Barb, E

Caru, M

Conroy, D

Dandekar, S

Doerksen, S

Gordon, B

Greiner, R

McGregor, L

McKeone, D

Rao, P

Saravanan, D

Schmitz, K

Schramm, J

Shah, N

Smink, G

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 Mid-Atlantic Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting, November 1st – 2nd, 2024 Conference Proceedings International Journal of Exercise Science, Volume 9, Issue 13 Childhood Cancer Survivors Engage In A Physical Activity Program: Insights From A Pilot Randomized Trial Deepika Pugalenthi Saravanan1, Maxime Caru1, Smita Dandekar1, Brett Gordon1, David E. Conroy1, Emily D. Barb1, Shawna E. Doerksen2, Gayle M. Smink1, Daniel J. McKeone1, Nidhi B. Shah1, Robert J. Greiner1, Joseph W. Schramm1, Pooja Rao1, Lisa McGregor1 and Kathryn H. Schmitz2. 1 Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA; 2 University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA  Studies have emphasized the critical need to understand the most effective strategy to implement physical activity (PA) interventions in pediatric oncology. PURPOSE. We aimed to document the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a behavioral PA intervention over 12 weeks, in addition to documenting its effects on patient-reported outcomes and physical functioning. METHODS. A total of 40 participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio for the 12-week behavioral PA intervention. The intervention was developed based on the most recent PA guidelines and on the COM-B framework to enact behavior changes. The intervention was tailored for each participant according to their health status and the results from their physical function assessments. The prescription (frequency, intensity, time and type (FITT)) was adjusted each week during the weekly support calls to maximize participants' success in reaching their goals. Participants assigned to the control group did not receive the 12-week behavioral PA intervention. RESULTS. Participants were children and adolescent survivors of childhood cancer (26 males and 14 females), 13.6 years old on average and at least 1-year post-treatment. The acceptability rate was 90.9% and the feasibility rate was excellent >85%. We found that 85% improved PA frequency, 80% improved PA intensity, 100% improved PA time, and 50.0% achieved the recommended PA guidelines at the 12-week follow-up. Physical function improved with longer 6-minute walk distances in the intervention group (465.8 ± 74.5 m) than in the control group (398.7 ± 92.9 m) at 12-week follow-up (p=0.016). PROs scores for all participants were within the limits of the normal range. CONCLUSION. In conclusion, the 12-week behavioral PA intervention was found to be acceptable, feasible and safe in children and adolescent survivors of childhood cancer. This study is an important step in the right direction to make exercise standard practice in pediatric oncology. SIGNIFANCE/NOVELTY. Children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer are living longer at the expense of adverse health outcomes, affecting their wellbeing. This study found the most effective strategy to implement PA interventions in pediatric oncology. Our findings have the potential to ultimately inform and contribute to the development of a future successful efficacy trial using behavioral PA interventions throughout the survivorship continuum.  This work was funded by a grant from the Four Diamonds Research Funds obtained by Dr. Kathryn H. Schmitz. Dr. Maxime Caru is supported by the Four Diamonds Research Funds, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Pennsylvania State Health Children’s Hospital, Hershey, PA, USA. Dr. Brett Gordon is funded by a postdoctoral fellowship from the National Institute on Aging F32AG078229. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. 

Childhood Cancer Survivors Engage In A Physical Activity Program: Insights From A Pilot Randomized Trial

https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=8652&context=ijesab

Childhood Cancer Survivors Engage In A Physical Activity Program: Insights From A Pilot Randomized Trial

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