The Effect of Self-Rehabilitation on Physical Fitness in Adults with Hematological Malignancies (HMs) Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT)

Background: Hematologic malignancies (HMs) represent a growing global health burden, and HSCT remains a cornerstone of treatment for many HMs. Despite improvements in survival, transplantation-related physical deconditioning is a persistent clinical challenge, and evidence supporting structured inpatient exercise interventions is scarce. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of a self-directed aerobic exercise program on a cycle ergometer in inpatients under isolation precautions related to HSCT. Methods: In this single-center prospective, non-randomized controlled interventional study, 73 patients were enrolled in an intervention group (n = 43) performing daily aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer, or a control group (n = 30) receiving standard care. Physical performance was assessed at baseline and at discharge using the 6-min walk test (6 MWT), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and 30-s chair stand test (30 s-CST). Results: Significant group-by-time interactions were observed for the TUG (F(1,71) = 10.35; p = 0.001; ηp2 = 0.13) and the 30 s-CST (F(1,71) = 21.61; p < 0.0001; ηp2 = 0.23). No significant interaction was detected for the 6 MWT (F(1,71) = 2.01; p = 0.16; ηp2 = 0.03), although the decline in walking distance was smaller in the intervention group than in the control group (−4.1% vs. −10.5%). Post hoc analyses demonstrated significant within-group deterioration only in the control group. Conclusions: Self-directed aerobic exercise during inpatient isolation may mitigate physical deconditioning in HSCT recipients, supporting its integration into routine care.