Game-Based Physical Activity in Childhood Cancer Survivors

Assessing a Game-Based Physical Activity Intervention in Childhood Cancer Survivors: The STEP UP for FAMILIES Pilot Study

This study will test whether a game-based exercise plan can help increase the level of physical activity in childhood cancer survivors. The game-based exercise plan will involve participation by both a childhood cancer survivor and his/her parent or caregiver. This study will also look at whether the game-based exercise plan improves childhood cancer survivors' quality of life.

Inclusion Criteria:

Childhood cancer survivor:

• History of treatment for childhood cancer with cardiotoxic therapy (anthracyclines, chest radiation, total body irradiation)
• Off all systemic cancer therapy for ≥ 2 years
• Ability to speak and understand English
• Ability to complete all protocol assessments
• Mobile device with SMS text messaging capability
• Ambulatory and able to perform all study requirements
• Attained age 10-16 years
• Has a parent or legal guardian willing to participate in the study as a dyad
• Willing to receive daily SMS text message alerts
• Not currently exercising at least 30 minutes per day (5 days/week)
• ECOG Performance Status of 0-1

Parent/legal guardian:

• Parent or legal guardian of a childhood cancer survivor treated with cardiotoxic therapy (anthracyclines, chest radiation, total body irradiation)
• Parent or legal guardian of a child age 10-16 years who is at least 2 years from completion of systemic cancer therapy
• Ability to speak and understand English
• Ability to complete all protocol assessments
• Ability to provide informed consent
• Ambulatory and able to perform all study requirements
• Access to a mobile device with SMS text messaging capability
• Is the parent or legal guardian of a childhood cancer survivor who is willing to participate in this study as a dyad
• Willing to receive daily SMS text message alerts
• ECOG Performance Status of 0-1

Exclusion Criteria:

• 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:

  • Severe persistent asthma
  • Known symptomatic coronary artery disease
  • Musculoskeletal defects that interfere with sustained physical activity
  • Any medical or psychosocial condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would jeopardize the health of the participant during study procedures