Virtual Rehabilitation in HCT

Description

Chronic GVHD (cGVHD) is a major cause of illness in patients who undergo hematopoietic transplantation (HCT). GVHD can affect any organ in the body, can require several years of treatment, and can impact the quality of life (QoL). Physical activity and exercise have been shown to enhance fitness and improve QoL in chronic illnesses including GVHD, however, patients often have barriers to attending sessions including distance, risk of infection, and physical therapists' lack of experience with pediatric patients. The team's goal is to assess whether a virtual rehabilitation program in children post-HCT (including children with chronic GVHD) is feasible and whether its implementation will improve physical functioning and QoL. Patients between the ages of 8 and 23 years who are at least one hundred days post-HCT will be eligible for participation. Patients will have an assessment by a pediatric physical therapist at the time of study entry, at the end of the rehabilitation program, and approximately 3 months later. They will be supplied with some exercise equipment (such as dumbbells and resistance bands). Patients will have twice weekly half-hour one-on-one online sessions with the physical therapist for 12 weeks. Patients will be recruited through the bone marrow transplant clinic.

Conditions

Hematopoietic Cell Transplant

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Chronic GVHD (cGVHD) is a major cause of illness in patients who undergo hematopoietic transplantation (HCT). GVHD can affect any organ in the body, can require several years of treatment, and can impact the quality of life (QoL). Physical activity and exercise have been shown to enhance fitness and improve QoL in chronic illnesses including GVHD, however, patients often have barriers to attending sessions including distance, risk of infection, and physical therapists' lack of experience with pediatric patients. The team's goal is to assess whether a virtual rehabilitation program in children post-HCT (including children with chronic GVHD) is feasible and whether its implementation will improve physical functioning and QoL. Patients between the ages of 8 and 23 years who are at least one hundred days post-HCT will be eligible for participation. Patients will have an assessment by a pediatric physical therapist at the time of study entry, at the end of the rehabilitation program, and approximately 3 months later. They will be supplied with some exercise equipment (such as dumbbells and resistance bands). Patients will have twice weekly half-hour one-on-one online sessions with the physical therapist for 12 weeks. Patients will be recruited through the bone marrow transplant clinic.

A Pilot Study of Virtual Rehabilitation After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Virtual Rehabilitation in HCT

Condition
Hematopoietic Cell Transplant
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Atlanta

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30322

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Recipients between the ages of 8 and 23 years ≥100 days post allogeneic HCT.
  • * Patients 8-14 years old should have a caregiver willing to assist with the implementation of the exercises during the session
  • * Patients should have access to devices and a reliable internet connection.
  • * Patients should be cleared for exercise by their physician
  • * Patients are eligible to participate regardless of underlying diagnosis, preparative regimen, or graft source.
  • * Any physical impediment to exercise as evaluated by the treating physician.
  • * Non-English-speaking patients (due to a lack of available interpreters through the telemedicine platform).

Ages Eligible for Study

8 Years to 23 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Emory University,

Muna Qayed, MD, MsCR, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Emory University

Study Record Dates

2027-08