Effective Implementation of the Physical Activity and Motor Skills Intervention for 3-6-year-old Children With Cancer (EMPOWER)

Summary

The study examines the association of digitally provided EMPOWER - exercise intervention on 3-6-year-old child's physical activity (PA), motor performance and quality of life (QoL) during and after cancer treatment. In addition, the factors that influence the feasibility of the intervention will be examined. The research is carried out in cooperation with Turku University of Applied Sciences, Turku and Tampere University Hospitals. Cancer treatments significantly reduce the amount of PA of the child impairing the normal motor development. Delay in normal motor development may cause childhood cancer survivors a higher risk of developing adverse health effects in adulthood. Data on children's PA and condition is collected using questionnaires and sensors. In addition, children's motor performance and QoL are examined through tests and questionnaires. The feasibility of the intervention will be examined from the parents and nursing staff through questionnaires and interviews.

Conditions

• Physical Activity During Cancer Treatment

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Digital tool for physical activity guidance and follow-up

Intervention length applied in this study varies according to participants cancer type and treatment period from 6 to 12 months. The intervention is carried out by mixed supervision. During the hospital visits supervision is carried out by experienced exercise physiotherapist together with the parents. During the home periods the supervision is carried out by EMPOWER mobile user interface. The recommended minimum three hours of PA a day for children consist of age appropriate activities of different ranges of intensity: 2 hours of light or brisk physical activity and one hour vigorous physical activity. Targeted single PA session duration is ≥30 min and the progression of the PA dose (exercise frequency, duration) and especially intensity, is expected to increase gradually up to 3 hours / day considering the child + parent self-evaluated daily condition.

BEHAVIORAL

Physical activity guidance

The intervention will be delivered by EMPOWER mobile UI for self reporting as well as guiding parents based on data. The application is adapted from an existing MyE.Way knowledge management system for holistic player development in team sports. EMPOWER mobile UI data collection and guidance system gives daily reminder to the parents about the daily PA recommendation. In addition, the families are provided with educational tips on useful games and activities leading to light, brisk, or vigorous PA. The tips are adjusted so that they can be completed during the cancer treatment either indoors or outdoors. The provided activities include education concerning the safety aspects regarding the child's cancer type and cancer treatment. As part of the intervention, children's daily pain, condition and exercise enjoyment, as well as child's readiness for exercise will be evaluated via the tool

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Turku University of Applied Sciences

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Tampere University Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• Turku University Hospital

  lead OTHER_GOV

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

3 Years

Max Age

6 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-03-01

Primary Completion

2028-08-31

Completion

2028-08-31