LONDON, July 27, 2025
- Just 24.6% of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients meet physical activity guidelines.
- Physically active patients report better quality of life and lower symptom burden.
- 70% of patients have never received physical activity advice from a doctor.
- Nearly 80% of patients are interested in CLL-specific exercise programs.
Many patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) aren’t getting enough physical activity, despite its significant benefits for their quality of life and symptom management. A new study highlights a critical gap in care, revealing that a lack of tailored programs and clinical guidance leaves many individuals struggling to stay active.
Researchers found that while regular physical activity is linked to a better quality of life and reduced symptom burden in CLL patients, only about a quarter of them actually meet the recommended guidelines. This means a substantial opportunity exists to improve patient outcomes through targeted interventions.
Despite the benefits associated with adequate physical function in CLL, 70% of respondents said they had never received any physical activity advice from a doctor.
Physical Activity Crucial for CLL Management
A survey of 128 CLL patients in the United Kingdom, encompassing both those receiving treatment and those not yet treated, revealed a stark reality: only 24.6% of participants met the recommended physical activity levels. These guidelines typically involve over 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week.
Interestingly, patients who had not yet started treatment were more likely to adhere to these guidelines. They also reported nearly twice the amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity compared to their counterparts undergoing treatment.
The Link Between Activity and Well-being
The study, published in eJHaem, established a clear connection: patients who were physically active reported higher global health scores and significantly better physical and role functioning. Conversely, those who were not active enough experienced greater fatigue, pain, and a heavier overall symptom burden.
These findings are particularly important for the CLL population, where fatigue and frailty are common. The researchers noted, “Compared to solid cancers, patients with hematologic malignancies have lower physical function, higher levels of fatigue, and an increased risk of frailty.” In fact, approximately 60% to 70% of older adults with CLL are considered pre-frail or frail, a much higher rate than the 15% to 30% seen in the general older population.
A Chasm in Clinical Guidance
Despite the proven advantages of physical activity, a striking 70% of the surveyed patients reported never having received any advice on physical activity from their doctors. This lack of guidance is a significant barrier for individuals seeking to improve their health.
However, there is a clear demand for support. Nearly 80% of patients expressed a strong interest in joining an exercise program specifically designed for people with CLL.
Patient Preferences for Exercise Programs
When asked about their ideal exercise programs, patients overwhelmingly favored supervised sessions led by physiotherapists or exercise physiologists trained in cancer care. Group sessions with other CLL patients or individuals with cancer were preferred over general population classes.
Key considerations for program design included safety, convenience, and cost. Patients showed a preference for virtual programs or those delivered in community clinics rather than hospital settings.
Tailored Approaches Needed
While previous research has explored the impact of physical activity on quality of life in CLL, this new study is among the first to directly link exercise behavior with symptom load and quality of life across different treatment stages. The authors argue that current “one-size-fits-all” physical activity recommendations fall short for this specific patient group.
“Currently, most physical activity and exercise approaches employ a ‘cookie-cutter’ approach and try to fit everyone into one model,” the researchers stated. “We show that several factors, including treatment status and symptomology, should be considered when creating CLL-specific programs.”
Factors Affecting Physical Activity
Fatigue emerged as the most frequently reported symptom across both treatment groups, affecting over 75% of participants. Insomnia and stress were also highly prevalent, impacting more than half of the patients. Those receiving treatment were more likely to experience severe fatigue, higher levels of pain, and reduced physical functioning.
Multivariable analysis identified several factors significantly associated with reduced physical activity. These included fatigue (OR, 0.979; 95% CI, 0.960-0.998; P = .033), insomnia (OR, 0.983; 95% CI, 0.96-0.997; P = .017), dyspnea (OR, 0.978; 95% CI, 0.958-0.999; P = .036), pain (OR, 0.981; 95% CI, 0.96-1.001; P = .066), and lower self-reported physical condition (OR, 0.967; 95% CI, 0.945-0.990; P = .005). Crucially, both treatment status and physical condition independently predicted whether individuals met activity guidelines.
