Feasibility and benefits of a combined programme of exercise and play for paediatric cancer survivors: A pilot study.

Abstract

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. 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 5days 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. 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. 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.