Group Physical Activity Intervention for Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study.
BACKGROUND
Inadequate physical activity (PA) in childhood cancer survivors may lead to compromised health outcomes. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility and effect of a PA intervention in childhood cancer survivors ages 8-12 who report < 1 hour of moderate-to-vigorous physical (MVPA) per day.


METHODS
Twenty survivors were randomized to a 6-month group PA intervention or to a control group. A pre/post measure of MVPA was completed by all participants, and a pre/post measure of self-efficacy was completed by the intervention group. Analysis included measures of feasibility, change in percentage of awake time spent in MVPA, self-efficacy scores, and correlations in MVPA and self-efficacy.


RESULTS
All feasibility parameters were confirmed. Increases in percent of awake time spent in MVPA were seen in 67% of the intervention group and 14% of the control group. A medium effect size (r = 0.55) was calculated for the correlation between change in MVPA and change in total self-efficacy scores; the largest effect size (r = 0.62) was found for the subscale for adequacy.


CONCLUSIONS
Increases in MVPA can be seen in childhood cancer survivors who participate in a group intervention that includes support of self-efficacy.
Dept of Pediatric Oncology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
Kathy
K
Ruble
Susan
S
Scarvalone
Lisa
L
Gallicchio
Catherine
C
Davis
Diane
D
Wells
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome