草莓污视频导航

Sept. 14, 2023

草莓污视频导航 study鈥檚 innovative approach supports kids and families staying active during cancer care

IMPACT examines implementation of online physical activity for young people with cancer
With IMPACT study participant Mira, 10, are Emma McLaughlin, seated, Nicole Culos-Reed, left, and Bridget Penney, right.
With IMPACT study participant Mira, 10, are Emma McLaughlin, seated, Nicole Culos-Reed, left, and Bridget Penney, right. Riley Brandt, 草莓污视频导航

Physical activity has positive outcomes for children and adolescents affected by cancer, helping them manage symptoms, enhance their physical and psychosocial well-being, and possibly extend how long they survive.

Despite the evidence, children often become inactive during treatment and there are currently no formalized exercise programs to support them.

To address this gap, Dr.聽Nicole Culos-Reed, PhD, professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology; Dr. Amanda Wurz, BA'11, MSc'14, PhD, assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology at University of the Fraser Valley; and the team in the have developed the . IMPACT (IMplementation of Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents on Treatment) is an individualized exercise program for any child or adolescent affected by cancer or blood disease who is receiving treatment (or has recently completed treatment) in Alberta. Consultations with international experts and local health-care providers and best evidence informed the development of IMPACT.

鈥淲e are offering a tailored approach to movement, not just saying to kids and parents, 鈥楬ere's the , go get active鈥! Instead, we are saying here's the resource to support you,鈥 says Culos-Reed.

IMPACT is delivered online, one-on-one over 12 weeks by an exercise specialist with specific training in paediatric cancer and exercise. The sessions range in length and intensity and are tailored to how the youngster is feeling.

"We have a protocol and elements that we generally want kids to do, but, if the child is feeling unwell, exercise might look like lying in bed stretching and sometimes it looks like getting up and moving,鈥 says Emma McLaughlin, MSc'21, exercise specialist and kinesiology PhD student supervised by Culos-Reed.

Eight-year-old Janine participated in the IMPACT study.

Eight-year-old Janine participated in the IMPACT study.

Diagnosed with leukemia in July 2021, Janine, now eight years old, was encouraged by her physiotherapist to participate in IMPACT. 鈥淒epending on where Janine was on treatment, her energy levels changed," explains Janine鈥檚 mom, Laura. "If she was tired, then activities were a little lower energy 鈥 or, if she felt like moving around and jumping, then that could happen, too. She could choose. It was great to have the whole activity just for her.

鈥淪he looked forward to the sessions all week. It was great because it was tailored to her interests. She loves princesses and Moana and 贵谤辞锄别苍,听so that was incorporated in the session to keep her engaged.鈥澛

Shortening the gap between research and care

Traditionally, there is a focus on ensuring research occurs in ideal conditions before translation into practice. As a result, it often takes a significant amount of time between research findings and uptake of those findings.

To shorten the gap, IMPACT designed an implementation-effectiveness trial. The study takes place in a real-world setting with modifications made through quality-improvement cycles along the way. 鈥淲e're not only trying to generate evidence, but bring this resource to kids and families sooner,鈥 says Culos-Reed. 鈥淲e're really trying to change the culture of cancer care. We want movement to be part of the care plan right away.鈥澛

Throughout the process, the study team interviews health-care providers, exercise specialists, and kids and families participating in IMPACT.

鈥淲e are trying to understand many different perspectives so we can learn as we go and build on the program and study,鈥 says McLaughlin. "We want to ensure the program is beneficial for kids first and foremost, but also ensure it鈥檚 not too time-consuming for health-care providers. We also and want the exercise professionals to feel equipped and empowered. This way we can feed the best evidence right back into the trial."

Bridget Penney says IMPACT is helping boost Mira鈥檚 confidence. The exercise shows her what she can do.

Bridget Penney says IMPACT is helping boost Mira鈥檚 confidence. The exercise shows her what she can do.

Riley Brandt, 草莓污视频导航

Relationship-building through personalized care and play

Children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer are often pulled out of everything 鈥 school, social life, activities they love. One of the many benefits of the IMPACT design is its ability to offer an individualized, tailored approach to each child鈥檚 needs.聽

鈥淲e want to empower kids and get them back that sense of control. That's something exercise can do,鈥 says Culos-Reed. 鈥淜ids and families are thrown into a system and everything is a whirlwind. When we can give kids the option to engage in exercise they choose to do, it's in their control.鈥 聽

Adds McLaughlin: 鈥淢aking movement fun is what I love to see. We build a friendship. Seeing the kids progress and be confident, sharing they are able to do something that they haven't been able to do since they've been on treatment, that is a motivating piece for me.鈥 聽

Lorna reflects on her overall experience with IMPACT: 鈥淚 think one of the best parts was the bond Janine created. It wasn't just a study, or trial, or just some activity that was part of her treatment that she had to do. It was something she looked forward to. It not only helped with her with her cancer 鈥 but was an extra special activity, just for her.鈥 聽

Through play, empowerment and building confidence, the study team hopes the program will help young people realize physical activity can be fun and something they want to do for the rest of their treatment and their life beyond.

The study is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Kids Cancer Care Foundation through the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute at the Cumming School of Medicine. Currently at the Alberta Children鈥檚 Hospital in Calgary and the Stollery Children鈥檚 Hospital in Edmonton, the IMPACT study team has plans to expand across Canada.

Nicole Culos-Reed is a professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and a professor in the Department of Oncology at the Cumming School of Medicine. She is a member of the , the , and the .

Child Health and Wellness

The 草莓污视频导航聽is driving science and innovation to transform the health and well-being of children and families. Led by the, top scientists across campus are partnering with聽, the聽, and our community to create a better future for children through research.

The Calgary Cancer Centre Campaign is on a mission to by raising $250 million in support of improved research, treatment and care at Calgary鈥檚 new world-class Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre. This game-changing initiative is backed by three trusted community institutions: Alberta Health Services, Canada鈥檚 first and largest fully integrated provincial health system; 草莓污视频导航, a globally recognized leader in medical research and home to tomorrow鈥檚 health-care professionals; and the , the official fundraising partner for all 17 cancer-care centres across the province. Currently under construction, the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre鈥嬧嬧嬧 will open its doors in 2023 as the largest, most comprehensive cancer centre in Canada.


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