ArticleCancer nursing
Can Steps per Day Reflect Symptoms in Children and Adolescents Undergoing Cancer Treatment?
Article in Cancer nursing. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 20 citations in OpenAlex.
- Systematic review of patient-reported outcome item libraries in cancer research: an EORTC Quality of Life Group study.Journal of the National Cancer Institute · 2026Pooled it
- The Use of Wearable Devices in Oncology Patients: A Systematic Review.The oncologist · 2024Pooled it
- Measurements and Digital Technology Solutions to Monitor Physical Activity in Patients With Pediatric Cancer: Scoping Review.JMIR cancer · 2026Article
- Advancing Global Cancer Symptom Science: Insights and Strategies From the Inaugural Cancer Symptom Science Expert Meeting.Oncology nursing forum · 2025Article
- Advancing Global Cancer Symptom Science: Insights and Strategies from the Inaugural Cancer Symptom Science Expert Meeting.Seminars in oncology nursing · 2025Article
- Scoping review of the utilization of wearable devices in pediatric and young adult oncology.NPJ digital medicine · 2025Article
- Metabolomic Associations With Fatigue and Physical Function in Children With Cancer: A Pilot Study.Biological research for nursing · 2025Article
- Extended Reality Gaming for Exercise and Mindfulness Throughout Pediatric Cancer Rehabilitation: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR research protocols · 2024Article
- Physical activity and sleep changes among children during the COVID-19 pandemic.NPJ digital medicine · 2024Article
- Physical activity in 9-15 year-old pediatric cancer survivors compared to a nationwide sample.Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology · 2023Article
- Convergent Validity of the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System-Pediatric Physical Activity Instrument (PROMISChildren (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Article
- Analysis Method of Real-World Digital Biomarkers for Clinical Impact in Cancer Patients.Digital biomarkersArticle
- Symptoms, Physical Activity, and Biomarkers in Children at the End of Leukemia Maintenance Therapy.Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology nursingArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
11 authors at 1 institution in 3 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundMultiple symptoms occur in children receiving cancer therapy. Decreased steps per day may be associated with burdensome symptoms.
objectiveTo evaluate associations between self-reported symptoms (pain interference, anxiety, depressive symptoms, psychological stress, and fatigue) and function (physical function-mobility and physical activity) and cumulative symptom count with steps per day.
methodsFive sites enrolled English-speaking children, 8 to 17 years, receiving treatment for a first cancer diagnosis. Patient-reported outcome (PRO) surveys were administered before (T1) and after (T2) a course of chemotherapy. Garmin VivoFit 3 (Garmin International, Olathe, KS) accelerometers were worn 7 days prior to each data point. Univariate changes in scores over time were evaluated with dependent-sample t tests. Pearson correlations examined associations between PRO domains and step count. Multivariable mixed-effect models examined associations between steps and PROs.
resultsParticipants' (n = 65) steps per day decreased during treatment (4099 [T1] and 3135 [T2]; P < .01), with larger reductions observed during hospitalization and in younger children compared with adolescents. Steps significantly correlated with PROMIS (Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System) Pediatric physical activity and physical function-mobility. Decreased steps per day were associated with increased fatigue and cumulative symptom count.
conclusionsIn children and adolescents with cancer, steps per day can serve as an indicator of fatigue, cumulative symptom count, physical activity, and physical functioning-mobility. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Child self-reports of physical activity and physical function are valid during cancer therapy and should be captured. In the absence of self-report, decreasing step count may prompt additional assessments related to fatigue or cumulative symptom count and trigger early interventions to support physical activity and physical function-mobility.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.