Melbourne researchers investigate whether exercise can help bone marrow transplant patients recover faster

Physiotherapists at the Royal Melbourne hospital are trialing an eight-week outpatient exercise program in a bid to see how well it can help bone marrow transparent patients recover faster.

The trial, which provides a tailored program to 40 patients, offers individualised and monitored exercises for sufferers of blood cancer.

Hospital physiotherapist Shaza Abo said that while traditionally cancer patients were treated with rest, there is evidence that exercise can have “potential benefits to strength”.

“Being stronger reduces the chances of them needing to come back into hospital,” researcher Dr Eric Wong told 9NEWS.

Patient Annette Plomley says the program has changed her life.

“I feel fitter and stronger and I feel as though I’m back in the real world,” she said.

“It’s changed my life. It’s going to be part of my routine for the rest of my life.”

Twenty-one-year-old bodybuilder James Kearsley agreed, saying that three months on from his transplant, he has already managed to return to the gym.

“I'm back into my normal fitness regime myself, which is fantastic,” he said.

Researchers hope their program will ultimately be included as part of standard care and clinical practice for all bone narrow transplant patients.

Further funding is still required.

More than 1000 Australians undergo a bone marrow transplant to treat blood cancers each year.