Effects on Functional Mobility, Cancer-Related Fatigue, and Muscle Strength Outcomes in Children and Adolescents...

This study evaluated the effects of a 12-week home-based physical activity program on functional mobility, cancer-related fatigue, and muscle strength in children and adolescents with cancer undergoing active treatment. The uncontrolled clinical trial included 25 participants (14 boys), aged 4-14 years, who utilized physical activity notebooks (Physical Activity Journals 1 for ages 4-11/Physical Activity Journal 2 for ages 12-14). Functional mobility, assessed using the Timed Up and Go test, demonstrated a significant reduction in time (P < .001) in the per-protocol analysis, whereas the intention-to-treat analysis showed no significant differences (P > .1). Cancer-related fatigue, measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, revealed significant reductions in total fatigue scores for both per-protocol (P = .038) and intention-to-treat (P = .039) analyses. Although no statistical differences were observed in the sleep, mental, or general fatigue domains, a clinically meaningful reduction in fatigue symptoms was identified. Muscle strength, evaluated with a portable dynamometer, displayed statistically significant improvements in specific muscle groups in both per-protocol and intention-to-treat analyses. In conclusion, the home-based intervention using activity notebooks effectively improved functional mobility, reduced fatigue in certain domains, and enhanced muscle strength, yielding important clinical benefits for this population.