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Social and physical activity as rehabilitation for preschool kids with cancer-study protocol for a randomized
Anna Pouplier1, Martin Kaj Fridh1, Peter Schmidt-Andersen1,2
1Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Juliane Marie Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
This study tests a multimodal rehabilitation program to improve gross motor function in preschool children with cancer. The Social and Physical Activity as Rehabilitation for preschool Kids with cancer (SPARK) intervention combines hospital and home-based activities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Preschool children with cancer face developmental delays in motor, cognitive, personal, and social domains.
- Physical activity and play are crucial for development in this vulnerable population.
- Existing rehabilitation strategies may not adequately address these developmental needs during cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a 9-month multimodal intervention on gross motor function in preschool children with cancer.
- To compare a comprehensive intervention (hospital and home-based) with a hospital-only intervention.
- To explore the impact on parents' knowledge and children's general physical function.
Main Methods:
- A two-arm, randomized controlled superiority trial involving 82 preschool children (aged 1-5 years) diagnosed with cancer.
- Intervention group received hospital-based and home-based social/physical activities with parent education.
- Control group received hospital-based social/physical activities only.
- Primary outcome: gross motor function (PDMS-3) assessed at baseline, 6, 9, and 12 months.
Main Results:
- Data collection and analysis are ongoing; results are pending.
- The study is designed to detect a significant difference in gross motor function between the two groups.
- Qualitative data will explore experiences of children, parents, and professionals.
Conclusions:
- The SPARK intervention has the potential to significantly improve gross motor function and overall development in preschool children undergoing cancer treatment.
- This trial will provide valuable insights for optimizing rehabilitation programs for this population.
- Findings may inform clinical practice and future research in pediatric cancer rehabilitation.
Background:
Preschool children diagnosed with cancer are at risk of delays in motor, cognitive, personal, and social development, all of which are closely connected to being physically active and playing. This study protocol describes the rationale and methods for testing a multimodal intervention in a two-arm, randomized controlled superiority trial. The trial investigates the effect of a 9-month rehabilitation program incorporating physical activity at both the hospital and at home on gross motor function in preschool children diagnosed with cancer.
Methods:
The Social and Physical Activity as Rehabilitation for preschool Kids with cancer (SPARK) intervention includes the following components: 1) Supervised group-based social and physical activity at the hospital; 2) A parent educational program, and 3) Online supervised group-based social and physical activity in the families' homes. The group-based social and physical activity is conducted as structured active play. We will include 82 preschool children (aged 1-5 years), newly diagnosed with cancer, who will be randomly assigned on a 1:1 ratio to either group (a) or group (b). Group (a) will receive supervised group-based social and physical activity at the hospital (component 1), and group (b) will receive supervised group-based social and physical activity at the hospital, the parent education program, and online supervised group-based social and physical activity at home (component 1-3). The primary outcome is gross motor function measured using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Third Edition (PDMS-3). Secondary outcomes are parents' knowledge of physical activity and the children's general physical function. Assessments will be conducted at treatment initiation (baseline), and 6, 9 (primary endpoint), and 12 (follow-up) months after treatment initiation. Additionally, we will qualitatively explore the parents' and children's experiences, the rehabilitation program's potential for the children's social development, and the importance of professionals in facilitating structured social and physical activities.
Discussion:
We expect this study protocol to enhance clarity and transparency while providing insights for clinicians and researchers interested in the gross motor development of preschool children with cancer during treatment. By combining hospital-based and home-based social and physical activity with parental education, this trial has the potential to transform rehabilitation in preschoolers during cancer treatment.
