# Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for physical function maintenance during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

> **NIH VA IK2** · VA PUGET SOUND HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) reduces physical function and muscle mass and increases fatigue.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), when used as a stand-alone intervention, improves muscle
strength and muscle mass in non-cancer patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic heart
failure. The use of NMES to combat disuse atrophy and functional decline may be particularly useful in the HCT
setting as patients undergo intensive preparatory chemotherapy and often experience symptoms including
severe fatigue that leave them inactive or isolated for extended time periods surrounding the transplant.
However, its use in the setting of cancer has not been well-established. This proposal will contribute to
developing strategies toward optimizing the safety and outcomes associated with HCT in Veterans with
hematologic malignancies. The overall goals of this study are to assess 1) the efficacy of an NMES vs Sham
intervention on HCT-induced reductions in physical function and muscle mass and worsening of patient-
reported fatigue and QOL and 2) the association between physical function and prolonged recovery of patient-
reported fatigue and QOL. We hypothesize that 1) NMES will attenuate the acute HCT-induced negative impact
on physical function, body composition, QOL, and fatigue compared to Sham intervention, and 2) baseline
physical function will be a significant predictor of 6-month recovery of patient-reported fatigue and QOL. Aim
1: To determine the efficacy of NMES vs. Sham for attenuation of HCT-induced reductions in physical function,
muscle mass, and patient-reported QOL and fatigue in patients undergoing autologous HCT. Patients will be
randomized 1:1 (NMES:Sham) stratified by diagnosis. Physical function, body composition, QOL, and fatigue
will be assessed at baseline (Pre, after admission to the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit but before initiation of
preparatory chemotherapy) and 28±5 days after HCT (Follow-up 1; FU1). The primary outcome will be
between-group difference in 6MWT change at FU1 compared to Pre (N=23/group; 46 total). Secondary outcomes
include: body composition measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; previously validated questionnaires
(Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue; Muscle and Joint Measures) to assess patient-
reported fatigue, QOL, symptom burden, and functional status; standard of care clinical/laboratory data
regarding co-morbidities, adverse events, hospitalizations, treatment history, functional status, and clinical
course; and NMES process measures such as feasibility, acceptability, adherence in number of sessions, accurate
use, duration/intensity, complications, and satisfaction. Aim 2: To determine predictive ability of baseline
6MWT on delayed recovery of physical function, QOL, and fatigue, patient-reported outcomes, physical function,
and chart review will be collected 6-months after HCT (FU2). 6MWT at Pre will be used to determine significant
predicto...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10069729
- **Project number:** 1IK2RX003245-01A2
- **Recipient organization:** VA PUGET SOUND HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Lindsey Anderson
- **Activity code:** IK2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-10-01 → 2025-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10069729

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10069729, Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for physical function maintenance during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (1IK2RX003245-01A2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10069729. Licensed CC0.

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