In a nutshell
This study examined the effectiveness of vibration therapy on patients receiving chemotherapy for leukemia and lymphoma. Researchers found that vibration therapy improved daily function in these patients.
Some background
Exercise is proven to be effective in improving outcomes of patients with cancer. Chemotherapy treatment can make exercise difficult in these patients. Vibration therapy involves stimulating nerves and muscles in these patients. It is not yet known if this may benefit daily function in patients with leukemia and lymphoma treated with chemotherapy.
Methods & findings
20 patients with leukemia and lymphoma being treated with chemotherapy were included in the study. One group received vibration therapy. The other group did cycling exercises (control group). Changes in chemotherapy side effects, blood pressure, and heart rate were recorded. Some daily function tests were also measured. These included jump height and time of chair-rising (CRT). Timed up and go (TUG; a test of a person's mobility and balance) was also measured.
No changes in blood pressure or side effects were seen between the groups. No worsening in chemotherapy side effects was seen in the vibration treatment group. Jump height in the vibration treatment group increased by 2.3cm. TUG was reduced by 1.3 seconds in the patients with vibration therapy. CRT did not change between groups.
The bottom line
The study concluded that vibration treatment was effective in improving mobility in patients with leukemia and lymphoma receiving chemotherapy.
The fine print
This was the first study of its kind and had a very small number of patients. More research is required to confirm these results.
Published By :
BMC cancer
Date :
Sep 25, 2018
