Promoting positive physical activity behaviours in children undergoing acute cancer treatment: feasibility of the CanMOVE intervention

Background: Supporting children and adolescents with cancer to be physically active can improve medium- and long-term health outcomes. Objective: To assess the feasibility of CanMOVE, a 10-week complex, theoretically-informed, behaviour change intervention to promote physical activity for children and adolescents undergoing acute cancer treatment. Methods: A feasibility study using a single-group, repeated measures, mixed methods design. Participants completed CanMOVE, which included provision of a Fitbit (child/adolescent and carer) and structured support from a physical therapist. Feasibility domains of demand, acceptability, implementation, practicality, limited efficacy, and integration were evaluated. Data sources included service level data, objective assessment of physical activity, physical function, and health-related quality of life; and qualitative data collected via semi-structured interviews with participants and focus groups with staff. Results: Twenty children/adolescents (median age 13yrs, interquartile-range 9–14) with a mix of cancer diagnoses, 20 parents, and 16 clinicians participated. There was high demand with 95% enrolment rate. CanMOVE was acceptable for participants. All feasibility thresholds set for implementation were met. Under practicality, there were no serious adverse events related to the intervention. Limited efficacy data indicated CanMOVE showed positive estimates of effect in influencing child/adolescent physical activity behaviour, physical function, and health-related quality of life. Positive impacts were also seen in parent and staff attitudes towards physical activity promotion. To improve integration into the clinical setting, it was suggested the duration and scope of CanMOVE could be expanded. Conclusion: CanMOVE was feasible to implement in a paediatric cancer setting. CanMOVE is appropriate to be tested in a large-scale trial.