Kim Y, Park S. Feasibility and benefits of a combined programme of exercise and play for paediatric cancer survivors: A pilot study.
Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2019;
28:e13111. [PMID:
31162766 DOI:
10.1111/ecc.13111]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine the feasibility and benefits of a combined programme of exercise and play for childhood cancer survivors on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), post-traumatic growth and physical strength levels.
METHODS
Six childhood cancer survivors participated in the 8-week intervention consisting of supervised play and exercise sessions two times per week. The participants performed joint exercises, independently, at home, on the 5 days that they were unable to participate in group exercises. Participants completed measures assessing HRQOL, post-traumatic growth and physical strength levels at baseline and post-intervention.
RESULTS
Recruitment, retention and attendance rates in the 8-week combined programme were 87.5%, 85.7% and 89.6%, respectively, with no adverse reactions. Statistically significant improvement was observed in post-traumatic growth (z = -2.20, p = 0.03), subscales of HRQOL school functioning (z = -2.06, p = 0.04) and total score (z = -2.0.3, p = 0.04). Moreover, physical strength measurements using the physical activity promotion system showed that, out of the five total categories, muscle strength (z = -2.02, p = 0.04) and total physical strength (z = -2.03, p = 0.04) scores were statistically significantly improved.
CONCLUSION
The 8-week combined programme of exercise and play was feasible and provided preliminary evidence for the benefits of exercise on HRQOL, post-traumatic growth and physical activity levels in childhood cancer survivors.
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