Exercise program for children with cancer
Fit to Fight Childhood Cancer: an Explorative Long-term Study on Exercise and Its Influence on Physical Performance and Psychosocial Aspects in Childhood Cancer Patients During and After Cancer Treatment.
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz · NCT05867186
This study is testing how an exercise program can help improve physical performance and emotional well-being in children and teens with cancer during and after their treatment.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 3 Years to 21 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (other) |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 1 site (Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate) |
| Trial ID | NCT05867186 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study investigates how exercise impacts physical performance and psychosocial well-being in children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment or aftercare. Conducted at the University Medical Centre Mainz, it complements a larger European study by including patients not currently receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The study will monitor the effects of exercise therapy on fatigue, quality of life, and physical function over time, while also validating a new resilience assessment tool for this population. The goal is to enhance exercise therapy protocols based on observed outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer who are undergoing treatment or aftercare.
Not a fit: Patients in the terminal phase of their disease may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve the quality of life and physical performance in children and adolescents with cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown positive outcomes with exercise interventions in pediatric oncology, suggesting this approach is promising.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Oncological disease according to the International Classification of Childhood Cancer. * Planned or started anti-cancer treatment (chemo- and/or radiotherapy and/or surgery) at the Clinic and Polyclinic for Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine of the University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz or connection to the Paediatric Oncology Centre Mainz within the framework of aftercare. * The patient is assessed by the treating team (pediatric oncologist, exercise professional etc.) as suitable to participate in the trial, e.g. due to medical or psychological reasons. * Existing informed consent (or assent) to participate in the study. * The patient is not in a terminal phase of the disease. Exclusion criteria: * The patient is assessed by the treating team (pediatric oncologist, exercise professional etc.) as unsuitable to participate in the trial, e.g. due to medical or psychological reasons. * After detailed information and, if necessary, having time to consider, the patient (≥ 16 years of age) did not agree to give written informed consent to participate in the trial. In the case of minor patients (\<16 years of age): The legal guardians do not assume that the child/adolescent is able to freely decide on participation or to consent to participation on the basis of the information received, and do not consent to this themselves. * The patient (and the legal guardians) has/have insufficient knowledge of the German or English language, so that it is not possible to carry out both the informed consent and interviews (in age-appropriate language). * The patient is in a terminal phase of the disease.
Where this trial is running
Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate
- Johannes-Gutenberg-University Medical Center — Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Joerg Faber, Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. — Johannes-Gutenberg-University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Elias Dreismickenbecker
- Email: fortee@unimedizin-mainz.de
- Phone: 00496131178331
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Pediatric Oncology, Paediatric exercise oncology, Precision exercise training, Childhood cancer, Quality of life, Gait, Pain, Cardiorespiratory fitness