Level of activity in children undergoing cancer treatment

Winter Corinna, Müller Carsten, Brandes Mirko, Brinkmann Anja, Hoffmann Christiane, Hardes Jendrik, Gosheger Georg, Boos Joachim, Rosenbaum Dieter

Abstract

Background. The diagnosis of cancer bears severe implicationsfor pediatric patients. One immense restriction consists in a reducedlevel of activity due to different factors. Physical activity affectsvarious aspects of development and can be regarded as an essentialpart of a child's life. In the present study physical activity in patientsundergoing cancer therapy was quantified in order to determine theextent of the restriction and to provide baseline information for theassessment of possible interventions. Procedure. Physical activity in80 patients and 45 healthy children matched for age and genderwas measured using the StepWatch 3TM Activity Monitor (SAM,OrthoCare Innovations). Results. Pediatric cancer patients, at 2,787gait cycles (gcs) per day, were significantly less active than theirhealthy counterparts (8,096 gcs). Patients were significantly moreactive at home than during inpatient stays (3,185 gcs compared to1,830 gcs), and patients with bone tumors were less active than thosewith leukemia regarding both, the amount (1,849 gcs vs. 2,992 gcs)and the intensity of activity. Conclusion. The present study quantifiedan often observed but so far hardly assessable problem. Activity incancer patients is considerably reduced and patients with bonetumors are at increased risk from the detrimental effects of prolongedinactivity. Both our findings and the accepted fact that activity is anessential element of child development confirm the need forinterventions tailored to a patient's needs and abilities during thecourse of treatment. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:438-443.