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Physical activity interventions in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors: a systematic review

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim was to summarize the current literature for the effectiveness of physical activity interventions on physical functioning, body composition, and quality of life (QOL) in pediatric, adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.

Methods

We conducted systematic structured searches of PubMed and Web of Science databases. Two independent researchers selected against inclusion criteria: (1) lifestyle intervention including physical activity and/or physical activity interventions for pediatric, adolescent, and young adults with any cancer diagnosis; (2) measured QOL, physical functioning (e.g., strength, activities of daily living), or body composition (e.g., changes in weight, percent body fat); and (3) randomized controlled trials.

Results

Searches identified 4770 studies. Following the removal of duplicates and title and abstract screening, 83 full-text articles were assessed, and 9 studies met the inclusion criteria. Childhood and adolescent cancer survivors encompassed n = 7 studies while young adult cancer survivors were included in n = 2 studies. Three studies reported using a theoretical framework and six did not. Interventions ranged from 1 week to 6 months. Across all studies reviewed, n = 2 reported improvements in physical activity, n = 5 studies reported partial improvements, and n = 2 reported no improvements.

Conclusions

Interventions to improve physical activity behaviors reported mixed results. Only two physical activity interventions incorporated young adults with cancer; thus, physical activity interventions for young adult cancer survivors should be further explored. Future research should focus on personalized physical activity components encouraging behavior change techniques to maximize physical health and QOL improvements.

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Funding

SLC and AWB were supported by NCI Cancer Prevention and Control Training Grant: 5T32CA090314-17 (MPIs Vadaparampil/Brandon). MS was supported by NCI R01CA240319-01A1 (Stern, PI).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, 4117 E Fowler Ave., Tampa, FL, 33617, USA

    Sylvia L. Crowder & Acadia W. Buro

  2. Department of Child and Family Studies, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, University of South Florida, MHC 2510, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA

    Marilyn Stern

Authors
  1. Sylvia L. Crowder
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  2. Acadia W. Buro
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  3. Marilyn Stern
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Contributions

Sylvia L. Crowder: conceptualization, methodology, literature search, validation, formal analysis, interpretation, writing original draft, writing – reviewing and editing.

Acadia W. Buro: literature search, formal analysis, interpretation, writing – reviewing and editing.

Marilyn Stern: interpretation, writing – reviewing and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sylvia L. Crowder.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Crowder, S.L., Buro, A.W. & Stern, M. Physical activity interventions in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer 30, 4635–4649 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-06854-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-022-06854-5

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