Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Physical activity programs for children diagnosed with cancer: an international environmental scan

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Supportive Care in Cancer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Physical activity programs for children diagnosed with cancer may enhance health and quality of life. However, it is unknown where and in what capacity such programs are being offered internationally.

Purpose

To identify physical activity programs for children diagnosed with cancer and summarize program characteristics.

Methods

Five data sources were searched to identify physical activity programs offered to children diagnosed with cancer. Following confirmation of eligibility, correspondents were sent a series of open-ended questions via email. Data were extracted from responses and summarized descriptively and narratively.

Results

Of the 140 unique correspondents contacted, 46 programs, in 10 countries, met eligibility criteria. Responses to open-ended follow-up questions were obtained from 36 programs and were subsequently included in the content analysis. Internationally, the majority of programs are being offered to children in Europe, with mixed cancer types, at different stages of the cancer trajectory. There is relatively equal distribution with regard to the setting in which programs are offered (i.e., community, hospital, combination). All correspondents reported that their program is professionally supervised, and most require that children obtain medical clearance prior to participating. There is considerable variability in terms of other key program (e.g., funding) and physical activity characteristics (e.g., frequency).

Conclusions

Findings from this environmental scan highlight where and in what capacity physical activity programs are being offered, providing guidance for those seeking to develop/implement physical activity programs themselves. Moreover, results highlight the current state of practice, underscoring the necessity of international networks, multi-site collaborations, and public relations to ensure all children diagnosed with cancer have access to physical activity programs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. The list of 13 relevant systematic reviews is available upon request from the corresponding author.

  2. One program that reported being translated from a research project did not have an associated publication.

  3. The program is open to children diagnosed with cancer, but has not yet had any participate.

References

  1. Baumann FT, Bloch W, Beulertz J (2013) Clinical exercise interventions in pediatric oncology: a systematic review. Pediatr Res 74(4):366–374

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Rustler V, Hagerty M, Daeggelmann J, Marjerrison S, Bloch W, Baumann FT (2017) Exercise interventions for patients with pediatric cancer during inpatient acute care: a systematic review of literature. Pediatr Blood Cancer 64(11). https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.26567

  3. Zhang FF, Kelly MJ, Must A (2017) Early nutrition and physical activity interventions in childhood cancer survivors. Curr Obes Rep 6(2):168–177

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  4. Ballard-Barbash R, Friedenreich CM, Courneya KS, Siddiqi SM, McTiernan A, Alfano CM (2012) Physical activity, biomarkers, and disease outcomes in cancer survivors: a systematic review. J Natl Cancer Inst 104(11):815–840

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Dennett AM, Peiris CL, Shields N, Prendergast LA, Taylor NF (2016) Moderate-intensity exercise reduces fatigue and improves mobility in cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-regression. J Phys 62(2):68–82

    Google Scholar 

  6. Kesting SV, Gotte M, Seidel CC, Rosenbaum D, Boos J (2016) One in four questioned children faces problems regarding reintegration into physical education at school after treatment for pediatric cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 63(4):737–739

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Landier W, Armenian S, Bhatia S (2015) Late effects of childhood cancer and its treatment. Pediatr Clin N Am 62(1):275–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Ness KK, Krull KR, Jones KE, Mulrooney DA, Armstrong GT, Green DM, Chemaitilly W, Smith WA, Wilson CL, Sklar CA, Shelton K, Srivastava DK, Ali S, Robison LL, Hudson MM (2013) Physiologic frailty as a sign of accelerated aging among adult survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the St Jude Lifetime Cohort Study. J Clin Oncol 31(36):4496–4503

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Oeffinger KC, Mertens AC, Sklar CA, Kawashima T, Hudson MM, Meadows AT, Friedman DL, Marina N, Hobbie W, Kadan-Lottick NS, Schwartz CL, Leisenring W, Robison LL, Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (2006) Chronic health conditions in adult survivors of childhood cancer. N Engl J Med 355(15):1572–1582

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Tukenova M, Guibout C, Oberlin O, Doyon F, Mousannif A, Haddy N, Guérin S, Pacquement H, Aouba A, Hawkins M, Winter D, Bourhis J, Lefkopoulos D, Diallo I, de Vathaire F (2010) Role of cancer treatment in long-term overall and cardiovascular mortality after childhood cancer. J Clin Oncol 28(8):1308–1315

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Veringa SJ, van Dulmen-den Broeder E, Kaspers GJ, Veening MA (2012) Blood pressure and body composition in long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pediatr Blood Cancer 58(2):278–282

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Chamorro-Viña CC, Wurz AJ, Culos-Reed SN (2013) Promoting physical activity in pediatric oncology. Where do we go from here? Front Oncol 3:173

    Google Scholar 

  13. Chamorro-Viña C, Guicher GM, Schulte F, De Vries A, Schwanke J, Culos-Reed SN (2017) Description of a community-based exercise program for children with cancer: a sustainable, safe, and feasible model. Rehab Onc 51(1):24–37

    Google Scholar 

  14. Gotte M, Kesting S, Winter C, Rosenbaum D, Boos J (2014) Experience of barriers and motivations for physical activities and exercise during treatment of pediatric patients with cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 61(9):1632–1637

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Söntgerath R, Freier S, Wulftange M, Eckert K (2017) Qualitätsmerkmale und verbreitungsgrad behandlungsbegleitender sporttherapie bei pädiatrisch-onkologischen erkrankungen in Deutschland. Klin Padiatr 229:126–132

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Choo CW (2001) Environmental scanning as information seeking and organizational learning. Inf Res 7(1):1–25

    Google Scholar 

  17. Pashiardis P (1996) Environmental scanning in educational organizations: uses, approaches, sources and methodologies. Int J Educ Manage 10(3):5–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Albright KS (2004) Environmental scanning: radar for organizational success. Inf Man J 38(3):38–45

    Google Scholar 

  19. Graham P, Evitts T, Thomas-MacLean R (2008) Environmental scans: how useful are they for primary care research. Can Fam Physician 54(7):1022–1023

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Hatch TF, Pearson TG (1998) Using environmental scans in educational needs assessment. J Cont Ed Health Prof 18:179–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, Mulrow C, Gotzsche PC, Ioannidis JP et al (2009) The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration. J Clin Epidemiol 62(10):e1–e34

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, Group P (2009) Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. J Clin Epidemiol 62(10):1006–1012

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. World Confederation for Physical Therapy (2017) Policy statement: description of physical therapy. https://www.wcpt.org/sites/wcpt.org/files/files/resources/policies/2017/PS_Description_of_physical_therapy_FINAL.pdf. Accessed 24 July 2018

  24. Beulertz J, Wurz A, Culos-Reed SN, Chamorro-Viña C, Bloch W, Baumann FT (2015) Ankle dorsiflexion in childhood cancer patients: a review of the literature. Can Nurs 38(6):447–457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Hsieh HF, Shannon SE (2005) Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qual Health Res 15(9):1277–1288

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Shepherd SK, Achterberg CL (1992) Qualitative research methodology: data collection, analysis, interpretation, and verification. In: Monsen ER (ed) Research: Successful Approaches. American Dietetic Association, Chicago, IL, pp 82–88

    Google Scholar 

  27. Giovannucci EL (2012) Physical activity as a standard cancer treatment. J Natl Cancer Inst 104(11):797–799. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djs229.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Wurz A, Chamorro-Viña C, Guilcher GM, Schulte F, Culos-Reed SN (2014) The feasibility and benefits of a 12-week yoga intervention for pediatric cancer out-patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 61(10):1828–1834

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Fiuza-Luces C, Padilla JR, Soares-Miranda L, Santana-Sosa E, Quiroga JV, Santos-Lozano A et al (2017) Exercise intervention in pediatric patients with solid tumors: the physical activity in pediatric cancer trial. Med Sci Sports Exerc 49(2):223–230

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Takken T, van der Torre P, Zwerink M, Hulzebos EH, Bierings M, Helders PJ et al (2009) Development, feasibility and efficacy of a community-based exercise training program in pediatric cancer survivors. Psychooncology 18(4):440–448

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Beulertz JPA, Rustler V, Bloch W, Felsch M, Baumann FT (2016) Effects of a 6-month, group-based, therapeutic exercise program for childhood cancer outpatients on motor performance, level of activity, and quality of life. Pediatr Blood Cancer 63:127–132

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Pellegrini AD, Smith PK (2008) The development of play during childhood: forms and possible functions. Child Adol Mental Health 3(2):51–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Keats MR, Culos-Reed SN, Courneya KS, McBride M (2006) An examination of physical activity behaviors in a sample of adolescent cancer survivors. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs 23(3):135–142

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Gallahue DL, Ozmun JC, Goodway JD (2011) Understanding motor development: infants, children, adolescents, adults, 7th edn. McGraw-Hill Education, New York City

    Google Scholar 

  35. Lopes VP, Rodrigues LP, Maia JA, Malina RM (2011) Motor coordination as predictor of physical activity in childhood. Scand J Med Sci Sports 21(5):663–669

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Naumann FL, Hunt M, Ali D, Wakefield CE, Moultrie K, Cohn RJ (2015) Assessment of fundamental movement skills in childhood cancer patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 62(12):2211–2215

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Kesting S, Gotte M, Seidel C, Muller C, Michel T, Kruger M, Rosenbaum D, Boos J (2017) Bewegungsund sportförderung in der pädiatrischen onkologie am universitätsklinikum Münster—erfahrungen und ergebnisse aus 5 jahren. B & G 32:60–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Kilka R, Tamburini A, Galanti G, Mascherini G, Stefani L (2018) The role of exercise in pediatric and adolescent cancer: a review of assessments and suggestions for clinical implementation. J Func Morph Kin 3(7):1–19

    Google Scholar 

  39. Chamorro-Viña C, Keats M, Culos-Reed SN (2015) Pediatric oncology exercise manual. Health & Wellness Lab University of Calgary, Calgary, AB

    Google Scholar 

  40. Deci EL, Ryan RM (2008) Hedonia, eudaimonia, and well-being: an introduction. J Happ Stud 9:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Roemmich JN, Lambiase MJ, McCarthy TF, Feda DM, Kozlowski KF (2012) Autonomy supportive environments and mastery as basic factors to motivate physical activity in children: a controlled laboratory study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 9:16

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. Steliarova-Foucher E, Colombet M, Ries LAG, Moreno F, Dolya A, Bray F, Hesseling P, Shin HY, Stiller CA, Bouzbid S, Hamdi-Cherif M, Hablas A, Chirpaz E, Buziba N, Chesumbai GC, Manraj SS, Reynders D, Wabinga HR, Chokunonga E, Moreno F, Lima CA, Asturian Laporte C, de Oliveira JC, de Aquino JAP, Gallagher SMV, Uribe CJ, Bravo LE, Yepez Chamorro MC, Torres Alvarado G, Galán Alvarez YH, Martinez Reyes FC, Castillo Calvas JC, Mendoza Alava M, Cueva Ayala P, Hanchard B, Fajardo-Gutiérrez A, Zavala Zegarra DE, Barrios E, Nikiforuk C, Woods R, Turner D, MacIntyre M, Corriveau A, Navaneelan T, Bertrand C, Stuart-Panko H, Wilson RJ, Kosary C, Shen X, Brockhouse J, Yee GA, Mitchell TC, Snipes K, West D, Rao C, Bolick S, Rycroft RK, Mueller L, Zheng Y, Dosch K, Brown H, Vargas A, Levin GM, Bayakly R, Johnson C, Shen T, Ruppert L, Lynch CF, Lai SM, Tucker TC, Wu XC, Schwenn M, Stern K, Gershman S, Copeland G, Bushhouse S, Rogers DB, Jackson Thompson J, Lemons D, Frederick S, Harris JA, Riddle B, Stroup A, Wiggins C, Schymura MJ, Giljahn LK, Sheikh A, Schubert S, Aldinger W, Fulton JP, Whiteside M, Nogueira L, Sweeney C, Johnson A, Martin J, Farley S, Harrelson D, Malicki R, Espinoza JR, Hernandez BY, Abulfateh N, Wang N, Ngan RKC, Lingegowda KB, Swaminathan R, Koyande SS, Silverman B, Ozasa K, Kanemura S, Soda M, Miyashiro I, Shibata A, Nimri O, Won YJ, Kim CH, Hong NS, Nam HS, Kweon S, Kim WC, Huh JS, Jung KW, Yoo CI, Elbasmy A, Laudico AV, Lumague MR, AlMutlag H, Buasom R, Srisukho S, Tanabodee J, Wiangnon S, Pongnikorn D, Sriplung H, Dirican O, Eser S, le Hoang M, Hackl M, Zborovskaya A, Dimitrova N, Valerianova Z, Sekerija M, Pavlou P, Dušek M, Mägi M, Clavel J, Lacour B, Guizard AV, Bouvier V, Troussard X, Woronoff AS, Tretarre B, Colonna M, Molinié F, Bara S, Velten M, Marrer E, Ganry O, Grosclaude P, Kaatsch P, Zeissig SR, Holleczek B, Katalinic A, Jakab Z, Birgisson H, Walsh PM, Mangone L, Merletti F, Magoni M, Mangone L, Ferretti S, Serraino D, Spagnoli G, Fusco M, Michiara M, Tumino R, Falcini F, Sensi F, Tisano F, Piffer S, Stracci F, Tagliabue G, Smailyte G, Agius D, Visser O, Ursin G, Didkowska J, Trojanowski M, Wojciechowska U, Forjaz de Lacerda G, Silva MA, Laranja Pontes J, da Costa Miranda A, Kaiserova E, Primic Žakelj M, Peris-Bonet R, Vicente Raneda ML, Almar Marqués E, Quirós Garcia JR, Ramos Monserrat M, Errezola Saizar M, Alemán Herrera A, Díaz García JM, Marcos-Gragera R, Sanchez-Perez MJ, Ardanaz Aicua E, Galceran J, Klint A, Kuehni CE, Bouchardy C, Levi F, Bordoni A, Konzelmann I, Rohrmann S, Stiller CA, Gavin AT, Brewster DH, Phung H, Rushton S, Guthridge S, Aitken J, D'Onise K, Venn A, Farrugian H, Threlfall TJ, Laumond S, Yen Kai Sun L, Hendrix J, Ballantine K, Colombet M, Dolya A, Masuyer E, Steliarova-Foucher E (2017) International incidence of childhood cancer, 2001–10: a population-based registry study. Lancet Oncol 18(6):719–731

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  43. Badr H, Paxton RJ, Ater JL, Urbauer D, Demark-Wahnefried W (2011) Health behaviors and weight status of childhood cancer survivors and their parents: similarities and opportunities for joint interventions. J Am Diet Assoc 111(12):1917–1923

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Gilliam MB, Madan-Swain A, Whelan K, Tucker DC, Demark-Wahnefried W, Schwebel DC (2013) Cognitive influences as mediators of family and peer support for pediatric cancer survivors' physical activity. Psychooncology 22(6):1361–1368

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Norris JM, Moules NJ, Pelletier G, Culos-Reed SN (2010) Families of young pediatric cancer survivors: a cross-sectional survey examining physical activity behavior and health-related quality of life. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs 27(4):196–208

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Gotte M, Taraks S, Boos J (2014) Sports in pediatric oncology: the role(s) of physical activity for children with cancer. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 36(2):85–90

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Beulertz J, Bloch W, Prokop A, Baumann FT (2013) Bewegungstherapie in der pädiatrischen onkologie: entwicklung eines pilotprojekts. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd 161:330–335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Huang TT, Ness KK (2011) Exercise interventions in children with cancer: a review. Int J Pediatr 461512. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/461512

  49. Santa Mina D, Sabiston CM, Au D, Fong AJ, Capozzi LC, Langelier D, Chasen M, Chiarotto J, Tomasone JR, Jones JM, Chang E, Culos-Reed SN (2018) Connecting people with cancer to physical activity and exercise programs: a pathway to create accessibility and engagement. Curr Oncol 25(2):149–162

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Miedema B, Easley J, Fortin P, Hamilton R, Mathews M (2008) The economic impact on families when a child is diagnosed with cancer. Curr Oncol 15(4):173–178

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Canadian Institutes of Health Research (2016) Knowledge translation. Canada. http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/29418.html. Accessed 17 August 2018

  52. Glasgow RE, Klesges LM, Dzewaltowski DA, Estabrooks PA, Vogt TM (2006) Evaluating the impact of health promotion programs: using the RE-AIM framework to form summary measures for decision making involving complex issues. Health Educ Res 21(5):688–694

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Glasgow RE, Vogt TM, Boles SM (1999) Evaluating the public health impact of health promotion interventions: the RE-AIM framework. Am J Public Health 89(9):1322–1327

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Jena Shank (MSc student) for assisting with Google searches and reviewing reference lists of relevant systematic reviews, Karine Fournier (expert librarian) for her guidance and assistance developing the search strategy, and correspondents who responded to requests for information and clarification.

Funding

This manuscript was prepared while the first author was supported by a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    Amanda Wurz

  2. Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany

    Julia Daeggelmann

  3. Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    Natalia Albinati, Liam Kronlund & S. Nicole Culos-Reed

  4. Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    Carolina Chamorro-Viña

  5. Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    S. Nicole Culos-Reed

  6. Alberta Health Services, Cancer Care, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Department of Psychosocial Resources, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    S. Nicole Culos-Reed

Authors
  1. Amanda Wurz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Julia Daeggelmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Natalia Albinati
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Liam Kronlund
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Carolina Chamorro-Viña
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. S. Nicole Culos-Reed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Nicole Culos-Reed.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

All co-authors have reviewed the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest and declare that they have nothing to disclose.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee (study identification: HREBA.CC-17-0329) and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was waived for this study and was implied by specific action (i.e., responding to emails).

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 117 kb)

ESM 2

(DOCX 93.9 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wurz, A., Daeggelmann, J., Albinati, N. et al. Physical activity programs for children diagnosed with cancer: an international environmental scan. Support Care Cancer 27, 1153–1162 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-04669-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-04669-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation