IMPACT OF ORGANIZED PHYSICAL EXERCISE ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND FATIGUE IN
CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH CANCER
Abstract
Background: Children and adolescents with cancer are at risk of a poor
health-related quality of life. Exercise interventions to enhance
movement may be a valid strategy for managing some symptoms, including
fatigue. Methods: Forty-four consecutive patients (20 females; aged 5-21
years old, median 15.5 years), without any contraindications
significantly limiting their movements were invited to join an
in-hospital 6-week supervised exercise program, and asked afterwards to
complete the PedsQL-4.0 quality of life Generic Core Scales and the
PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. The program consisted of
personalized workout sessions of aerobic, resistance and flexibility
exercises. The results obtained on the scales were compared between
patients who engaged in the exercise program (GYM group, n=21) and those
who did not (No-GYM, n=23), with the aim of examining the different
dimensions of health-related quality of life (physical, emotional,
cognitive, social) and fatigue (general, sleep/rest, cognitive)
comparing the two groups. Results: For 43 of 44 patients, being
diagnosed with cancer initially prompted a drop-out from previous
physical exercise or sports routines despite no contraindications to
their continuation. After 6 weeks, the scores for patients in the GYM
group showed a statistically significant better perceived emotional
functioning, and a possible indication of improved social functioning
compared with the No-GYM group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that
to exercise improves the satisfaction of children and adolescents with
cancer with their physical, mental and social functioning. It is worth
further investigating the value of systematically including exercise
workouts in their routine cancer practices.