HEMATOLOGY / RESEARCH PAPER

Efficacy of Pre-Transplant Chest Physical Therapy on Spiromertic values and Respiratory Muscle Strength in Patients Waiting for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation”: A randomized Controlled Trial
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1 |
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia |
2 |
Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Egypt |
3 |
College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia |
4 |
Clinical Oncology Department,
Cairo University, Egypt |
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Zizi Ali
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia
Submission date: 2021-12-17
Final revision date: 2022-05-05
Acceptance date: 2022-06-08
Online publication date: 2022-07-08
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Many noninfectious pulmonary complications occur immediately within the first few weeks after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of chest physical therapy (CPT) performed during the pre-transplant period on spirometric values and respiratory muscle strength (RMS) in patients waiting for allo-HSCT.
Material and methods:
Fifty patients aged 40 to 55 years who were scheduled for allo-HSCT were randomly allocated into two equal-sized groups, a CPT group and a control group. The CPT group (n = 25) received CPT in addition to routine medical treatment, while the control group (n = 25) received routine medical treatment only. Patients in both groups received standard physical therapy during the inpatient waiting period. Interventions were conducted daily for three weeks before allo-HSCT. Pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC) was measured by spirometry, and RMS was measured by a respiratory pressure meter. A baseline assessment was done three weeks before allo-HSCT (T0), then at the end of treatment immediately before allo-HSCT (T1) and the last assessment at three weeks after allo-HSCT (T2) for all measured variables.
Results:
In comparing the two groups at T1 and T2, the mean spirometric values and RMS; maximal inspiratory pressure, and maximal expiratory pressure were all improved significantly in the CPT group in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Adding a 3-week CPT intervention to the pre-transplant rehabilitation program seems to be effective and safe for allo-HSCT recipients, as it improves pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength pre-transplant and prevents their decrease post-transplant.