NCT07488494

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

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Turku University Hospital · Other Government
• Sex: All
• Age: 3 Years – 6 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

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.

Detailed description

The previous exercise guidelines for children with cancer indicate that physical activity is advisable during cancer treatments. However, it has been noted that while the effects of exercise interventions on various health variables in children with cancer have been found effective, there is a recognized need to further investigate the barriers of exercise interventions. The research project will gather new empirical data, thus providing opportunities for understand implementation of evidence-based recommendations in the studied context. The objectives are: 1) to investigate the association of planned technology-enhanced exercise guidance on child's physical activity, motor performance and quality of life during the cancer treatment and 6 and 12 months after the intensive treatment period 2) to investigate, which factors have effect on exercise intervention's acceptability, fidelity, sustainability and feasibility. In order to reach these objectives, EMPOWER sets the following research questions for itself: 1. What factors affect the feasibility and the acceptability of an intervention improving physical activity and motor skills of 3-6-year-old children with cancer? 2. What factors affect the degree to which an intervention improving physical activity and motor skills during the cancer treatment on 3-6-year-old children, was implemented as prescribed or intended (Fidelity) 3. What factors affect the sustainability of an intervention improving physical activity and motor skills of 3-6-year-old children with cancer? 4. What is the association of intervention on physical activity and motor performance of children aged 3-6 years? 5. What is the association of intervention on daily condition, and quality of life of children aged 3-6 years? This study addresses the following main hypothesis: Physical exercise during cancer treatment enables a child to keep PA level and motor performance age-appropriate at the end of cancer treatment. Another hypothesis is that support and guidance to the nursing staff and care givers on the significance of and methods of implementing the PA intervention, will enhance the intervention's fidelity and acceptability, feasibility and sustainability. Additionally, a hypothesis is that feedback on the child's condition during the treatment period will encourage and help the child and her guardians to implement the PA intervention during treatment. A further hypothesis is that physical exercise will not worsen the child's condition and quality of life during and after cancer treatment but might even promote them.

Conditions

• Physical Activity During Cancer Treatment

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
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

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-03-01
• Primary completion: 2028-08-31
• Completion: 2028-08-31
• First posted: 2026-03-23
• Last updated: 2026-03-23