Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41351152›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2025

Smart exercise in pediatric oncology: enhancing executive functions through cognitively challenging physical activity- a non-randomized controlled trial.

Ann Christin Schneider, Lisa Hillebrecht, Lars Rehbein, Julia Schmid, Sabine Pallivathukal, Nicolas von der Weid, Rhoikos Furtwängler, Regula Everts Brekenfeld, Jeanette Greiner, Christina Schindera and 2 more

Registry-linked trialAbstract readClinical Trial Protocol
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06839794 (An Investigator Initiated, Non-randomized Controlled Trial on the Effect of Cognitively Challenging Physical Activity on Executive Functions in Paediatric Cancer Patients), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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.

NCT06839794 narecruitingnot on this map

An Investigator Initiated, Non-randomized Controlled Trial on the Effect of Cognitively Challenging Physical Activity on Executive Functions in Paediatric Cancer Patients

TypeinterventionalSponsorUniversity of BernRan2025 to 2028Enrolled70ConditionsChildhood Cancer, Cancer-related Problem/Condition, Cognitive Side Effects of Cancer Therapy, Physical ActivityArmsCognitively challenging physical activity for paediatric cancer patients, Physical activity recommendations
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Ann Christin SchneiderInstitute of Sport Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. ann.schneider@unibe.ch.
Lisa HillebrechtDepartment of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Lars RehbeinInstitute of Sport Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Julia SchmidInstitute of Sport Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Sabine PallivathukalDepartment of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Nicolas von der WeidDepartment of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Rhoikos FurtwänglerDepartment of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Regula Everts BrekenfeldDivision of Neuropediatrics, Development and Rehabilitation, Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Jeanette GreinerDepartment of Pediatric Haematology/Oncology, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland.
Christina SchinderaDepartment of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Eva Katharina Brack *Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Valentin Benzing *Institute of Sport Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

Funding

Krebsliga Schweiz KLS-5951-08-2023
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionChildren and adolescents, diagnosed with cancer, frequently develop physical and cognitive impairments. Hence, cancer and its treatments contribute to reduced physical activity (PA) and cognitive impairments, particularly in executive functions (EFs). Research indicates that PA in school children improves EFs, with cognitively challenging PA offering potential additional benefits. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of cognitively challenging PA during acute cancer care on cognitive and physical performance, as well as mental health.

methodsThis prospective, two-arm, non-randomized, multicenter controlled study will take place at four pediatric oncology centers in Switzerland. In the intervention group the effect of cognitively challenging PA (n = 35) will be compared with standard care plus PA recommendations in the control group (n = 35) in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with cancer aged 6-17.99 years. The twelve-week cognitively challenging PA intervention consists of three-weekly 45-minute individualized and supervised sessions incorporating cognitive elements. Assessments of EFs, motor abilities, cardiovascular health, health-related quality of life, fatigue, and physical and psychosocial functioning will be conducted at baseline, six weeks, twelve weeks, and a six month follow-up. All participants in the intervention and control group will receive PA recommendations during the intervention period and an offer for post-therapy PA counseling. DISCUSSION: Childhood is a crucial period for brain and motor development, rendering young cancer patients especially vulnerable to cognitive and physical impairments from the disease and its treatment. This study is the first to implement cognitively challenging PA tailored to pediatric cancer patients with the aim to enhance EFs by activating brain networks responsible for higher-order processes, physical performance and mental health. The findings will provide insights into the role of cognitively challenging PA and explore its integration into standard care to improve quality of life for childhood cancer survivors.

trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06839794) and German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS00036573).

Indexed as

Cognitive DysfunctionExecutive FunctionExerciseExercise TherapyNeoplasmsAdolescentChildCognitionFemaleHumansMaleMulticenter Studies as TopicNon-Randomized Controlled Trials as TopicProspective StudiesQuality of LifeSwitzerlandChildren with cancerCognitionExerciseIntervention

Identifiers

PMID41351152
PMCPMC12809967

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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.