Effects of a structured exercise therapy on health-related quality of life in pediatric stem cell transplantation

Introduction This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of exercise therapy on cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and its association with health-related quality of life. The effect of exercise therapy on the quality of life of children after stem cell transplantation has not been extensively studied to date. Methods Seventy-two children and adolescents after stem cell transplantation were randomly assigned to either an exercise therapy intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG). The children in IG received sports therapy, while the children in the CG engaged in concentration tasks, memory games, and quizzes. Results Significant improvements in CRF were found in IG only after discharge from the hospital. The improved CRF correlated significantly with increased health-related quality of life. However, during the inpatient phase, there was a rapid increase in CRF initially, which was accompanied by a significant reduction in health-related quality of life. Conclusions Exercise therapy can help reduce CRF and, therefore, increase health-related quality of life after the inpatient phase.