Impact of Sarcopenia on Outcome of Exercise Therapy in Older Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise therapy on physical function and quality of life (QOL) in older patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma undergoing inpatient chemotherapy, including differences between patients with and without sarcopenia. Methods: Thirty-one inpatients aged 70 years or older participated in this study. Grip and knee extensor strength, 6-minute walking test, body composition, nutritional status, fatigue and health-related QOL at admission and discharge were compared. In addition, the patients were classified into sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic groups, and a comparison between admission and discharge and 2-way ANOVA were performed. Results: Overall, grip strength and skeletal muscle mass were significantly lower at discharge than at admission (P