Pilot evaluation of physical and psychological effects of a physical trek programme including a dog sledding expedition in children and teenagers with cancer.

Clothilde Vallet,Laurent Grélot,Arnauld Verschuur,Nicolas André,Cécile Martha,Frédéric Sotteau,Jean-Claude Gentet,Gérard Michel

doi:10.3332/ecancer.2015.558

Abstract

Aim of the studyTo evaluate the feasibility and to measure the effects of a six-week-long adapted physical activity programme (APAP), including 5 days of intense dog sledding, on the physical and psychological health of children and adolescents treated for cancer.MethodsEleven children and teenagers (4 girls, 7 boys; mean age 14.3 ± 2.9 years) participated in this monocentric pilot programme of adapted physical activities from February 2013 to March 2013. Seven were still on treatment. The programme lasted 6 weeks. A series of physical tests and psychological questionnaires were carried out before and after the programme.ResultsAll children and teenagers completed the full programme. An improvement in all physical and psychological parameters was observed. Statistically significant differences were observed for global self-esteem (6.2 ± 2.1 to 7.7 ± 1.8; p = 0.02), perceived sport competence (5.3 ± 3.2 to 7.4 ± 2; p = 0.02) and perceived physical strength (5.6 ± 2.5 to 7.1 ± 1.8; p = 0.001). Regarding physical tests, the physical training led to statistically significant improvement for sit-ups (13.8 ± 2.6 to 21.75 ± 5.4; p = 0.01), muscle tone (76 ± 23.7 to 100 ± 22.9; p = 0.01), and resting heart rate (96.1 ± 3.2 to 91.6 ± 4.5; p = 0.03).Conclusion This programme is feasible in children and adolescents even during their oncologic treatment. During the 6-week programme, children and adolescents improved their physical and psychological health, and the putative benefits of the APAP are discussed. A larger randomised trial started in 2014.

Highlights

Cancer in children represents less than 1% of all cancers but is a real public health issue because it remains one of the main causes of mortality in younger people in high-income countries
This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of an adapted physical activity programme (APAP) and the beneficial effects on the physical and psychological performance of children and teenagers suffering from cancer
The mean value anthropometric parameters observed during the study were as follows: weight (48.4 ± 8.5 kg), height (154 ± 11 cm), and body mass index (BMI) (20.3 ± 3.0 kg.m−2)

Summary

Introduction

Cancer in children represents less than 1% of all cancers but is a real public health issue because it remains one of the main causes of mortality in younger people in high-income countries. Current therapeutic advances (new drugs and novel therapeutic strategies, new surgical techniques, and new radiation modalities) have led to the cure of about 80% of children and adolescents with cancer. Side effects and long-term sequelae, whether related to the disease or treatments, can lead to mild to severe handicaps affecting the health and daily life of children and adolescents during and after completion of the treatment [2,3,4,5,6]. Two-thirds of survivors will experience a late effect. Children and teenagers with cancer are immersed in a painful experience with an uncertain outcome and social life, relational, familial, and schooling disruptions

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