Tailored nutrition and exercise programs appear promising for patients with multiple myeloma (MM), but more research is needed to fully understand the impact of physical activity (PA) and diet interventions, according to findings published in Frontiers in Hematology.
“Considering this evidence supporting the roles of exercise and diet in MM survivorship care, the purpose of this literature review is to build upon previous reviews by providing an updated synthesis of the latest research on exercise and/or diet for individuals with MM,” Kelsey Maslana, PhD-candidate, and colleagues wrote.
Maslana and colleagues searched PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for keywords relating to MM, exercise, PA, diet, nutrition, and patient preferences.
Existing Research on Diet & Nutrition
The analysis included five exercise interventions and four diet/nutrition observational studies. Maslana and colleagues also identifi ed more than 20 registered clinical trials on exercise and/ or diet for patients with MM.
Current literature on exercise and MM underscores the importance of individualized exercise strategies tailored to specific patients’ needs.
Such programs “have been shown to lead to better adherence, improved safety, and improved patient confidence,” the researchers wrote. “Additionally, supervised exercise programs yield improved adherence compared to unsupervised home exercise programs. These outcomes align with patient preferences regarding interventions that will be most beneficial to them not only logistically, but also regarding their confidence in being able to perform PA safely.”
Studies examining diet/nutrition noted that reduced gut microbiome diversity following stem cell transplant is linked to poorer outcomes. Further, research on this topic showed that nutritional status and dietary patterns can significantly influence clinical outcomes in patients with MM, including sustained minimal residual disease negativity.
Looking Ahead: Clinical Trials & Future Research
In their assessment of registered clinical trials, the researchers found trials that mainly focus on feasibility and adherence, with a limited emphasis on long-term outcomes. Trials on ClinicalTrials.gov included exercise interventions and combined diet/exercise interventions at various stages of completion.
Maslana and colleagues noted that “significant gaps remain” in this area of research while underscoring the potential benefits of diet and exercise interventions for patients with MM.
“By developing integrated lifestyle interventions that align with patient preferences and needs, it is possible to improve adherence and engagement, as well as address underlying nutritional or physical function needs that could lead to improved quality of life and survival,” they wrote.
