Acceptability and functional benefits of a health promotion program in pediatric oncology: a mixed-methods study

Background The increasing number of childhood cancer survivors and their well-established risk of cancer-related morbidity strongly support the need for effective health promotion (HP) programs. Existing literature suggests that HP interventions may support behaviour change and reduce the severity of some adverse effects associated with cancer and its treatments. However, uncertainty remains regarding the acceptability of these interventions to families during the cancer journey and their effectiveness in improving children's functional outcomes. This study aimed to assess the acceptability of a HP program from the perspective of families affected by cancer and to explore whether participation in the program was associated with improved functional outcomes compared to standard care. Methods A mixed-methods study was used. Acceptability was assessed through questionnaires completed by parents ( n = 30) and a semi-structured exit interviews conducted with a subgroup of adolescents ( n = 6) and parents ( n = 12) who participated in the program. Preliminary effectiveness on functional outcomes was evaluated using an age-appropriate performance-based assessment [Movement ABC-2 (MABC-2) or Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS)] administered to children and adolescents ( n = 45) in the intervention group and compared with a control group that received standard care ( n = 29). Results The HP program was perceived as acceptable and positively influenced participants’ experiences during the cancer journey. Families described the program as supportive, motivating, and emotionally meaningful. However, no statistically significant differences in functional outcomes were observed between the intervention and control group. Conclusion Preliminary findings support the acceptability of implementing a HP program in a pediatric oncology clinical setting and suggest that a full-scale trial is warranted. Further research is needed to better understand how HP interventions can be optimized to improve functional outcomes among children and adolescents affected by cancer.