Childhood cancer survivors' and their parents' experiences with participation in a physical and social intervention during cancer treatment: A RESPECT study

Abstract

Aims This study explores experiences of childhood cancer survivors and their parents with a combined physical and social activity intervention during treatment, including how the survivors and their parents perceive physical activity post‐treatment. Design A process evaluation using semi‐structured interviews. Methods Using a criterion‐sampling strategy, 18 Danish childhood cancer survivors (aged 11–18 years) and their parents were interviewed from September 2019 through May 2020. Data analysis used an inductive thematic approach focused on meaning. Results Three themes emerged: (1) being physically active during hospitalization; (2) peers as motivators and (3) physical activity post‐treatment. During hospitalization, daily motivation to do physical activity was dependent on the daily well‐being, that is, presence of the side effects from the child's treatment. Healthy classmates provided distraction, reduced loneliness and promoted normality for those hospitalized. For most of the survivors, their healthy peers provided motivation for being physically active during treatment. When surplus energy was lacking, some survivors preferred doing physical activity alone with a professional. Those who were physically active in the hospital sustained being physically active post‐treatment while their parents continued seeking advice about appropriate activity levels. Conclusion Childhood cancer survivors and their parents benefited from the intervention which also provided guidance to remaining physically active post‐treatment. This was particularly true for the participants with leukaemia. Impact Healthcare professionals should support children with cancer to be physically active during hospitalization. Including social and physical components in their care plan and being aware of individual preferences is pivotal to improving the survivors' level of physical and social well‐being during and post‐treatment. Patient or Public Contribution The participants were involved in designing the interview guides to ensure that the interview guides were understandable for the participants to provide rich descriptions of their experiences with a physical and social activity intervention during hospitalization.

Effects of strength exercise interventions on activities of daily living, motor performance, and physical activity in children and adolescents with leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Results from the randomized controlled ActiveADL Study

“…Positive effects of exercise interventions during pediatric cancer treatment have been demonstrated regarding increased functional mobility ( 40 ), muscle strength ( 16 ), health-related quality of life ( 43 ), and decreased cancer-related fatigue level ( 44 ). Childhood cancer survivors and their parents also reported the importance of being physically active during hospitalization through a combined intervention of physical and social activities and with the motivation of peers ( 45 ). However, it is not clearly investigated from which training content patients benefit the most to ensure functionality and autonomy in everyday acute therapy.…”

Physical activity during childhood cancer treatment: survivors want it, parents want it, peers can facilitate it

“…The Petersen study4 explored experiences of Danish childhood cancer survivors and their parents’ with a physical and social intervention during treatment, and the impact post-treatment. The qualitative study performed 36 semistructured interviews on 18 survivor-parent dyads, for survivors aged 11–18 years old, >1 year post-treatment and completed the REhabilitation including Social and Physical Activity and Education in Children and Teenagers with Cancer (RESPECT) Study during hospitalisation.…”

“…Adult cancers have prescriptive guidelines endorsing exercise,2 however, recent paediatric oncology guidelines are more general, suggesting survivors of all ages, cancer types and treatment phases, ‘move more’ across hospital, community and school settings 3. Engaging childhood patients with cancer to become active is in critical need, which is addressed by Petersen et al 4…”

Telepresence robotic technology support for social connectedness during treatment of children with cancer

“…Studies suggest that school reintegration programs and supportive interventions before returning to school benefit children with cancer (Bonneau et al, 2011; Galan et al, 2021; Ingersgaard et al, 2021) but few evidence‐based interventions exist that facilitate peer support or school re‐entry (Helms et al, 2016). Regular contact with peers during treatment can also reduce the apprehension of returning to school (Ingersgaard et al, 2021; Petersen et al, 2022; Wilkie, 2012). In Denmark, the child with cancer's academic development during treatment is satisfied through homeschooling; however, it cannot replace peer‐mediated school experiences that offer bonding and social connectedness and normalcy (Danske‐Patienter, 2016; Retsinformation, 2014).…”