks. The program consisted of flexibility exercises,
      strengthening exercises, balance training, and general conditioning exercises.
    

Intervention name(s): Dose-graded aerobic exercises; Traditional physical rehabilitation
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): The D-GAE group received a 12-week aerobic training, three times in addition to the traditional physical rehabilitation. The D-GAE program commenced with a training intensity corresponding to 50% of the maximum age-predicted heart rate for 25 minutes in the first two weeks, which progressed on a two-week basis, and ended up with a training intensity corresponding to 75% of the maximum age-predicted heart rate for 50 minutes in the last two weeks. The D-GAE program included a warm-up for 5 minutes and a cool-down for 5 minutes; The control group received the traditional physical rehabilitation only, 45 minutes per session, three times a week for 12 consecutive weeks. The program consisted of flexibility exercises, strengthening exercises, balance training, and general conditioning exercises.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: A prospective, dual-arm, randomized controlled trial
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment