Smart exercise in pediatric oncology: enhancing executive functions through cognitively challenging physical activity– a non-randomized controlled trial

Introduction Children and adolescents, diagnosed with cancer, frequently develop physical and cognitive impairments. Hence, cancer and its treatments contribute to reduced physical activity (PA) and cognitive impairments, particularly in executive functions (EFs). Research indicates that PA in school children improves EFs, with cognitively challenging PA offering potential additional benefits. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of cognitively challenging PA during acute cancer care on cognitive and physical performance, as well as mental health. Methods This prospective, two-arm, non-randomized, multicenter controlled study will take place at four pediatric oncology centers in Switzerland. In the intervention group the effect of cognitively challenging PA ( n = 35) will be compared with standard care plus PA recommendations in the control group ( n = 35) in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with cancer aged 6-18-years. The twelve-week cognitively challenging PA intervention consists of three-weekly 45-minute individualized and supervised sessions incorporating cognitive elements. Assessments of EFs, motor abilities, cardiovascular health, health-related quality of life, fatigue, and physical and psychosocial functioning will be conducted at baseline, six weeks, twelve weeks, and a six month follow-up. All participants in the intervention and control group will receive PA recommendations during the intervention period and an offer for post-therapy PA counselling. Discussion Childhood is a crucial period for brain and motor development, rendering young cancer patients especially vulnerable to cognitive and physical impairments from the disease and its treatment. This study is the first to implement cognitively challenging PA tailored to pediatric cancer patients with the aim to enhance EFs by activating brain networks responsible for higher-order processes, physical performance and mental health. The findings will provide insights into the role of cognitively challenging PA and explore its integration into standard care to improve quality of life for childhood cancer survivors. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06839794) German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS00036573)