Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Adhesion of Children and Adolescents Treated for Cancer to Personalized Support in Adapted Physical Activity Program

This study, based at Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, aims to understand why some children and teenagers with cancer stick with specially adapted physical activity (APA) programmes and others don't. These programmes, led by trained professionals, are already part of care for newly diagnosed or relapsed young patients. The research will use questionnaires, including ones about quality of life, to find out what motivates children and parents, and what challenges they face. This is checked at the start of the programme and again after 4 to 6 months. The main goal is to find ways to help more young patients stay active throughout their treatment and beyond, making these important support programmes more effective.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

University Hospital, Grenoble

Enrolment target

Start

16 Feb 2024

Estimated completion

31 Aug 2026

Childhood Cancer Adapted Physical Activity

What is this study about?

When children and teenagers are diagnosed with cancer, staying active can be really important for their health and well-being. At Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, children and young people receiving care for cancer are offered special exercise programmes, led by trained professionals. These programmes are tailored just for them.

This study wants to understand how we can help young patients and their families keep taking part in these exercise programmes for a long time. Researchers believe that if we know what makes it easy to stay involved, and what gets in the way, we can make the programmes even better and more helpful. This means more children and teenagers can get the benefits of staying active during their treatment.

The study will ask both children (if they're old enough) and their parents questions about their thoughts and feelings towards the exercise programme. They'll ask about things that make them want to take part, and things that might stop them. They'll also check in on how the child's quality of life is. This will happen when the programme starts and then again a few months later. The information gathered will be used to create better ways to support young patients and their families, helping them stick with these valuable exercise programmes.

Key takeaways

The study aims to improve long-term participation in exercise for young cancer patients.
It will ask children and parents about motivations and challenges for adapted physical activity.
Participation involves answering questionnaires at two points in time.
The findings could lead to better support tools for staying active during cancer treatment.
There are no new treatments or additional exercise sessions for this study.

Who may be eligible?

This study is open to children and teenagers aged between 3 and 17 years old who are receiving cancer treatment at Grenoble Alpes University Hospital. They can be newly diagnosed with cancer or be experiencing a relapse, and should not have been in an adapted physical activity programme before.

The study includes young patients with different types of cancer, such as blood cancers, brain tumours, or other solid tumours. It doesn't matter what specific treatment path they are on. For those over 5 years old, it's important that both the patient and their parents understand French.

However, some children won't be able to join. This includes if a doctor has said that physical activity is not safe for them due to other health issues, like a heart condition that isn't stable or diabetes that isn't controlled. Also, if parents or the child (if old enough) don't want to take part after hearing about the study, they won't be included.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is your child aged between 3 and 17 years old?
Is your child receiving care at Grenoble Alpes University Hospital?
Has your child been newly diagnosed with cancer or had a relapse (and not been in an APA programme before)?
Do you and your child (if over 5) understand French?
Has a doctor confirmed there are no medical reasons preventing your child from exercising?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, your child will continue with the adapted physical activity sessions offered by the hospital, which are led by a trained professional. This is part of the standard care your child receives. The main extra activity for the study will be answering some questionnaires.

You and your child (if they are over 5 years old) will be asked to fill out questionnaires at two different times. The first time will be when your child starts the adapted physical activity programme, usually at diagnosis or if their cancer has returned. The second time will be after your child has been in the programme for about 4 to 6 months. These questionnaires will ask about what encourages you and your child to take part, and what might make it difficult. Some questions will also cover your child's quality of life. There will be no additional visits or medication involved, and the total duration of your participation in the study's data collection will be around 4 to 6 months.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could help future children and teenagers with cancer by improving how adapted physical activity programmes are offered, making them more enjoyable and easier to stick with. There are likely no direct medical benefits to your child from being in the study itself, as the questionnaires are simply to gather information. There are also very few risks, as participation mainly involves filling out questionnaires, which might take a little extra time. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your child's medical care in any way.

Locations (1)

CHU Grenoble Alpes
Verified postcode
Grenoble, France

Common questions

What is 'Adapted Physical Activity (APA)'?

APA is an exercise programme specially designed for children and teenagers with cancer, led by a trained professional, to suit their individual needs and abilities.

Will my child have to do extra exercise for the study?

No, your child will continue with the APA sessions already offered as part of their standard care. The study mainly involves answering questionnaires.

How long will I be involved in the study?

Your involvement in the study's data collection will be for about 4 to 6 months, answering questionnaires at the start and then again a few months later.

What happens to the information we provide?

The information will help researchers understand how to make APA programmes better and easier for young patients to stick with in the future.

Can I stop participating in the study at any time?

Yes, you are completely free to stop taking part in the study at any point without it affecting your child's medical care.