Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) and CAR T-cell therapy are effective treatments for blood cancers, extending patients lives. However, these treatments can cause side effects like muscle weakness and fatigue. Recent findings suggest these issues can significantly affect patient quality of life during CAR T-cell therapy. Patients undergoing HSCT and CAR T-cell therapy often face frequent infections and strong immune responses, requiring long periods of rest. This worsens their physical condition and impacts their quality of life, muscle strength, and fatigue levels. Minimizing these side effects is crucial to improve the well-being of patients undergoing these advanced treatments. This study aims to assess the physical abilities (main goal) of patients preparing for HSCT or CAR T-cell therapy. It also aims to examine their quality of life and describe the symptoms and complications they may experience. The results will help identify rehabilitation needs for these patients.
This is a prospective observational study following STROBE guidelines for observational studies in epidemiology. The study will take place at the Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Northern Italy. Participants will include adults with blood cancer scheduled for HSCT or CAR T-cell therapy. They must be able to understand and speak Italian and make an informed decision to participate in the study. Patients will be identified at the Hematology Unit of Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia. Medical records will be reviewed to confirm eligibility. Eligible patients will receive detailed information about the study and can decide to participate by signing a consent form. The study will last 24 months, with an 8-month enrollment period and an 8-month follow-up. Approximately 20 participants will be enrolled based on the number of patients who received HSCT and CAR T-cell therapy in 2023. Data on participants Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics will be collected at the start of the study. Complications and hospitalizations will be monitored after treatments to understand their impact on patients health. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the rehabilitation needs of patients undergoing HSCT and CAR T-cell therapy.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
20
AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia
Reggio Emilia, Italy
Physical function
Time up and go (TUG)
Time frame: From enrollment up to 8 months later.
Phyical Function
Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)
Time frame: From enrollment up to 8 months later.
Strength
Handgrip strength test
Time frame: From enrollment up to 8 months later.
Quality of life
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire-C30 -QLQ C30. This questionnaire will be administered to assess participants' quality of life. It comprises one global scale, five functional scales, three symptom scales, and six single item scale.All of the scales and single-item measures range in score from 0 to 100. A high scale score represents a higher response level. Thus a high score for a functional scale represents a high / healthy level of functioning, a high score for the global health status / QoL represents a high QoL, but a high score for a symptom scale / item represents a high level of symptomatology / problems
Time frame: From enrollment up to 8 months later.
Fatigue
Functional Assesment of Chronic IIlness Therapy-Fatigue.the total score range is 0 to 52. The general population mean score is 43. Lower scores indicate greater fatigue.
Time frame: From enrollment up to 8 months later.
Activity of daily living
Duke Activities Score Index (DASI).The DASI is a 12-item questionnaire that asses daily activities in the following domain: productivity, self-care, and leisure time. Total score ranges from 0 to 58.2. Higher scores indicate higher self-perceived functional ability.
Time frame: From enrollment up to 8 months later.
Physical activity
International Physical Activities Questionnarie\_Short Form (IPAQ-SF).This self-reported questionnaire provides information on the intensity, duration, and frequency of various physical activities, offering valuable insights into participants' overall activity levels. In addition, Metabolic Equivalent of Tasks (METs) are used to classifies the level of patients' physical activity as low (\<600 MET), moderate (from 600 to 3000 MET), or high (≥ 3000 MET)
Time frame: From enrollment up to 8 months later.
KInesiophobia
Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK)The 17 item TSK total scores range from 17 to 68 where the lowest 17 means no or negligible kinesiophobia, and the higher scores indicate an increasing degree of kinesiophobia
Time frame: From enrollment up to 8 months later.
Walking ability
Functional Ambulation Category (FAC).Clinician-completed tick box of 5 broad categories of walking ability, ranges from independent walking outside (score 5) to non-functional walking (score 0).
Time frame: From enrollment up to 8 months later.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.