Systematic Reviews (May 2025)
High-intensity interval training and strength conditioning in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a systematic review
Abstract
Abstract Background This systematic review explores the impact of physical exercise on chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients’ physical fitness, immunologic, and quality of life outcomes. Methods Eligible studies were searched in PubMed and Web of Science up to February 2024 and were included if they involved participants in adult age, with confirmed CLL diagnose, using physical activity protocols with study design helding intervention protocols, clinical trials, or quantitative data reporting. Bias was assessed with ROBINS-I and RoB2 tools from Cochrane. The results are presented in tables and figures. A qualitative synthesis describes the main outcomes of the included studies. Meta-analysis was not performed due to significant heterogeneity. Results This review identifies 92 studies, with 6 meeting the inclusion criteria, with a sample size of 323 patients. These studies focus on cardiovascular training combined with resistance training (four studies with total sample of 177 patients), continuous cardiovascular training (one study with 122 patients), and endurance resistance training (one study with 24 patients), highlighting the importance of physical exercise in CLL patients before treatment, with significant improvements in physical fitness and immunologic parameters on intervention groups. Discussion The paucity regarding exercise influence on CLL, with small samples of patients in pilot study experiments, noted that exercise plays a vital role in improving physical fitness and immunologic parameters. However, none addressed strength training, which is known as one of the best options to increase muscular mass in physical activity interventions. The inconsistency of intervention and/or evaluation protocols ravels the advice of exercise and medical professionals on prescribing different modes of exercise, improving compliance with the prescribed exercise program, and determining which intervention in the context of exercise prescription should be used. More studies are needed to evaluate the impact of physical activity on the health-related quality of life and life span of the CLL patient. Trial registration PROSPERO CRD42023464877.
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