Peer-reviewed article
Improving Physical Activity Behaviors Among Childhood Cancer Survivors Through an Educational Intervention: A Mixed-Methods Pre-Post Study.
Cai J, Cheung YT, Zheng J, Cai X, Pui CH et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study tested a brief educational intervention designed to increase physical activity among childhood cancer survivors and their families in China. The intervention included health education for both survivors and caregivers, delivered over a short period. Physical activity levels increased significantly after the intervention, and parents became more aware of health risks and more supportive of exercise. The findings suggest this type of education can be feasibly integrated into cancer survivorship care.
Key points
- Weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity increased from 98.5 to 172.3 minutes per week (p = 0.004)
- Total physical activity increased from 166.6 to 318.0 minutes per week (p < 0.001)
- Parental awareness of cardiopulmonary risk increased from 50.0% to 71.8% (p = 0.003)
- Family support behaviors improved, including parental encouragement and family co-exercise
- Qualitative findings highlighted fatigue and safety concerns as barriers to physical activity
Limitations
This was a single-arm study without a comparison group, so improvements cannot be definitively attributed to the intervention rather than other factors or natural recovery over time. The follow-up period was short (1-3 months), so longer-term sustainability of behavior change is unknown.
Abstract
Background Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at increased risk of long-term cardiopulmonary and functional complications, but physical activity participation remains low. Scalable, evidence-based interventions integrated into routine survivorship care are limited, especially in low- and middle-income settings. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a brief, family-centered educational intervention in improving physical activity behaviors and exercise-related cognition among CCS in China. Procedure We conducted a mixed-methods, single-arm educational intervention involving CCS and their caregivers. Baseline assessments (T0) and follow-up assessments conducted 1-3 months after the intervention (T1) evaluated three major outcome domains: (i) physical activity behaviors, assessed using the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) and selected Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children/Adolescents (PAQ-C/A) items, including moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity; (ii) exercise-related cognitive constructs, assessed using Health Belief Model (HBM)-based measures and selected Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale (EBBS) items; and (iii) family support and parental awareness regarding exercise and treatment-related health risks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to further explore perceptions and experiences related to physical activity participation. Results A total of 106 CCS completed T0 and 78 (73.6%) completed T1; 18 participated in interviews. At baseline, most survivors reported low physical activity levels and exercise-related fatigue during vigorous activity. Following the intervention, physical activity behaviors improved significantly, with increases in weekly MVPA (from 98.5 to 172.3 min/week; p = 0.004), total physical activity (from 166.6 to 318.0 min/week; p < 0.001), and GLTEQ scores (from 40.4 to 56.0; p = 0.005). Exercise-related cognition also improved, including greater perceived severity of insufficient physical activity, and increased perceived energy and vitality benefits of exercise. Parental awareness of cardiopulmonary risk increased from 50.0% to 71.8% (p = 0.003). Family support behaviors improved, including parental encouragement (p = 0.016), family co-exercise (p = 0.006), and caregivers' own exercise habits (p = 0.008). Qualitative interviews highlighted the importance of medical guidance, family involvement, individualized exercise recommendations, and concerns regarding fatigue and safety. Conclusions A brief, family-centered educational intervention was associated with improved physical activity behaviors, enhanced exercise-related cognition, increased parental awareness, and stronger family support among childhood cancer survivors. These findings support the feasibility and potential value of integrating scalable exercise education into routine survivorship care.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Brief, family-centered educational intervention involving CCS and caregivers, integrating health education about exercise benefits, health risks, and individualized exercise recommendations.
- Population
- Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and their caregivers in China; 106 enrolled, 78 completed follow-up.
Key finding
Weekly MVPA increased from 98.5 to 172.3 min/week (p = 0.004)