Physical Training Activity During Chemotherapy Affects Patient’s Immune System Indices

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of physical activity (PA) training on immune system indices while providing chemotherapy. The retrospective research was conducted at the Oncology Department of Barzilai Hospital, Israel. 62 chemotherapy treated participants aged 47-93 years met the inclusion criteria of pre and post-exercise blood tests. 17 were men (27.4%). The PA training protocol constituted of 15 minutes daily exercise. The first instructions were given by a physiotherapist at the day of chemotherapy and supervised thereafter. Training consisted of exercises to develop muscle endurance, aerobic fitness, coordination and agility in a low-intensity mode adapted to the patients' condition. The investigative time duration ranged from 1 to 19.5 weeks; categorized as three groups. Group A: 1 to 4.5 weeks, Group B: 5 to 9 weeks and Group C: 12 to 19.5 weeks. Immune system indices: White blood cells (WBC) including lymphocytes and neutrophils counts and the Neutrophils to Lymphocytes ratio (NLR), were statistically analyzed among the three groups of participants. An upward trend was found in WBC, neutrophils and lymphocytes counts, after 5 weeks and more of exercise along with chemotherapy. Group C counts rose by 13.3%, 12% and 22% respectively. This study found no statistically significant effect of PA on NLR after the training regime among all groups. The results of the study may increase awareness of the benefits of PA as an adjunctive treatment for the disease in these patients. Further research is needed to determine the optimal length and a larger sample size at multi-center settings.disease [21][22][23][24][25][26].