Determinants of physical activity level in pediatric oncological patients treated with cardiotoxic therapy – a study protocol

Abstract Background Childhood cancer and its therapy, especially that involving potentially cardiotoxic cancer treatment, can structurally affect muscle strength and heart function, and therefore may result in lowered physical activity (PA). This study protocol aims to find the significant determina...

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Main Authors: Julia Haponiuk-Skwarlińska, Jakub S. Gąsior, Katarzyna Albrecht, Paweł Łaguna, Bożena Werner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05714-5
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author Julia Haponiuk-Skwarlińska
Jakub S. Gąsior
Katarzyna Albrecht
Paweł Łaguna
Bożena Werner
author_facet Julia Haponiuk-Skwarlińska
Jakub S. Gąsior
Katarzyna Albrecht
Paweł Łaguna
Bożena Werner
author_sort Julia Haponiuk-Skwarlińska
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Childhood cancer and its therapy, especially that involving potentially cardiotoxic cancer treatment, can structurally affect muscle strength and heart function, and therefore may result in lowered physical activity (PA). This study protocol aims to find the significant determinants of PA levels in pediatric oncological patients 1–5 years after heart-toxic chemotherapy and/or radiation of the heart region. Methods The study group will include children 1–5 years after completing cancer therapy involving cardiotoxicity risk factors. The primary outcome of interest is the PA measured with an ActiGraph GT3X Accelerometer for 14 consecutive days and the assessment of WHO pediatric age-adjusted PA norms achievement. Assessed PA levels will be evaluated according to the possible determinants of PA: disease/treatment related risk factors, treatment complications, possible complications after the treatment, cardiac function with echocardiography including 2D and 3D strain imaging, physical function and muscle strength in ALPHA (Assessing Levels of Physical Activity) health-related fitness test battery and exercise capacity in cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The self-efficacy and motivation to PA, quality of life (QoL), lifestyle, socio-demographic, and anthropogenic factors as well as knowledge about the positive impact of PA will be evaluated with original and validated questionnaires. The PA determinants of the study group will be compared to the results of the control group of children in the same follow-up period (> 1 year < 5 years) after completing cancer therapy without cardiotoxic methods. Discussion The results may contribute to the development of future recommendations on prophylactic and therapeutic approaches, as well as proper lifestyle recommendations for children in long-term follow-up after cardiotoxic cancer therapy. The determinants will be used to develop targeted exercise prescriptions and exercise programs. Trial registration NCT06256068.
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spelling doaj-art-2fe212974fc34b2b95c536bf8d5f9ccc2025-08-20T03:53:13ZengBMCBMC Pediatrics1471-24312025-05-0125111010.1186/s12887-025-05714-5Determinants of physical activity level in pediatric oncological patients treated with cardiotoxic therapy – a study protocolJulia Haponiuk-Skwarlińska0Jakub S. Gąsior1Katarzyna Albrecht2Paweł Łaguna3Bożena Werner4Department of Pediatric Cardiology and General Pediatrics, Doctoral School, Medical University of WarsawDepartment of Pediatric Cardiology and General Pediatrics, Medical University of WarsawDepartment of Pediatrics, Oncology, Hematology and Transplantology, Medical University of WarsawDepartment of Pediatrics, Oncology, Hematology and Transplantology, Medical University of WarsawDepartment of Pediatric Cardiology and General Pediatrics, Medical University of WarsawAbstract Background Childhood cancer and its therapy, especially that involving potentially cardiotoxic cancer treatment, can structurally affect muscle strength and heart function, and therefore may result in lowered physical activity (PA). This study protocol aims to find the significant determinants of PA levels in pediatric oncological patients 1–5 years after heart-toxic chemotherapy and/or radiation of the heart region. Methods The study group will include children 1–5 years after completing cancer therapy involving cardiotoxicity risk factors. The primary outcome of interest is the PA measured with an ActiGraph GT3X Accelerometer for 14 consecutive days and the assessment of WHO pediatric age-adjusted PA norms achievement. Assessed PA levels will be evaluated according to the possible determinants of PA: disease/treatment related risk factors, treatment complications, possible complications after the treatment, cardiac function with echocardiography including 2D and 3D strain imaging, physical function and muscle strength in ALPHA (Assessing Levels of Physical Activity) health-related fitness test battery and exercise capacity in cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The self-efficacy and motivation to PA, quality of life (QoL), lifestyle, socio-demographic, and anthropogenic factors as well as knowledge about the positive impact of PA will be evaluated with original and validated questionnaires. The PA determinants of the study group will be compared to the results of the control group of children in the same follow-up period (> 1 year < 5 years) after completing cancer therapy without cardiotoxic methods. Discussion The results may contribute to the development of future recommendations on prophylactic and therapeutic approaches, as well as proper lifestyle recommendations for children in long-term follow-up after cardiotoxic cancer therapy. The determinants will be used to develop targeted exercise prescriptions and exercise programs. Trial registration NCT06256068.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05714-5Exercise capacityPhysical activityCardiotoxicityChildhood cancerPediatric oncology
spellingShingle Julia Haponiuk-Skwarlińska
Jakub S. Gąsior
Katarzyna Albrecht
Paweł Łaguna
Bożena Werner
Determinants of physical activity level in pediatric oncological patients treated with cardiotoxic therapy – a study protocol
BMC Pediatrics
Exercise capacity
Physical activity
Cardiotoxicity
Childhood cancer
Pediatric oncology
title Determinants of physical activity level in pediatric oncological patients treated with cardiotoxic therapy – a study protocol
title_full Determinants of physical activity level in pediatric oncological patients treated with cardiotoxic therapy – a study protocol
title_fullStr Determinants of physical activity level in pediatric oncological patients treated with cardiotoxic therapy – a study protocol
title_full_unstemmed Determinants of physical activity level in pediatric oncological patients treated with cardiotoxic therapy – a study protocol
title_short Determinants of physical activity level in pediatric oncological patients treated with cardiotoxic therapy – a study protocol
title_sort determinants of physical activity level in pediatric oncological patients treated with cardiotoxic therapy a study protocol
topic Exercise capacity
Physical activity
Cardiotoxicity
Childhood cancer
Pediatric oncology
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05714-5
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