Muscle Wasting in Children and Adolescents With Cancer

Assessment and Management of Muscle Wasting in Children and Adolescents With Cancer

The series of the 3-year study aims to explore parents' experience of caring for a child's weight change among parents of children and adolescents with cancer, examine the associations and trends among muscle wasting and health-related variables, and then implement and assess effectiveness of a multidisciplinary approach with a personalized physical activity (walking) training intervention on improving muscle mass and other health-related variables.

Specific aims, year by year

1. The aim for Year 1 is as follows:

   Aim 1: To explore parents' experience of caring for promoting a child's exercise among parents of children and adolescents with cancer.

2. The aims for Year 2 are as follows:

   Aim 2-1: To examine the associations between the degree of muscle wasting and health-related variables (fatigue level, symptom distress level, physical activity involvement, dietary intake, and QoL) among children and adolescents with cancer.

   Aim 2-2: To examine the trends of changes in muscle wasting and health-related variables (fatigue level, symptom distress level, physical activity involvement, dietary intake, and QoL) during the first 6 months of cancer treatment among children and adolescents with cancer.

3. The aim for Year 3 is as follows:

Aim 3: To examine the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary approach with a personalized walking exercise program on changes in body composition and health-related variables (fatigue level, symptom distress level, subjective physical activity involvement, objective physical activity measurement, dietary intake, and QoL) among children and adolescents with cancer.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aim 1:(1) parents of children diagnosed with malignancies at 3-18 years old, (2) whose children have received cancer treatment for at least 6 months, (3) who are the main caregivers, and (4) who are willing to participate in the study.
• Aim 2-1:(1) children and adolescents diagnosed with malignancies at 3-18 years old, (2) who are previously or currently treated for cancer, and (3) who are willing to participate in the study. Two hundred patients will be recruited.
• Aim 2-2:(1) children and adolescents diagnosed with malignancies at 3-18 years old, (2) newly diagnosed with cancer within the past 1 month, and (3) willing to participate in the study. One hundred participants will be recruited.
• Aim 3:(1) children and adolescents aged 3-18 years old and are undergoing treatment, and (2) who are willing to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

-Aim 1-3: Children and adolescents are under poor physical or cognitive conditions.