Effects of a Strength Physical Exercise Program in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients
- Conditions
- Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaExercise
- Registration Number
- NCT06654206
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Salamanca
- Brief Summary
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a hematological neoplasm that primarily affects older individuals and is the most common type of leukemia in adults in Western countries. CLL mainly affects older adults, with an average age at diagnosis of around 70 years, and there is a slightly higher risk in men compared to women. It is characterized by the proliferation of clonal B lymphocytes in peripheral blood, bone marrow, and lymphoid organs. Although CLL has a relatively slow progression in many cases, patients may experience chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, functional impairment, and psychological disorders, such as anxiety and depression, which significantly affect their quality of life.
In this context, it has been shown that physical exercise, especially strength training, can considerably improve physical and psychological conditions in oncology populations, such as those with breast cancer and colorectal cancer, as well as in older adults, where the benefits of resistance training are widely recognized. These benefits include increased muscle strength, reduced fatigue, improved functional abilities, psychological well-being, and overall quality of life. Furthermore, there is evidence that exercise can reduce systemic inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), and improve lipid profiles by lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides, which is crucial for cancer patients at risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Detailed Description
Aquí tienes la traducción al inglés:
Current research on the effects of physical exercise in patients with CLL is limited. While some studies suggest that cancer patients may benefit from physical exercise, most research has focused on other types of cancer, such as breast, lung, or colorectal cancer. In the case of patients with CLL, in addition to functional and psychological issues, they often experience chronic inflammation and alterations in lipid profiles, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular comorbidities.
Inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), are common in patients with CLL, and it has been suggested that modulating these markers through exercise may help control systemic inflammation. Strength training, in particular, could be beneficial for improving the inflammatory and lipid profiles in these patients, although this has not been thoroughly evaluated in this population.
Regarding mental health, studies have reported that patients with CLL experience high levels of anxiety and depression, which significantly deteriorate their quality of life. In other oncology populations, exercise has proven effective in reducing these symptoms and improving overall well-being. However, it has not been sufficiently studied whether these effects can be replicated in patients with CLL, representing a gap in the current literature.
Finally, the loss of muscle strength, a key indicator in the diagnosis of sarcopenia according to the diagnostic algorithm proposed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People in 2019 (EWGSOP2), should be considered another common issue in patients with CLL, due to both the average age of the patients (70 years) and the disease itself or the side effects of treatment. Although it has been shown that physical exercise in general, and strength exercise in particular, can improve muscle strength and functional capacity in older adults and cancer patients, studies evaluating these effects in patients with CLL are lacking. Assessing how a strength training program can influence functional recovery and improve the quality of life of these patients is crucial for their clinical management.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- NOT_YET_RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 40
Not provided
Not provided
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Functional capacity From enrollment to the end of the treatment, 8 weeks. To assess functional status, the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) will be used. It consists of three tests that evaluate balance, lower limb strength through a 5-squat test, and gait speed over 4 meters. The maximum score is 12 points, and a score of ≤ 8 points indicates poor physical performance, although each of the three tests is also evaluated independently.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Quality of life From enrollment to the end of the treatment, 8 weeks. Quality of life assessment: This will be conducted using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ). It is a general quality of life instrument for cancer patients. This questionnaire consists of 30 items, 24 of which are grouped into five functional scales (physical, role, emotional, cognitive, and social), three symptom scales (fatigue, pain, and nausea/vomiting), and one global health status scale. The remaining six items assess five symptoms (dyspnea, loss of appetite, insomnia, constipation, and diarrhea) and economic impact. A high score on the functional scale indicates greater functional capacity, while a high score on the symptom scale indicates greater distress.
Anxiety and depression From enrollment to the end of the treatment, 8 weeks. Anxiety and depression assessment: These will be evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). The HADS is a reliable and valid questionnaire, consisting of seven questions (rated from 0 to 3) related to anxiety (subscale A) and another seven related to depression (subscale D), thus providing two separate scores.
Fatigue From enrollment to the end of the treatment, 8 weeks. Fatigue assessment: This will be measured using the 13-item subscale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue (FACT-F). The FACT-F is a self-report questionnaire specifically designed to measure the degree of fatigue experienced by individuals with cancer and is the most widely used. It consists of 27 items in the general FACT section and an additional 13 items in the fatigue subscale, with scores ranging from 0 to 160. Higher scores on this scale indicate lower levels of fatigue.
Sleep quality From enrollment to the end of the treatment, 8 weeks. Sleep quality assessment: The evaluation of insomnia will be conducted using the Athens Insomnia Scale. It consists of 8 items that assess sleep induction, awakenings during the night, early awakenings, duration, sleep quality, and daytime functioning. The response system is Likert-type, ranging from 0 (absence of the problem) to 3 (serious problem), and the overall score on the scale varies from 0 to 24 points.
Muscle strength From enrollment to the end of the treatment, 8 weeks. Muscle strength assessment: Muscle strength will be evaluated through two tests that may indicate possible sarcopenia:
Handgrip Strength: This will be assessed using a dynamometer to measure grip strength. Values lower than 16 kg are considered indicative of possible sarcopenia.
5-Squat Test: This measures the time taken to stand up and sit down five times on a chair without support. Times greater than 15 seconds are considered positive for probable sarcopenia.Body composition From enrollment to the end of the treatment, 8 weeks. Body composition assessment: The body mass index (BMI), appendicular lean mass (ALM), and estimated muscle mass will be calculated. This will be performed using electrical bioimpedance, which estimates muscle mass based on the electrical conductivity of the whole body. The TANITA BC-418 Body Composition Analyzer will be used.
Physical activity level From enrollment to the end of the treatment, 8 weeks. Physical activity level assessment: This will be determined using the validated IPAQ-e questionnaire for older adults.
Blood biomarker From enrollment to the end of the treatment, 8 weeks. Blood biomarker assessment: A blood sample will be taken prior to the start of the exercise program and another within two weeks after its completion. Data from blood samples included in routine clinical practice will be collected to obtain lipid profile values. Additionally, a proteomic analysis of the samples will be conducted at the Cancer Research Center (Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer Institute - Laboratory 11 of Dr. Manuel Fuentes García).