Feasibility of an Adapted Sports Program Based on Fencing to Reduce Physical Deconditioning in Adult Hematology Patients

Summary

In 20 years, the prognosis of hematology patients has improved thanks to the development and adaptation of treatments and better risk management. However, medium and long-term complications of intensive treatments are common and remain a real public health problem. Indeed, intensive treatments associated with room confinement within a protected unit expose patients to physical deconditioning of multifactorial pathophysiological mechanisms. If this deconditioning is neglected, response to treatment, tolerance, quality of life and, in the longer term, survival will be impacted.

Several teams have demonstrated the feasibility and the benefits of physical support for patients with prolonged aplasia. These studies focused on peripheral stem cell allograft, which occur late in the treatment of acute leukemia. On the other hand, studies evaluating the benefits of physical support as soon as the diagnosis of acute leukemia is made and intensive treatments are started are rare. Implementing a adapted sport program from the diagnostic and throughout the course of treatment is therefore a worthwhile subject for research.

The adapted sport chosen was fencing because it responds to hematological problems. Fencing is adaptable without carrying or receiving blow, can be practiced standing up, in an armchair or in bed, involves praxis and concentration, and involves the whole body. It can be practiced individually or as part of a team, in a protected room or in a unit corridor. Fencing is a fighting sport and includes a psychological aspect, with a possible projection of a fight against the disease. In addition, fencing is carried out by a non-medical or paramedical practitioner, which can reinforce or recreate an image of normal activity. Finally, the attention required by listening to the fencing master and the necessary concentration unconsciously pushes the patient to "get out of his illness".

The aim of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility, throughout the care pathway, of an adapted sport program based on fencing in adult patients with hematological malignancies receiving intensive treatment, to reduce physical deconditioning.

Conditions

• Leukemia
• Lymphoma

Interventions

OTHER

Adapted sport program based on fencing

This adapted sport program includes 3 to 5 sessions per week of adapted fencing (excluding weekends and public holidays), carried out either by a fencing master trained in adapted sport, or by an APA teacher trained in adapted fencing by the fencing master. Sessions can last from 10 to 30 minutes. The course of the session is validated by the fencing master and adapted to each patient. The limiting factors are taken into account, in order to direct towards a specific practice. The sessions are progressive with very short and varied sequences calling on the imagination and experience of the fencing masters.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Hospital, Angers

  lead OTHER_GOV

Principal Investigators

• Aline MD Schmidt, PHD · University Hospital, Angers

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-12-07

Primary Completion

2025-05-30

Completion

2026-06-13

Countries

• France

Study Locations