Researchers from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center will present compelling findings showcasing significant benefits of resistance training for patients with multiple myeloma, in a talk at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting.

The study, led by Jens Hillengass, MD, PhD, and Janine Joseph, MS, MBA, presents new evidence documenting that targeted exercise regimens can alleviate fatigue, improve sleep and reduce pain, offering new hope for enhancing quality of life in cancer care.

The team’s six-month study evaluated 80 patients across three exercise groups: in-person supervised resistance training, virtual supervised resistance training, and unsupervised home-based walking.

The most notable improvements were seen in fatigue, pain and sleep in the resistance training groups, particularly among those who participated in person.

However, maintaining these benefits beyond the intervention remains a challenge, underscoring the need for strategies that promote sustainable lifestyle changes.

“Our findings illustrate that resistance training provides relief from symptoms like fatigue and pain, even for patients with bone disease,” says Dr. Hillengass, Chief of Myeloma/Amyloidosis at Roswell Park and senior author on the new study.

“Our work challenges the misconception that physical activity is too risky for people with multiple myeloma, and we hope that these findings will pave the way for more holistic approaches to cancer care.”

This latest research builds on earlier work by Dr. Hillengass’ team, who demonstrated that physical activity in multiple myeloma patients is not only safe, but also can improve immune health and physical function.

The findings provide robust evidence of benefits gained by integrating personalised, supervised exercise regimens into cancer care, while emphasising the need for ongoing research to sustain long-term improvements in patients’ quality of life.

“Physical activity can support patient empowerment in important ways. Through supervised programs, we’ve seen measurable improvements that help patients achieve greater control of their health and well-being,” adds Joseph, a researcher with Roswell Park’s Department of Cancer Prevention & Control who will present the findings in an oral abstract presentation.

This research was made possible thanks to the dedication of patients, clinic staff, and support from the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation.

Source: Roswell Park