Game-Based Physical Activity for Childhood Cancer Survivors

Overseen By Danielle Friedman, MD

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Severe asthma, Coronary artery disease, Musculoskeletal defects, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a fun, game-based exercise plan can help childhood cancer survivors become more active and improve their quality of life. Participants will use a Fitbit to track their steps while engaging in these activities with a parent or caregiver. The trial seeks childhood cancer survivors who completed treatment at least two years ago, are not currently exercising for at least 30 minutes a day, and are willing to participate with a parent or legal guardian.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to innovative research that could enhance the well-being of childhood cancer survivors.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the study team or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this game-based exercise plan is safe for childhood cancer survivors?

Research has shown that game-based physical activities are generally safe for children who have survived cancer. A small initial study specifically designed these programs for them and found they were both popular and safe. Other studies on exercise for young cancer survivors indicate it can boost fitness and lessen long-term side effects of cancer treatment. Active video games, in particular, improved endurance, enhanced quality of life, and reduced cancer-related tiredness. These findings suggest that game-based exercises are not only safe but also offer many benefits for childhood cancer survivors. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about game-based physical activity for childhood cancer survivors because it offers a fun, engaging way to promote exercise, which is crucial for long-term health. Unlike traditional physical therapy or exercise programs that can feel routine and less motivating, this approach leverages gaming elements to encourage active participation. By using wearable technology like the Fitbit, participants can track their progress in real-time, making it easier to stay committed and motivated. This innovative method could transform how we support childhood cancer survivors in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, potentially improving both physical and mental well-being.

What evidence suggests that this game-based exercise plan is effective for increasing physical activity in childhood cancer survivors?

Research shows that games involving physical activity can benefit children who have survived cancer. Studies have found that these programs boost self-esteem and give children a better sense of control over their health. Technology has successfully created exercise plans that feel like games, encouraging more activity among these children. Specifically, one study found that such activities help reduce cancer-related fatigue and improve overall quality of life. This trial will explore a game-based approach to help childhood cancer survivors become more active and feel better overall. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Danielle Friedman, MD, MS

Principal Investigator

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for childhood cancer survivors aged 10-16 who've had cardiotoxic therapy, are off cancer treatment for 2+ years, and aren't currently active. They need a parent or guardian to join them in the study. Both must speak English, be able to do all activities required by the study, have mobiles with texting ability, and not have severe health issues that could make exercise unsafe.

Inclusion Criteria

Parent/legal guardian:

You have a phone that can send and receive text messages.

You are okay with receiving text messages every day.

Exclusion Criteria

Severe persistent asthma

Survivors, or parents/legal guardians of survivors, with a medical condition that makes it unsafe to complete study requirements are not eligible for this study. This includes a diagnosis of:

Musculoskeletal defects that interfere with sustained physical activity

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Pre-intervention Monitoring

Participants' step counts are recorded using a Fitbit device for baseline data

2 weeks

Data collection via wearable device

Intervention

Participants engage in a game-based exercise plan to increase physical activity

3 months

Regular virtual check-ins

Follow-up

Participants' physical activity and quality of life are monitored post-intervention

3 months

Data collection via wearable device

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Game-Based Physical Activity

Trial Overview

The trial tests if a game-based exercise program using Fitbit Inspire HR can boost physical activity levels and improve life quality in young cancer survivors. Participants will follow this plan alongside their parents or caregivers who'll also answer questionnaires about the experience.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: childhood cancer survivors & and one parent/legal guardian Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

The study plans to recruit 30 childhood cancer survivors and a parent/legal guardian for each survivor. Participants will be provided with a Fitbit Inspire HR wearable device to record their step counts for two weeks pre-intervention, and over the six-month follow-up period (3-month intervention and 3month follow-up).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,998

Recruited

602,000+

Sohn Conference Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

50+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A pilot study will assess the effectiveness of a 12-week physical activity intervention using personalized feedback from continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to motivate cancer survivors, particularly those at high risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D).

The study aims to explore how daily glucose patterns relate to cancer-related insulin pathways and inflammation, potentially providing insights into the biological mechanisms by which physical activity can benefit cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using wearable biological sensors to provide personalized feedback to motivate behavioral changes: Study protocol for a randomized controlled physical activity intervention in cancer survivors (Project KNOWN). Liao, Y., Schembre, SM., Brannon, GE., et al.[2022]

Active video games (AVGs) combined with videoconferencing may help improve quality of life and reduce fatigue in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors, based on a review of six studies.

However, the evidence for significant improvements in physical function is limited, indicating a need for more rigorous interventions specifically targeting AYA cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of active video games with or without videoconferencing on health outcomes in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: a systematic review. Christopherson, U., Wells, SJ., Parker, N., et al.[2022]

Active video gaming (AVG) was found to be a feasible and enjoyable way to promote regular physical exercise in children aged 7-17 who are survivors of brain tumors, with participants engaging in AVG for an average of 47 minutes on 72% of days.

The study showed a significant improvement in Body Coordination scores by 15% after 10-12 weeks of AVG, indicating that this intervention can enhance physical functioning in childhood brain tumor survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Active video gaming improves body coordination in survivors of childhood brain tumours. Sabel, M., Sjölund, A., Broeren, J., et al.[2022]

Digital activity trackers (E-DATs) are feasible for use in cancer survivors, with adherence rates exceeding 70% in most studies, indicating that these tools can help patients stick to exercise regimens.

E-DATs significantly improved step counts, activity levels, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in cancer survivors compared to control groups, although they did not show significant changes in certain biomarkers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of Exercise Interventions Using Digital Activity Trackers in Patients With Cancer. Schaffer, K., Panneerselvam, N., Loh, KP., et al.[2021]

The internet-delivered physical activity program (UCAN) had significant negative effects on motivation-related factors in cancer survivors, including self-efficacy and attitudes towards physical activity, as shown in a study of 95 participants.

Despite being based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the program did not improve motivation and may have methodological issues that affected the measurement of motivation in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A pilot study on the motivational effects of an internet-delivered physical activity behaviour change programme in Nova Scotian cancer survivors. Forbes, CC., Blanchard, CM., Mummery, WK., et al.[2018]

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