Key result
New protocol outlines planned evaluation of cardiotoxic cancer therapy impact on pediatric physical activity.
Why the study?
Cardiotoxic childhood cancer therapy can affect muscle strength and heart function, potentially reducing physical activity, but determinants of physical activity levels in these patients remain to be identified.
Does cancer treatment involving cardiotoxic risk factors reduce physical activity levels in pediatric oncological patients compared to non-cardiotoxic treatment?
Cross-Sectional (n=300)
Yes
Does cancer treatment involving cardiotoxic risk factors reduce physical activity levels in pediatric oncological patients compared to non-cardiotoxic treatment?
This study protocol outlines a cross-sectional investigation to identify determinants of physical activity levels and exercise capacity in pediatric cancer survivors treated with cardiotoxic therapies.
Leaves open cardiotoxic therapy's effect on activity in survivors; protocol may generate hypotheses for future trials.
BACKGROUND: Childhood cancer and its therapy, especially that involving potentially cardiotoxic cancer treatment, can structurally affect muscle strength and heart function, and therefore may result in lowered physical activity (PA). This study protocol aims to find the significant determinants of PA levels in pediatric oncological patients 1-5 years after heart-toxic chemotherapy and/or radiation of the heart region. METHODS: The study group will include children 1-5 years after completing cancer therapy involving cardiotoxicity risk factors. The primary outcome of interest is the PA measured with an ActiGraph GT3X Accelerometer for 14 consecutive days and the assessment of WHO pediatric age-adjusted PA norms achievement. Assessed PA levels will be evaluated according to the possible determinants of PA: disease/treatment related risk factors, treatment complications, possible complications after the treatment, cardiac function with echocardiography including 2D and 3D strain imaging, physical function and muscle strength in ALPHA (Assessing Levels of Physical Activity) health-related fitness test battery and exercise capacity in cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The self-efficacy and motivation to PA, quality of life (QoL), lifestyle, socio-demographic, and anthropogenic factors as well as knowledge about the positive impact of PA will be evaluated with original and validated questionnaires. The PA determinants of the study group will be compared to the results of the control group of children in the same follow-up period (> 1 year < 5 years) after completing cancer therapy without cardiotoxic methods. DISCUSSION: The results may contribute to the development of future recommendations on prophylactic and therapeutic approaches, as well as proper lifestyle recommendations for children in long-term follow-up after cardiotoxic cancer therapy. The determinants will be used to develop targeted exercise prescriptions and exercise programs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT06256068.
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Haponiuk-Skwarlińska et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Pediatric cancer (n=300). Cardiotoxic cancer therapy vs. Cancer therapy without cardiotoxic methods was evaluated on Physical activity level measured by accelerometer and achievement of WHO pediatric age-adjusted PA norms. Cardiotoxic cancer therapy's impact on physical activity levels in pediatric oncological patients 1 to 5 years post-treatment will be evaluated in this cross-sectional study protocol.
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