Effect of a 1-year physical activity intervention on quality of life, fatigue, and distress in adult childhood cancer survivors-A randomized controlled trial (SURfit).

INTRODUCTION: Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at risk of experiencing lower quality-of-life, fatigue, and depression. Few randomized controlled trials have studied the effect of physical activity (PA) on these in adult long-term CCS. This study investigated the effect of a 1-year individualized PA intervention on health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL), fatigue, and distress symptoms in adult CCS. METHODS: The SURfit trial randomized 151 CCS ≥16 years old, <16 at diagnosis and ≥5 years since diagnosis, identified through the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry. Intervention participants received personalized PA counselling to increase intense PA by ≥2.5 h/week for 1 year. Controls maintained usual PA levels. The authors assessed physical- and mental-HRQOL, fatigue, and distress symptoms at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. T-scores were calculated using representative normative populations (mean = 50, standard deviation = 10). Generalized linear mixed-effects models with intention-to-treat (ITT, primary), and three per-protocol allocations were used. RESULTS: At 12 months, ITT (-3.56 larger decrease, 95% confidence interval -5.69 to -1.43, p = .001) and two per-protocol analyses found significantly lower fatigue. Physical-HRQOL improved significantly in two per-protocol analyses at 12 months. No other effects were found. CONCLUSION: SURfit showed that increased intense PA over 1 year improved fatigue in adult CCS. Survivors should be recommended PA to reduce the burden of late-effects.

Effect of a physical activity intervention on lower body bone health in childhood cancer survivors: A randomized controlled trial (SURfit).

It remains controversial whether physical activity promotes bone health in childhood cancer survivors (CCS). We aimed to assess the effect of a one-year general exercise intervention on lower body bone parameters of CCS. CCS ≥16 years at enrollment, <16 years at diagnosis and ≥5 years in remission were identified from the national Childhood Cancer Registry. Participants randomized to the intervention group were asked to perform an additional ≥2.5 hours of intense physical activity/week, controls continued exercise as usual. Bone health was assessed as a secondary trial endpoint at baseline and after 12-months. We measured tibia bone mineral density (BMD) and morphology by peripheral quantitative computed tomography and lumbar spine, hip and femoral neck BMD by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. We performed intention-to-treat, per protocol, and an explorative subgroup analyses looking at low BMD using multiple linear regressions. One hundred fifty-one survivors (44% females, 7.5 ± 4.9 years at diagnosis, 30.4 ± 8.6 years at baseline) were included. Intention-to-treat analysis revealed no differences in changes between the intervention and control group. Per protocol analyses showed evidence for an improvement in femoral neck and trabecular BMD between 1.5% and 1.8% more in participants being compliant with the exercise program. Trabecular BMD increased 2.8% more in survivors of the intervention group with BMD z-score ≤-1 compared to those starting at z-score >-1. A nonstandardized personalized exercise programs might not be specific enough to promote bone health in CCS, although those compliant and those most in need may benefit. Future trials should include bone stimulating exercise programs targeting risk groups with reduced bone health and motivational features to maximize compliance.

Effect of a 1-year physical activity intervention on cardiovascular health in long-term childhood cancer survivors-a randomised controlled trial (SURfit).

BACKGROUND: This randomised controlled trial (RCT) assessed the effect of a 1-year, partially supervised, physical activity (PA) intervention on a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk score in adult survivors of childhood cancer. METHODS: We included childhood cancer survivors ≥16 y at enrolment, <16 y at diagnosis and ≥5 y in remission. The intervention group was asked to perform an additional ≥2.5 h of intense physical activity/week, controls continued exercise as usual; assessments were performed at baseline, 6 months (T6) and 12 months (T12). The primary endpoint was change in a CVD risk score (average z-score of waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, inverted high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and inverted cardiorespiratory fitness) from baseline to T12. We performed intention-to-treat (ITT, primary) and 3 per protocol analyses. RESULTS: We randomised 151 survivors (44% females, 30.4 ± 8.6 years). We found a significant and robust reduction of the CVD risk score in the intervention compared to the control group at T6 and T12 across all analyses; with a difference in the reduction of the CVD risk z-score of -0.18 (95% confidence interval -0.29 to -0.06, P = 0.003) at T12 in favour of the intervention group (ITT analysis). CONCLUSIONS: This RCT showed that a long-term PA intervention can reduce CVD risk in long-term survivors of childhood cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02730767.

Job Retention and Reintegration in People with Mental Health Problems: A Descriptive Evaluation of Supported Employment Routine Programs.

PURPOSE: Striking evidence supports the effectiveness of supported employment (SE) in achieving competitive employment in individuals with mental health problems. Yet, little is known whether SE is effective to maintain employment in individuals at risk of job loss. We aimed to descriptively compare SE for employed clients (SE-retention) and unemployed clients (SE-integration) regarding competitive employment. METHODS: We used administrative data from January 2017 to October 2021 provided by a vocational rehabilitation center in Switzerland including all individuals (≥ 18yrs.) with mental health problems who participated either in SE-retention or SE-reintegration. The outcome was the proportion with competitive employment at discharge. Logistic regression was used to assess time trends and to descriptively compare SE-treatments. We used propensity score weighting, including personal, clinical and program-specific information to reduce group differences. RESULTS: A total of 556 participants primarily diagnosed with mood/stress-related, schizophrenia and personality disorders were included (n = 297 SE-retention, n = 259 SE-reintegration) with median age 41 years and 57% female gender. The overall weighted comparison favored SE-retention over SE-reintegration OR 4.85 (95%-CI 3.10 to 7.58, p < 0.001) with predicted employment of 67.3% and 29.9% for SE-retention and SE-reintegration, respectively. While success for SE-reintegration remained stable over time, SE-retention showed an increase in more recent years. CONCLUSION: SE-retention provides an approach for early work-related support that can prevent labor market exclusion. In contrast, reintegration is likely to require more efforts to achieve employment and may result in less favorable outcomes. It is therefore necessary that further research includes appropriate comparison groups to evaluate the effectiveness of SE-retention programs as well as the economic and individual benefits.

High impact physical activity and bone health of lower extremities in childhood cancer survivors: A cross-sectional study of SURfit.

Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at risk of reduced bone health and premature osteoporosis. As physical activity with high impact loading (IL-PA) is known to promote bone health, we compared bone densitometry and microstructure between groups of CCS who performed different amounts of physical activities in their daily life. We used baseline data of a single-center PA trial including 161 CCS from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry, aged <16 at diagnosis, ≥16 at study and ≥5 years since diagnosis. Lower body bone health was assessed with peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Daily IL-PA (duration in activities >2 g acceleration and numbers of vertical impacts/hr >2 g) was captured using hip-worn accelerometers (1-3 weeks). For both IL-PA approaches, we formed low, middle and high activity groups based on tertiles. Bone health of the high and middle active groups was compared to the low active group. 63% of CCS had indication of at least one bone mineral density z-score ≤ -1 measured by pQCT or DXA. The high IL-PA group performing 2.8 min/day or 19.1 impact peaks/hr > 2 g (median) showed about 3-13% better microstructural and densitometric bone health as compared to the low IL-PA group with 0.38 min/day or 0.85 peaks/hr > 2 g. Just a few minutes and repetitions of high IL-PA as easily modifiable lifestyle factor may be sufficient to improve bone health in adult CCS. Future longitudinal research is needed to better understand pattern and dosage of minimal impact loading needed to strengthen bone in growing and adult CCS.

Childhood vaccination coverage and regional differences in Swiss birth cohorts 2012-2021: Are we on track?

AIMS: Many western countries are challenged by delayed and insufficient vaccination coverage rates in children, and thus missing WHO coverage targets. This study aimed to estimate vaccination coverage and timeliness in Swiss children over a decade. Furthermore, we evaluated the impact of COVID-19, regional variations, and the adherence to the amended vaccination schedule in 2019. METHODS: Retrospective observational study with Swiss health insurance claims data including birth cohorts 2012-2021 of children continuously observed until ages 13, 25, and 48 months respectively. We used population-weighted proportions and time-to-event analyses to describe coverage and timeliness of diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis/poliomyelitis/haemophilus influenzae type b (DTaP-IPV-Hib), measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), hepatitis B (HBV), pneumococcal (PCV), and meningococcal (MCV) vaccinations according to the national schedule. The potential impact of COVID-19 and vaccination schedule adherence were evaluated descriptively. Logistic regression was used to investigate regional factors potentially associated with non-vaccination. RESULTS: 120,073 children, representing between 12 and 17 % of all Swiss children born in corresponding years, were included. Coverage remained stable or improved over the years. The 2019 amendment of the national immunization schedule was associated with an increase of ~10 % points in full coverage in Swiss children for DTaP-IPV-Hib, MMR and HBV despite the concurrent COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, full vaccination coverage remained below 90 % with many vaccination series being delayed or not completed. The comparison across the different vaccines revealed large differences in coverage. Moreover, we observed large regional differences in non-vaccination with children living in rural and German-speaking areas more likely to be entirely unvaccinated. CONCLUSION: Full vaccination coverage in Swiss children is still below 90 % with many vaccinations administered delayed. Given regional differences, missed or delayed booster vaccinations, and differences in vaccine-specific acceptability, more effort may be needed to achieve national vaccination targets.

Adherence and contamination in a 1-year physical activity program in childhood cancer survivors: A report from the SURfit study.

PURPOSE: Meeting intervention requirements is crucial in behavioral trials. We examined patterns and predictors of physical activity (PA) adherence and contamination in a 1-year individualized randomized controlled PA behavioral intervention in childhood cancer survivors (CCS). METHODS: CCS aged ≥16 at enrolment, <16 at diagnosis, and ≥5 years in remission were identified from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Registry. We asked participants randomized to the intervention group to perform an additional ≥2.5 h of intense PA/week and controls to continue as usual. Adherence to the intervention was assessed by online diary (adherent if ≥2/3 of individual PA goal reached) and contamination for the control group by pre- and post-questionnaire including PA levels (contaminated if >60 min increase/week in PA). Predictors of adherence/contamination including quality of life (36-Item Short Form Survey) were assessed by questionnaire. We used logistic (control group) and mixed logistic regression models (exercise group) to estimate predictors of study adherence and contamination. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-four survivors (30.4 ± 8.7 years old, 43% females) were included. Adherence was 48% (35/73) in the intervention group, while 17% (12/71) of controls contaminated group allocation. Predictors for PA adherence were female sex (OR 2.35, p = 0.03), higher physical (OR 1.34, p = 0.01) and mental quality of life (OR 1.37, p = 0.001), and week into the intervention (OR 0.98, p < 0.001). Clear differences in PA behavior of adherent and non-adherent participants were seen from week four. No significant predictors for contamination were found for controls. CONCLUSION: Adherence to PA behavior interventions remain challenging in both groups. Further long-term trials should consider intense motivational support within the first month, more detailed data collection for the control group, adjustments to power calculations and other study designs to minimize non-adherence and contamination.