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Effect of virtual reality-based exercise intervention on sleep quality in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Müberra Tanriverdi1, Erkan Cakir2, Muhammed Emin Akkoyunlu3

  • 1Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Palliative & Supportive Care
|March 15, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Virtual reality-based exercise (VRBE) improved sleep quality in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and their healthy siblings. This intervention offers a novel approach to managing sleep disorders in pediatric cancer patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Rehabilitation

Background:

  • Sleep quality is crucial for children's quality of life, particularly those with chronic illnesses like cancer.
  • Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) often experience sleep disturbances.
  • Assessing sleep quality in pediatric cancer patients is essential for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate changes in sleep quality in children with ALL off-treatment.
  • To investigate the impact of virtual reality-based exercise (VRBE) on sleep in these children.
  • To compare sleep quality between ALL patients and healthy siblings.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 38 participants (24 ALL patients, 14 healthy siblings).
  • Participants underwent polysomnography and completed the Children's Sleep Habit Questionnaire before and after a 12-week intervention.
  • The intervention group received VRBE (Nintendo Wii Fit Plus®) twice weekly, while the control group received supportive care.

Main Results:

  • Before intervention, ALL patients and healthy siblings showed similar sleep quality.
  • After 12 weeks, the VRBE group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in total sleep time, respiratory disturbance index, apnea/hypopnea index, and number of apneas.
  • VRBE positively impacted sleep parameters in both ALL patients and healthy siblings.

Conclusions:

  • Virtual reality-based exercise is a promising intervention for improving sleep quality in children with ALL.
  • VRBE can benefit both pediatric cancer patients and their healthy siblings, suggesting broader applicability.
  • Further research is needed to compare VRBE with other interventions for pediatric sleep disorders.
Abstract

Keywords:
Acute lymphoblastic leukemiaExercise therapyPediatricsSleep disordersVirtual reality

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