Abstract
Purpose: Children with brain tumors (BTs) experience fatigue and decreased quality of life (QOL). Physical activity (PA) is recommended during and after cancer treatment. We explored whether a fitness tracker intervention combined with tailored coaching by a physical therapist (PT) increased PA and QOL and decreased fatigue in children with BTs. Methods: Participants were 7 to 18 years' old, within 2 years of diagnosis, and received a 12-week PA intervention using a fitness tracker combined with 5 PT coaching sessions. Steps/day measured by Fitbit and self-reports of QOL, fatigue, and PA were evaluated at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Results: Participants had nonsignificant increase in steps/day. Total fatigue, general, and sleep/rest subscales improved while cognitive fatigue and QOL remained unchanged. Higher steps/day were associated with lower fatigue. Conclusion: This is a feasible intervention that may contribute to an increase in PA and improve fatigue in children with BTs.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 310-317 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Pediatric Physical Therapy |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Oct 1 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Correspondence: Jessica Ovans, PT, DPT, Children’s Minnesota, CSC 267, 2525 Chicago Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55404 (jessica.ovans@ childrensmn.org). Grant Support: This study was supported by a grant from the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Foundation.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy of the American Physical Therapy Association.
Keywords
- brain tumors
- children
- fatigue
- fitness tracker
- physical activity
- physical therapy
- quality of life
