BACKGROUND: The treatment-related burden for patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) may be relieved by physical exercises. PURPOSE: To summarize and analyze the evidence provided by randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on physical exercise interventions among patients with cancer undergoing HSCT. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and PEDro were searched for relevant RCTs up to October 1, 2011. STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers screened articles on inclusion criteria and indentified relevant RCTs. DATA EXTRACTION: Two authors assessed the selected articles for risk of bias (ROB). Data extraction was performed by one reviewer. Meta-analyses were undertaken to estimate the outcomes quality of life (QOL), psychological well-being, and distress and fatigue. DATA SYNTHESIS: Eleven studies were included with study populations consisting of recipients undergoing either an allogeneic or autologous HSCT (n = 734). Four studies had low ROB. The exercise interventions were performed before, during, and/or after hospitalization for the HSCT. Different exercise programs on endurance, resistance, and/or ADL training, progressive relaxation, and stretching were employed. Meta- analyses showed that exercise during hospitalization lead to a higher QOL (WMD 8.72, 95% CI 3.13 to 14.31, p = 0.002) and less fatigue (SMD 0.53, 0.16 to 0.91, p = 0.005) in allogeneic patients at the moment of discharge from the hospital. No marked effects were found for psychological well-being and distress. Individual study results suggested significant positive effects on QOL, fatigue, psychological well-being, and distress and physical functioning. LIMITATIONS: Prevalent shortcomings in the included studies were the heterogeneity between studies and the lack of blinding of participants, personnel, and outcome assessment. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that recipients of HSCT may benefit from physical exercise.

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