Parents' perceptions of physical activity for their children with cancer: a qualitative meta-synthesis

BackgroundThe the number of cases of cancer in children is increasing annually. Physical activity (PA) can enhance the future outcomes and quality of life of children with cancer. However, studies have shown that children with cancer have low levels of PA and that the majority don't adhere to t...

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Main Authors: Yan Gu, Jie Yu, Liangjian Li, Liming Pan, Dongmei Ma, Lin Cui, Chunxue Cui, Fang Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1402516/full
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author Yan Gu
Jie Yu
Liangjian Li
Liming Pan
Dongmei Ma
Lin Cui
Chunxue Cui
Fang Guo
author_facet Yan Gu
Jie Yu
Liangjian Li
Liming Pan
Dongmei Ma
Lin Cui
Chunxue Cui
Fang Guo
author_sort Yan Gu
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundThe the number of cases of cancer in children is increasing annually. Physical activity (PA) can enhance the future outcomes and quality of life of children with cancer. However, studies have shown that children with cancer have low levels of PA and that the majority don't adhere to the guidelines' recommendations for physical activity.ObjectiveThe aim was to synthesize parents' perceptions of PA for their children with cancer and to explore barriers and facilitators, thereby providing a basis for promoting PA in children with cancer.MethodsThe PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL and three Chinese databases were systematically searched. Qualitative empirical reports from the onset of the corresponding databases until October 2023 were included in the review. Two independent reviewers performed the review, carried out the data extraction process and evaluated the study quality.FindingsSix studies in all were included. Parents’ perceptions of PA for their children with cancer were synthesized into the following three themes of analysis: (1) barriers to participation in PA; (2) facilitators of participation in PA; and (3) seeking support.ConclusionOur study identified complex factors that influence physical activity participation in children with cancer, and these findings provide a focus for future interventions. Future research should further explore appropriate, targeted exercise intervention programs to promote children's participation in physical activity.
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spelling doaj-art-e8c8b8f9a80b4640a409ca2674814c722025-08-20T03:44:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602025-03-011310.3389/fped.2025.14025161402516Parents' perceptions of physical activity for their children with cancer: a qualitative meta-synthesisYan Gu0Jie Yu1Liangjian Li2Liming Pan3Dongmei Ma4Lin Cui5Chunxue Cui6Fang Guo7Department of Cardiovascular Disease Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaDepartment of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Medical Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaDepartment of Hand and Podiatric Surgery, Orthopedics Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaDepartment of Hand and Podiatric Surgery, Orthopedics Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaDepartment of Hand and Podiatric Surgery, Orthopedics Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaDepartment of Nursing, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Changchun Medical College, Changchun, ChinaDepartment of Nursing, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaBackgroundThe the number of cases of cancer in children is increasing annually. Physical activity (PA) can enhance the future outcomes and quality of life of children with cancer. However, studies have shown that children with cancer have low levels of PA and that the majority don't adhere to the guidelines' recommendations for physical activity.ObjectiveThe aim was to synthesize parents' perceptions of PA for their children with cancer and to explore barriers and facilitators, thereby providing a basis for promoting PA in children with cancer.MethodsThe PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL and three Chinese databases were systematically searched. Qualitative empirical reports from the onset of the corresponding databases until October 2023 were included in the review. Two independent reviewers performed the review, carried out the data extraction process and evaluated the study quality.FindingsSix studies in all were included. Parents’ perceptions of PA for their children with cancer were synthesized into the following three themes of analysis: (1) barriers to participation in PA; (2) facilitators of participation in PA; and (3) seeking support.ConclusionOur study identified complex factors that influence physical activity participation in children with cancer, and these findings provide a focus for future interventions. Future research should further explore appropriate, targeted exercise intervention programs to promote children's participation in physical activity.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1402516/fullchildrencancerphysical activityqualitative researchsystematic review
spellingShingle Yan Gu
Jie Yu
Liangjian Li
Liming Pan
Dongmei Ma
Lin Cui
Chunxue Cui
Fang Guo
Parents' perceptions of physical activity for their children with cancer: a qualitative meta-synthesis
Frontiers in Pediatrics
children
cancer
physical activity
qualitative research
systematic review
title Parents' perceptions of physical activity for their children with cancer: a qualitative meta-synthesis
title_full Parents' perceptions of physical activity for their children with cancer: a qualitative meta-synthesis
title_fullStr Parents' perceptions of physical activity for their children with cancer: a qualitative meta-synthesis
title_full_unstemmed Parents' perceptions of physical activity for their children with cancer: a qualitative meta-synthesis
title_short Parents' perceptions of physical activity for their children with cancer: a qualitative meta-synthesis
title_sort parents perceptions of physical activity for their children with cancer a qualitative meta synthesis
topic children
cancer
physical activity
qualitative research
systematic review
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1402516/full
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