Measurement of subjective and objective indices after progressive resistance training compared with aerobic training in Patients with Haemophilia: a study protocol (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Bleeding episodes in mild haemophilia may occur after major injuries or surgical procedures with some people not experiencing bleeding episodes. People suffering from moderate haemophilia bleed once a month, however they rarely experience spontaneous bleeding. Those suffering from severe haemophilia bleed quite often into muscles or joints, and episodes can occur once to twice a week. Bleeding usually occurs spontaneously. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of progressive resistance training on quality of life, muscular strength and joint score in patients with haemophilia. METHODS Sixty patients will be enrolled in the study. Thirty patients will be allocated to control group, and thirty to intervention group. Controls will be administered active muscle stretching and aerobic exercises. Intervention group will be given active muscle stretching, and resistance training. Patients will be randomly allocated to each group. Anthropometric data will be measured pre-test to establish a baseline. Study variables include muscular strength, and quality of life. All tests will be measured pre-test and post-test to compare effects of treatment. RESULTS Participant recruitment commenced in June 2021. The post intervention phase will be completed by August 2020. Data analysis will commence after this. A write-up for publication is expected to be completed after the follow-up phase is finalized in August 2021. CONCLUSIONS If resistance training is found to be effective in improving quality of life and muscular strength in participants, it could reduce the frequency of factor therapy given prophylactically, or even as acute treatment, thus directing it towards more severe cases. It will also provide financial relief to organizations supporting the treatment of the hemophilic population. CLINICALTRIAL Registered as a clinical trial in clinicaltrials.gov on 19th May, 2021 (identifier: NCT04892628)