mHealth-Supported Exercise Rehabilitation to Reverse Frailty After Autologous Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma: Randomized Controlled Trial.

backgroundFrailty is highly prevalent in survivors of multiple myeloma (MM) after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation and is associated with poor functional recovery and adverse clinical outcomes. Although exercise is known to improve physical function, traditional center-based rehabilitation models are often inaccessible to this population during early posttransplant recovery. Mobile health (mHealth)-supported exercise may offer a scalable alternative; however, evidence in hematologic malignancies remains limited.

objectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 16-week mHealth-supported exercise rehabilitation program on frailty phenotype and physical function in survivors of MM within 180 days after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation.

methodsIn this single-center randomized controlled trial, participants who self-reported as prefrail or frail were randomized 1:1 to an mHealth-supported exercise group (n=16) or usual care control (n=16). Remote assessments were conducted at baseline (week 0), midpoint (week 9), and follow-up (week 17). The intervention consisted of 8 weeks of supervised tele-exercise (3 sessions/week, 50 minutes/session), followed by 8 weeks of independent home-based exercise using the same mHealth platform. Exercise intensity was prescribed using a repetitions-in-reserve-based rating of perceived exertion approach with symptom-guided progression. The primary outcome was change in the 5-component Fried frailty phenotype score (0-5). Secondary outcomes included Short Physical Performance Battery components, chair stand time, gait speed, and handgrip strength. Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted using generalized estimating equations to evaluate between-group differences over time.

resultsParticipants had a mean age of 64.6 (SD 7.1) years and were enrolled a mean of 136 (SD 36.3) days posttransplant. At baseline, 94% (30/32) of participants were classified as frail. Adherence to the supervised sessions was 85% (326/384 sessions), and adherence during the unsupervised phase was 78% (298/384 sessions). The exercise group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in frailty score compared with control from baseline to week 17 (P<.001). Between-group difference estimates showed a clinically meaningful improvement favoring exercise at both week 9 and week 17 (P<.001). Chair stand time improved significantly in the exercise group compared with control, with faster completion times observed at week 9 and sustained through week 17 (P=.002). Improvements in other Short Physical Performance Battery components and handgrip strength favored the exercise group but did not reach statistical significance. No serious adverse events occurred.

conclusionsA 16-week mHealth-supported, progressively prescribed exercise rehabilitation program was feasible, safe, and effective in reversing frailty phenotype and improving functional mobility in survivors of MM early after autologous transplantation. This approach provides a scalable model for delivering structured rehabilitation during a high-risk recovery window. Larger trials incorporating attention-matched controls and longer follow-up are warranted.

trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05142371; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05142371.