Fitness in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Purpose: The primary hypothesis of this study is that the combination of interval exercise training (IET) as well as motivational accelerometry (MA) delivered both as a 5-12 week intervention that will improve cardiorespiratory fitness in patients preparing to undergo allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). MA is not an established term, but in respect to this study, MA refers to the use of wearable accelerometry paired with regular intervals of physical activity coaching from members of the study staff during the IET training. The study will also look at several secondary endpoints including the association of the intervention with changes in cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A, multiple tumor suppressor 1 (p16INK4a), and the association of the intervention with changes in symptoms and quality of life before and after transplant. Participants: 60 patients will be randomized into two groups, 30 in the intervention group consisting of both IET and MA, and 30 in the control group applying usual care and use of wearable accelerometry without motivational physical activity coaching. Procedures (methods): Results of this study will inform a randomized, multi-site study of a pre-transplant exercise intervention.