Exercise program during cancer treatment for children and teens

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

The BEPPO study is a Germany-wide randomized trial enrolling 346 pediatric patients aged 3 to 18 who are starting curative cancer therapy. Participants are assigned to either a supervised, partly-standardized exercise program (3-5 sessions per week across hospital, outpatient, and home settings with telemedicine support) or standard care. The trial aims to determine whether regular physical activity during treatment can boost knee extensor strength, fatigue levels, quality of life, and overall well-being, while considering health economic implications and implementation in routine care. The intervention is designed to be continuum-based to provide ongoing support throughout medical treatment. Recruitment spans 13 pediatric oncology centers in Germany, with multiple collaborating institutions involved in leadership, research, and site-wide execution.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients aged ≥3 and ≤18 years
* Oncological diagnosis with curative treatment intent
* ≤6 weeks since cancer diagnosis (diagnosis can be initial, secondary or relapse diagnosis)
* Information and consent procedures feasible in German, English or with using local site resources (e.g., interpreters or multilingual staff)
* Communication with the patient is possible in German, English or with using local site resources (e.g., interpreters or multilingual staff) during the assessments and intervention
* Patients insured by German statutory health insurers

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients aged \<3 and \>18 years
* No active medical oncological treatment (e.g., watch-and-wait strategy, surgery without ongoing oncological acute treatment at a pediatric oncology center)
* Medical limitations that do not allow implementation of the study protocol
* Life expectancy \< 6 months
* Patients not insured by German statutory health insurers (e.g., Privatly insured patients, self-paying patients)

Where it's running

• Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology
  Berlin, Germany Recruiting
• University of Bonn Medical Center, Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology,
  Bonn, Germany Recruiting
• Children's Hospital Amsterdamer Straße, ; Clinic for Children and Youth Medicine; Department for pediatric hematology/oncology
  Cologne, Germany Recruiting
• University Hospital Cologne, Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Children's Hospital
  Cologne, Germany Recruiting
• University Hospital Essen, Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Center for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Clinic for Pediatrics III
  Essen, Germany Recruiting
• Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Oncology and Haematology
  Frankfurt, Germany Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Theresa Heering
• Email: theresa.heering@uk-essen.de
• Phone: 0049 201 723 4948

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.