International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Open Access

Abstract

Effects Of 12-Week Aerobic Dance On Haematological Variables And Health-Related Quality Of Life Of Individuals With Sickle Cell Anaemia

Odunayo Theresa Akinola, Adegoke BOA and Oyeyemi AL

Introduction: Sickle cell disease is a common condition that negatively impacts on quality of life. This study investigated the effects of a 12-week aerobic dance programme on heamatological variables and health status of individuals with sickle cell anaemia (SCA).

Methods: Participants (N=104) with SCA attending Hematology clinic at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria were randomly assigned into two groups. The control group (n=50) received routine medications while the experimental group (n=54) received 36 sessions of aerobic dancing for 12 weeks in addition to routine medications. Participants’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measured with SF-36 and the packed cell volume (PCV), platelet count (PC) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) measured with standardized instruments were assessed at baseline, and at 6 and 12 weeks. Frequency of crisis (FC), frequency of hospitalization (FH) and length of hospitalization (LH) were self-reported at 6 months before and after the study.

Results: The groups were comparable in all variables of interest at baseline and 6 months before the study (p>0.05). Compared to the control, the experimental group had significantly better PCV and health-related quality of life score at 6th week and PCV, PC and HRQoL score at 12th week. The experimental group had significantly lower FC (p<0.0001), lower FH (p=0.001) and shorter LH (p<0.0001) than the control group at 6 months after the study.

Conclusion: Aerobic dancing improves PCV, PC and health status, and reduces FC, FH and LH in individuals with SCA. Aerobic dancing could be included as a routine cost-effective adjunct therapy in the management of SCA.