ALTE1631: Web-based Exercise Study for Children and Adolescents with Cancer

Brief Summary

Although very few exercise or physical activity interventions for children with cancer have been reported, there is positive evidence that exercise is safe and improves cardiopulmonary fitness and muscle strength. Past studies have relied on supervised training, which is burdensome for families who must travel to the clinic or hospital. Large multi-site, randomized studies are needed to investigate age-appropriate, motivating, realistic and portable interventions that are easily incorporated into daily life. 

This study will determine if an interactive, web-based exercise intervention improves fitness, quality of life and school attendance in children and adolescents who have recently completed therapy for cancer.

Primary Objective

• To evaluate the effects of an interactive, web-based exercise intervention on fitness among children and adolescents who have completed treatment for cancer.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion criteria include:

• At least 8 years old and younger than 16 years old
• Diagnosed cancer, in remission
• Completed therapy within the past 12 months
• Performance status corresponding to ECOG scores of 0, 1, 2
• Fewer than 420 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) over the last week
• Able to write and read English, Spanish or French (patient and at least one parent/guardian)

Exclusion Criteria include:

• Previous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT)
• Significant concurrent disease, illness, psychiatric disorder or social issue that would compromise patient safety or compliance with protocol therapy
• Pregnancy

Study Sites

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
Collaborating sites in and outside the U.S.

About this study

Regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight, improves energy levels and overall health. Children and adolescents who have received treatment for cancer are often less active, may gain weight and have more health problems compared to children and adolescents who have not received treatment for cancer. This study looks at exercise and its effect on children and teens who have completed treatment for cancer. 

The main goal of this clinical trial is to study the effect of a reward-based website on fitness and quality of life in children and adolescents who have completed therapy for cancer.

Eligibility overview

• At least 8 years old and younger than 16 years old
• Diagnosed cancer, in remission
• Completed therapy within the past 12 months
• Performance status corresponding to ECOG scores of 0, 1, 2
• Fewer than 420 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) over the last week
• Able to write and read English, Spanish or French (patient and at least one parent/guardian)
• Not pregnant