title: Effects of a 6-Month, Group-Based, Therapeutic Exercise Program for Childhood Cancer Outpatients on Motor Performance, Level of Activity, and Quality of Life.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exercise interventions in pediatric oncology are feasible and safe. However, scarce data are available with regard to the effectiveness of outpatient, group-based exercise interventions. As well, the potential role of exercise to improve motor performance has not been adequately explored despite being a meaningful outcome during childhood with important implications for physical activity behavior. No study has yet demonstrated significant changes in motor performance after an exercise intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  This explorative, prospective study was designed to evaluate the effects of a 6-month, group-based, therapeutic exercise program for a mixed childhood cancer population on motor performance, level of activity, and quality of life. After cessation of inpatient medical treatment, childhood cancer outpatients aged 4-17 years exercised once a week during a 6-month period (IG). Comparison groups included childhood cancer outpatients receiving care as usual (CG(1)), as well as healthy peers (matched to IG by age and gender) (CG(2)).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall motor performance, various motor dimensions, activity in sport clubs and school sports, as well as physical and emotional well-being were significantly reduced in the IG at baseline. Significant differences between the IG and CG(1) and/or CG(2) were identified in the change of overall motor performance, single motor dimensions, overall level of activity, and emotional well-being from baseline to post-intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The exercise intervention was beneficial in terms of motor performance, level of activity, and emotional well-being. As such, this study provides support for group-based exercise as a potential strategy to improve these outcomes after inpatient medical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beulertz
authors.affiliation: Municipal Clinics of Cologne, Clinic for Children and Youth Medicine, Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Childreńs Hospital Amsterdamer Straße, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Aram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prokop
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rustler
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Wilhelm
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bloch
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Epidemiology (IMSIE), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Moritz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Felsch
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Sport Medicine, Institute of Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Freerk T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Baumann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004644:Emotions; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010045:Outpatients; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011788:Quality of Life
keywords: activity; childhood cancer; motor performance; pediatric oncology; quality of life