Feasibility of physical activity in children with cancer: A multidisciplinary program in the context of the VIE study

Purpose: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. The physiologic and psychological benefits of physical activity have been shown in children with cancer. However, almost one in two cancer patients do not follow the physical activity guidelines. The aim of this study will be to assess the feasibility of a physical activity program intervention in pediatric oncology and to assess the barriers and facilitators in the success or failure of this physical activity program. Methods: The VIE (Valorization, Implication and Education) intervention is a multidisciplinary program including physical activity, nutritional, and psychological interventions in pediatric oncology. This study involves one intervention group that will be followed over two years (evaluations and physical activity interventions) and one control group that will participate in only one evaluation. The feasibility of this program will be measured through a comparison between sessions performed and sessions scheduled, while the security will be measured according to the number of reported incidents. Preliminary Results: An adhesion rate of about 40% despite restrictions and organizational conflicts specific to the hospital context was reported. A minor incident in 1 of 278 sessions performed with 35 children with cancer was observed. Conclusion: This study is the first to examine the effects of exercise in pediatric oncology, from diagnosis to the expected end of treatment. At this time, our findings show the feasibility of this physical activity program in a safe context. This is an important study in the exercise and oncology field to help patients and their family during and after cancer treatments. Citation Format: Maxime Caru, Gabrielle Duhamel, Valerie Marcil, Serge Sultan, Caroline Meloche, Isabelle Bouchard, Simon Drouin, Laurence Bertout, Caroline Laverdiere, Daniel Sinnett, Daniel Curnier. Feasibility of physical activity in children with cancer: A multidisciplinary program in the context of the VIE study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Advances in Pediatric Cancer Research; 2019 Sep 17-20; Montreal, QC, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(14 Suppl):Abstract nr A57.