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Published on: July 27, 2022
An integrated experiential training programme with coaching to promote physical activity, and reduce fatigue among
Katherine K W Lam1, William H C Li1, O K Chung1
1School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
Insights
An integrated program significantly reduced fatigue and improved physical activity, self-efficacy, strength, and quality of life in children with cancer. This intervention is effective and feasible for pediatric cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Cancer and its treatment significantly impact children's physical function and quality of life.
- Managing cancer-related fatigue and promoting physical activity are crucial for pediatric cancer survivors.
- There is a need for effective, feasible interventions to support children with cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated program on physical activity, fatigue, self-efficacy, muscle strength, and quality of life in Chinese children with cancer.
- To assess the feasibility of implementing such a program in a clinical setting.
- To provide an alternative approach for ameliorating the healthcare burden associated with pediatric cancer.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 70 children diagnosed with cancer.
- The experimental group received a 6-month integrated program with home visits, while the control group received a placebo intervention.
- Outcomes including fatigue, physical activity, self-efficacy, muscle strength, and quality of life were assessed at baseline, 6, and 9 months.
Main Results:
- The experimental group showed significantly lower cancer-related fatigue at 9 months.
- Participants in the experimental group reported higher physical activity levels and physical activity self-efficacy.
- Enhanced muscle strength (grip strength) and improved quality of life were observed in the intervention group compared to the control group.
Conclusions:
- The integrated program is effective and feasible for improving the well-being of children with cancer.
- This intervention offers a viable strategy to reduce the healthcare burden in pediatric oncology.
- Multidisciplinary partnerships are recommended for the sustainable implementation of such programs.
Objective:
This study examined the effectiveness of an integrated programme in promoting physical activity, reducing fatigue, enhancing physical activity self-efficacy, muscle strength and quality of life among Chinese children with cancer.
Methods:
A randomised controlled trial was conducted in a Hong Kong public hospital. Seventy eligible children were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 37) or a control group (n = 33). The experimental group received an integrated programme with 28 home visits from coaches over a 6-month period. The control group received a placebo intervention. The primary outcome was fatigue at 9 months (3 months after intervention completion). Secondary outcomes were physical activity levels, physical activity self-efficacy, muscle strength and quality of life at 9 months, assessed at baseline, and 6 and 9 months after starting the intervention.
Results:
The experimental group reported significantly lower levels of cancer-related fatigue, higher levels of physical activity and physical activity self-efficacy, greater right- and left-hand grip strength and better quality of life than the control group at 9 months.
Conclusion:
The programme is effective and feasible to implement among children with cancer and offers an alternative means of ameliorating the healthcare burden.
Practice Implications:
Healthcare professionals should build multidisciplinary partnerships to sustain such programmes.
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