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Exercise compliance among patients with multiple myeloma undergoing chemotherapy: a retrospective study

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Abstract

Purpose

Multiple myeloma (MM) is often associated with osteolytic bone disease and anemia, resulting in skeletal fragility and persistent fatigue, pain, and reduced quality of life. Exercise is considered safe and beneficial for this population. Our objectives were to evaluate the extent to which MM patients undergoing chemotherapy complied with exercise recommendations and to identify factors associated with noncompliance.

Methods

This retrospective study included 41 MM patients referred to a hospital-based rehabilitation program while undergoing chemotherapy. Variables collected at baseline (T1) and follow-up (T2) included: (a) demographics and medical history, (b) exercise levels (MET-hours/week), preferences and barriers, and (c) fatigue severity scores (0–10). Statistical analyses included logistic regression to identify factors associated with exercise noncompliance and t-tests and chi-squared tests to compare outcomes between the groups according to compliance.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 61 years; 73 % were male and 81 % had bone lesions. Overall exercise compliance at T2 was 71 %, with an observed increase in exercise levels (mean group difference: 6.5 MET-hours/week; p < 0.001) and decrease in fatigue severity scores (mean group difference −1.2; p = 0.003). Factors associated with exercise noncompliance included history of pathological fracture (odds ratio [OR] 4.7; p = 0.049), spinal cord compression (SCC) (OR 14.1; p = 0.023), and radiation (OR 28.0; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In this sample of MM patients, high compliance with exercise and associated improvements in fatigue were observed. However, participants with a history of pathological fracture, SCC, or radiation are at increased risk of noncompliance and may require additional supervision to improve exercise compliance.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. April Shamy, Dr. Chantal Cassis, Dr. Martin Gyger, and Dr. Stephen Caplan of the Jewish General Hospital Segal Cancer Centre Division of Hematology-Oncology for their involvement in referring patients to the Hope & Cope Rehabilitation and Exercise Oncology Program.

Conflict of interest

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jewish General Hospital, Hope & Cope, 3755 Cote-Ste-Catherine, E-773, Montréal, QC, H3T 1E2, Canada

    Shirin Shallwani, Mary-Ann Dalzell, Warren Sateren & Suzanne O’Brien

  2. Lymphedema Program, McGill University Health Centre, 5252 de Maisonneuve O., Suite 105-B, Montréal, QC, H4A 3S5, Canada

    Shirin Shallwani

  3. Rossy Cancer Network, 2155 rue Guy, Suite 114.4, Montréal, QC, H2H 2R9, Canada

    Warren Sateren

  4. Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Cote-Ste-Catherine, E-748, Montréal, QC, H3T 1E2, Canada

    Warren Sateren

Authors
  1. Shirin Shallwani
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  2. Mary-Ann Dalzell
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  3. Warren Sateren
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  4. Suzanne O’Brien
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shirin Shallwani.

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Shallwani, S., Dalzell, MA., Sateren, W. et al. Exercise compliance among patients with multiple myeloma undergoing chemotherapy: a retrospective study. Support Care Cancer 23, 3081–3088 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2680-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2680-2

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