Premium
Level of activity in children undergoing cancer treatment
Author(s) -
Winter Corinna,
Müller Carsten,
Brandes Mirko,
Brinkmann Anja,
Hoffmann Christiane,
Hardes Jendrik,
Gosheger Georg,
Boos Joachim,
Rosenbaum Dieter
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.22055
Subject(s) - medicine , cancer , physical activity , blood cancer , pediatric cancer , psychological intervention , pediatric oncology , pediatrics , oncology , physical therapy , psychiatry
Abstract Background The diagnosis of cancer bears severe implications for pediatric patients. One immense restriction consists in a reduced level of activity due to different factors. Physical activity affects various aspects of development and can be regarded as an essential part of a child's life. In the present study physical activity in patients undergoing cancer therapy was quantified in order to determine the extent of the restriction and to provide baseline information for the assessment of possible interventions. Procedure Physical activity in 80 patients and 45 healthy children matched for age and gender was measured using the StepWatch 3™ Activity Monitor (SAM, OrthoCare Innovations). Results Pediatric cancer patients, at 2,787 gait cycles (gcs) per day, were significantly less active than their healthy counterparts (8,096 gcs). Patients were significantly more active at home than during inpatient stays (3,185 gcs compared to 1,830 gcs), and patients with bone tumors were less active than those with leukemia regarding both, the amount (1,849 gcs vs. 2,992 gcs) and the intensity of activity. Conclusion The present study quantified an often observed but so far hardly assessable problem. Activity in cancer patients is considerably reduced and patients with bone tumors are at increased risk from the detrimental effects of prolonged inactivity. Both our findings and the accepted fact that activity is an essential element of child development confirm the need for interventions tailored to a patient's needs and abilities during the course of treatment. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:438–443. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.