ArticleFrontiers in pediatrics2026
Feasibility, uptake, and exploratory outcomes of an individualized exercise program in pediatric oncology: a prospective single-center pilot study.
Article in Frontiers in pediatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Introduction: Exercise interventions may help mitigate treatment-related physical impairment in pediatric oncology, but implementation in routine care remains challenging, particularly during active treatment and in heterogeneous patient cohorts. Patients: This prospective single-center pilot study evaluated an individualized exercise program for children and adolescents aged 4-17 years undergoing cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: The program combined supervised in-hospital exercise, personalized home-based training, and an optional video-based SMART-Sport component introduced from month 3. The primary focus was feasibility, uptake, safety, and acceptability. Motor performance, six-minute walk distance, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and neuropsychological functioning were assessed at baseline and six months as secondary exploratory outcomes. Results: Twenty participants were enrolled; 15 completed at least one six-month follow-up assessment. Overall, 348 of 583 scheduled in-hospital exercise opportunities were attended, corresponding to a scheduled-session attendance of 59.7% using a conservative denominator. No serious program-related adverse event occurred. Movement diaries were available for 15 participants and documented 361 home-training sessions, of which 262 (72.6%) occurred during the first three months. Four participants documented use of SMART-Sport, completing 14 sessions. Exploratory complete-case analyses showed nominal within-participant improvements in hand-eye coordination, reaction time, six-minute walk distance, and selected HRQoL domains. Neuropsychological findings were inconclusive. Discussion: The findings support the feasibility and safety of supervised individualized in-hospital exercise under the conditions of a specialized pediatric oncology center with a dedicated sports therapist. Feasibility was component-specific: home-training documentation decreased over time, and uptake of the optional video-based component was limited. Conclusion: This pilot study provides preliminary implementation data supporting further development of individualized exercise programs in pediatric oncology. Exploratory outcome findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in larger controlled studies.
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