Exercise helps battle leukemia fatigue

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Exercise may combat the debilitating fatigue that patients with leukemia experience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers said.

A team of researchers from the Department of Exercise and Sport Science and University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center showed that physical activity can significantly improve symptoms of fatigue and depression, increase cardiovascular endurance and maintain quality of life for adult patients undergoing treatment for leukemia.

A total of 10 patients undergoing treatment participated in the Exercise and Quality of Life in Leukemia/ Lymphoma Patients study. Each patient was provided with specially-treated exercise equipment to minimize the risk of infection, and participated in an individualized exercise session while in the hospital for the 3-5 weeks of the induction phase of leukemia treatment.

Upon their discharge from the hospital, each patient received an aerobic-based exercise prescription to use during a two-week home recovery period.

"We found that the patients experienced significant reduction in total fatigue and depression scores, as well as improved cardiorespiratory endurance and maintenance of muscular endurance," Claudio Battaglini, an assistant professor of exercise and sport science, said in a statement.

The finding is published in the journal Integrative Cancer Therapies.