https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1888-8190
Key Points
A structured, home-based exercise intervention in MPN was feasible, well-accepted, and showed initial benefits on disease-related markers.
Physical activity is a potentially safe and accessible adjunct to standard treatments in this population, warranting further study.
Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) are associated with a high symptom burden and impaired quality of life (QoL), often unaided by available treatments. Physical activity has demonstrated benefits in other cancers; however, its potential has yet to be explored in MPN. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a supervised exercise program in patients with MPN based on longitudinal assessment of symptom burden, QoL, and clinical/inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR, ferritin, LDH, serum cytokines). MPN patients (n=55) were randomized 3:2 to a 12-week home-based exercise intervention (flexibility/resistance/aerobics) supervised by a kinesiologist versus waitlist control. Measures included patient-reported outcome questionnaires, peripheral blood sampling and post-intervention interviews with participants. Forty-seven patients completed the trial (FIT, n=26; control, n=21). Median [range] age was 66 years [27-86]; 60% were female. All feasibility benchmarks were met, with 88% of participants satisfied and 92% with intent to continue an exercise program on a regular basis. A significant reduction in lactate dehydrogenase levels (LDH) was observed in FIT patients compared to controls (-14.5 U/L vs +4.0 U/L; p=0.03). Patients interviewed described positive effects of the intervention on symptoms and would unanimously recommend the program to others with MPN. In this pilot study, supervised exercise was feasible, acceptable, and showed potential benefits on inflammatory/disease markers.
