Assessment of physical function in children with cancer: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate selection of robust assessment tools is essential to monitor physical function in children with cancer during and after treatment. This systematic review aims to identify and critically appraise the measurement properties of physical function measures currently used for children with cancer. PROCEDURE: Two systematic searches of seven electronic databases [Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAL), Medline, PubMed, PsychINFO, Sportsdiscus, EMBASE, and Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED)] were completed to identify physical function measures used in children with cancer and to evaluate their measurement properties. Methodological quality and the adequacy of measurement properties specific to populations of children with cancer were critically appraised using the COSMIN framework to ascertain which measures have evidence to support their use in children with cancer. RESULTS: One hundred and one physical function measures were identified across 154 studies. Measurement property data were available for 12 measures. The measurement properties of only two outcome measures were assessed in more than one study. Despite some positive measurement property data, there was no assessment tool that had consistent and adequate evidence overall to recommend its use in childhood cancer populations. Poor methodological quality of the included studies was the main limiting factor. CONCLUSIONS: There is very limited population specific evidence to guide the selection of physical function measures in children with cancer. Further research into the reliability, validity and responsiveness of physical function measures in children with cancer is needed to provide a basis for more effective clinical assessment and management.

The Feasibility of Physical Activity Interventions During the Intense Treatment Phase for Children and Adolescents with Cancer: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity may have benefits for children undergoing intense treatment for cancer, but such programmes are challenging to implement. This systematic review aimed to investigate the feasibly of physical activity interventions during intense cancer treatment for children and adolescents. PROCEDURE: A systematic search of seven electronic databases (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Public/Publisher MEDLINE, Psychological Information Database, Sportsdiscuss, Excerpta Medica Database, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database) from 2005 to August 2015 was completed. The risk of bias was assessed using the Downs and Black Checklist and The Critical Review Form-Qualitative Studies. Results were summarised descriptively across eight domains of feasibility: acceptability, demand, implementation, adaptation, practicality, integration, expansion and limited efficiency testing (including effectiveness). RESULTS: Eleven quantitative studies and one qualitative study were identified for inclusion. Physical activity interventions were typically supervised, individualised programmes that prescribed a variety of activity types for hospital inpatients. There was evidence that physical activity interventions during the intense phase of cancer treatment were acceptable to parents and children, safe and successfully implemented. A trend of positive effects across all aspects of functioning was noted. Data were unavailable documenting feasibility for the domains of integration, adaptation and expansion. CONCLUSION: There is preliminary evidence that physical activity interventions are feasible, in that they are acceptable, safe and potentially beneficial for children with cancer but more work needs to be done to understand the most effective ways to implement these types of programmes.