Leukemia, cancer of the blood cells and bone marrow, accounts for 10% of new cancer cases in the US. Unfortunately, the chemotherapy treatment for leukemia is quite debilitating, causing fatigue, nausea, and loss of body mass. Exercise has been shown beneficial in several types of cancer, including breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer; however, few studies if any have investigated exercise in leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the same time.

Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill completed a study to determine the feasibility of providing in-hospital exercise to acute leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy, and to evaluate its effects. 8 patients completed the program 3 to 4 times per week over 3 to 5 weeks. They also continued aerobic exercises at home upon returning home from the hospital. The patients used elastic bands, dumbbells, and exercise balls.

Download the leukemia exercise protocol here

The patients had a significant reduction in total fatigue and depression, as well as a significant increase in cardiorespiratory endurance. They also were able to maintain their muscular endurance over the course of treatment. The authors pointed out that the low loss of muscle mass in the patients was clinically significant because extreme weight loss is a strong predictor of poor treatment outcomes.

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