The purpose of this multicenter study is to evaluate a personalised and standardised exercise intervention for children and adolescents undergoing anti-cancer treatment.
In the randomised, controlled FORTEe trial, high evidence for an innovative, patient-centred exercise treatment shall be generated. Supervised exercise training intents to increase muscle strength and reduce muscular atrophy due to bedrest. CRF and HRQoL can be improved and in the future, these benefits may help to fight childhood cancer by increasing therapy efficiency and survival rate. Within the project, digital, innovative technologies such as augmented reality will be developed and applied to make the exercise training more effective, age-adapted and personalised. Moreover, FORTEe will stimulate translational research to provide access to paediatric exercise oncology as a new health care intervention. As a progress beyond the current state-of-the-art, FORTEe has the ambition to implement paediatric exercise oncology as an evidence-based standard in clinical care for all childhood cancer patients across the EU and beyond.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
478
Exercise training during intensive cancer treatment. Training mainly consists of age-appropriate and personalized endurance, strength, flexibility, balance/coordination and gait training. Three to five weekly training sessions lasting 30 to 60 minutes each for about eight to ten weeks (depending on the course of the cancer treatment).
Johannes-Gutenberg-University Medical Center
Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Change in the score of Cancer-related fatigue during the intervention, after the intervention, and over a 1-year follow-up period compared with baseline
Cancer-related fatigue measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 3.0 Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. The PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale is composed of 18 items comprising three dimensions. Scores are transformed on a scale from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate lower fatigue.
Time frame: pre-intervention; bi-weekly during the intervention (up to 10 weeks); end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention; after intensive cancer treatment; 15 months after the end of intervention
Change in the score of general Health-Related Quality of Life during the intervention, after the intervention, and over a 1-year follow-up period compared with baseline
Health-Related Quality of Life measured by the Measurement Model for the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 4.0 Generic Core Scales questionnaire. On the PedsQL Generic Core Scales, for ease of interpretability, items are reversed scored and linearly transformed to a 0-100 scale, so that higher scores indicate better HRQOL (Health-Related Quality of Life).
Time frame: pre-intervention; bi-weekly during the intervention (up to 10 weeks); end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention; after intensive cancer treatment; 15 months after the end of intervention
Change in the score of cancer-related Health-Related Quality of Life during the intervention, after the intervention, and over a 1-year follow-up period compared with baseline
Health-Related Quality of Life measured by the Measurement Model for the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 3.0 Cancer Module questionnaire. Scores are transformed to a 0 to 100 scale. Higher scores indicate lower problems.
Time frame: pre-intervention; bi-weekly during the intervention (up to 10 weeks); end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention; after intensive cancer treatment; 15 months after the end of intervention
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Change in the score of Mental Health (measured by WHO (Five) Well-Being Index) during the intervention, after the intervention, and over a 1-year follow-up period compared with baseline
WHO (Five) Well-Being Index (1998 version) is used to measure Mental Health.The WHO-5 consists of five statements, which respondents rate according to the scale below: All of the time = 5 Most of the time = 4 More than half of the time = 3 Less than half of the time = 2 Some of the time = 1 At no time = 0. The total raw score, ranging from 0 to 25, is multiplied by 4 to give the final score, with 0 representing the worst imaginable well-being and 100 representing the best imaginable well-being.
Time frame: pre-intervention; bi-weekly during the intervention (up to 10 weeks); end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention; after intensive cancer treatment; 15 months after the end of intervention
Change in the score of Mental Health (measured by Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS)) during the intervention, after the intervention, and over a 1-year follow-up period compared with baseline
Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) is used to measure Mental Health. WEMWBS is a 14 item scale of mental well-being covering subjective well-being and psychological functioning, in which all items are worded positively and address aspects of positive mental health. The total score of the 14-item scale WEMWBS is obtained by summing the score for each of the 14 items. The scoring range for each item is from 1 - 5 and the total score is from 14-70.
Time frame: pre-intervention; bi-weekly during the intervention (up to 10 weeks); end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention; after intensive cancer treatment; 15 months after the end of intervention
Change in the score of Resilience (measured by Mainzer Resilience Scale for childhood cancer (MRScc)) during the intervention, after the intervention, and over a 1-year follow-up period compared with baseline
Stress reactivity measured by the Mainz Resilience Score for childhood cancer (MRScc). The MRScc consists of 4 dimensions on mental health problems and 6 dimensions on stressor exposure. For both categories mental health problems and stressor exposure 4 - 400 points can be achieved. To calculate the resilience score, the category mental health problems is divided by the category stressor exposure. A score \>0 means low resilience, a score \< 0 means high resilience.
Time frame: pre-intervention; bi-weekly during the intervention (up to 10 weeks); end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention; after intensive cancer treatment; 15 months after the end of intervention
Change in the score of Resilience (measured by the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS)) during the intervention, after the intervention, and over a 1-year follow-up period compared with baseline
Resilience will be evaluated using the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). BRS is a 6 item scale, the items are rated from 1 to 5. A total score is calculated by determining the sum of the individual items which result in a total score ranging from 6 to 30. A higher score means a higher resilience.
Time frame: pre-intervention; bi-weekly during the intervention (up to 10 weeks); end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention; after intensive cancer treatment; 15 months after the end of intervention
Change in the score of Resilience (measured by the Child & Youth Resilience Measure-Revised (CYRM-R)) during the intervention, after the intervention, and over a 1-year follow-up period compared with baseline
Resilience will be evaluated using the Child \& Youth Resilience Measure-Revised (CYRM-R). The items within the measures can be directly summed to gain a total score of an individual's resilience. For the unmodified 5-point measure (with responses going from 1-5), the minimum score is 17 and the maximum score is 85. For the overall measure and subscales, higher scores indicate characteristics associated with resilience.
Time frame: pre-intervention; bi-weekly during the intervention (up to 10 weeks); end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention; after intensive cancer treatment; 15 months after the end of intervention
Change in the score of General self-efficacy during the intervention, after the intervention, and over a 1-year follow-up period compared with baseline
General self-efficacy will be evaluated using the General self-efficacy scale (GSE). The total score is calculated by finding the sum of the 10 items. For the GSE, the total score ranges between 10 and 40, with a higher score indicating more self-efficacy.
Time frame: pre-intervention; bi-weekly during the intervention (up to 10 weeks); end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention; after intensive cancer treatment; 15 months after the end of intervention
Change in the score of Physical exercise self-efficacy during the intervention, after the intervention, and over a 1-year follow-up period compared with baseline
Physical self-efficacy will be evaluated using the Physical exercise self-efficacy scale (PESE). The total score is calculated by finding the sum of the 10 items. For the GSE, the total score ranges between 5 and 20, with a higher score indicating more self-efficacy.
Time frame: pre-intervention; bi-weekly during the intervention (up to 10 weeks); end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention; after intensive cancer treatment; 15 months after the end of intervention
Change in the Physical activity level (measured by the Modifed Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire (mRPAQ)) during the intervention, after the intervention, and over a 1-year follow-up period compared with baseline
Physical activity level will be evaluated using the Modifed Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire (mRPAQ). The duration of listed physical activities were reported (recall time: over the past 7 days). Descriptive Statistics will be performed.
Time frame: pre-intervention; bi-weekly during the intervention (up to 10 weeks); end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention; after intensive cancer treatment; 15 months after the end of intervention
Change in the Physical activity level (measured by the Modified Youth Physical Activity Questionnaire (mYPAQ)) during the intervention, after the intervention, and over a 1-year follow-up period compared with baseline
Physical activity level will be evaluated using Modified Youth Physical Activity Questionnaire (mYPAQ). The duration of listed physical activities were reported (recall time: over the past 7 days). Descriptive Statistics will be performed.
Time frame: pre-intervention; bi-weekly during the intervention (up to 10 weeks); end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention; after intensive cancer treatment; 15 months after the end of intervention
Change in the Physical activity level (measured by the Modified Children's Physical Activity Questionnaire (mCPAQ)) during the intervention, after the intervention, and over a 1-year follow-up period compared with baseline
Physical activity level will be evaluated using Modified Children's Physical Activity Questionnaire (mCPAQ). The duration of listed physical activities were reported (recall time: over the past 7 days). Descriptive Statistics will be performed.
Time frame: pre-intervention; bi-weekly during the intervention (up to 10 weeks); end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention; after intensive cancer treatment; 15 months after the end of intervention
Change in the Physical activity level and behaviour during the intervention, after the intervention, and over a 1-year follow-up period compared with baseline
In a semi-structured interview on physical activity, qualitative data will be collected regarding activity behaviour, motivating factors and barriers to physical activity.
Time frame: pre-intervention; bi-weekly during the intervention (up to 10 weeks); end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention; after intensive cancer treatment; 15 months after the end of intervention
Change in functional capacity after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
Measured via Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Functional capacity is evalauted by the walked distance.
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change in endurance performance (measured by the assisted 6-minute cycling test) after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
Measured via assisted 6-minute cycling test (A6MCT). Endurance performance is evaluated by the cumulative revolutions after 6 minutes.
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change in endurance performance (measured by the adapted Yo-Yo-Test) after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
Endurance performance will be evaluated by the adapted Yo-Yo-Test.
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Longitudinal assessment of oxidative skeletal muscle impairment after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
Muscle impairment will be evaluated by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change in peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) will be performed during an endurance test to exhaustion to determine the peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak).
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change in motor function after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
measured via the quick motor function test
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change in hamstrings flexibility after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
measured via the sit and reach test
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change in lower limbs flexibility after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
a goniometer is used to measure the angles during foot, knee and hip flexion
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change in functional strength after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
Functional strength will be evaluated using the sit to stand test.
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change in arm strength after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
Arm strength will be evaluated using 5 repetition maximum for biceps curls.
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change in upper body strength after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
Upper body strength will be evaluated using medicine ball shot test.
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change in knee flexor strength after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
Knee flexor strength will be evaluated using a handheld dynamometer.
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change in leg extension strength after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
Leg extension strength will be evaluated using 5 repetition maximum for leg extension test measured via leg extension machine.
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change in functional mobility after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
Functional mobility will be evaluated using the timed up and down stairs test (TUDS).
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change in static balance after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
Static balance will be determined with the static stand test.
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change in body composition (measured via skinfold measurement) after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
Body composition is measured via plicometry of the triceps.
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change of the phase angle by means of bioelectrical impedance analysis for the examination of body composition after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
A multifrequency (5, 50, 100 kHz) bioelectrical impedance analysis is performed using a phase-sensitive impedance analyser (BIAcorpus RX4004M). For this purpose, a sinusoidal alternating current with a constant intensity is applied to the patient's wrists and ankles. The phase angle (PA, ° degree) is measured by the impedance analyser as the phase shift between current and voltage. The phase angle provides conclusions about nutritional status and body composition.
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Change in body composition (measured via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) after the intervention and after a 12-week follow-up compared to baseline
In the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) total muscle mass and total fat mass is determined.
Time frame: pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks); 12 weeks after the end of intervention
Usage frequency of the augmented reality (AR) app from baseline to the end of app use
Usage frequency derived from dates within an exercise diary is recorded during the entire time the AR (augmented reality) app is used.
Time frame: during the use of the app from baseline until the end of app use (15 months after the end of intervention)
Usability of the augmented reality app
Exploration of app usability via user experience, incl. functions/features, technical bugs. For this purpose, qualitative data will be collected in a semi-structured interview.
Time frame: post app use (15 months after the end of intervention)
Usability of the pixformance station
The pixformance station is a digital training tool. Pixformance usability should be explored through user experience, incl. functions/features, and technical bugs. For this purpose, qualitative data will be collected in a semi-structured interview.
Time frame: post app use (15 months after the end of intervention)
Composite multidimensional socioeconomic status index
Socioeconomic status will be assessed in order to perform a confounder analysis for the main outcome cancer-related fatigue. The calculation of the socioeconomic status index is based on the dimensions "levels of education", "occupational status" and "income". Scores for each dimension ranged from 1 to a maximum of 7. Since the 3 subscales are included in the calculation with the same weight, the socioeconomic status index can assume values between 3.0 and 21.0. Higher scores mean higher socioeconomic status.
Time frame: pre-intervention
Change in the number of T-cells before start of anti-cancer treatment (baseline), pre-exercise intervention and post-exercise intervention
The purpose of the biomarker analysis is to describe peripheral circulating immune cell profiles and DNA methylation status at baseline (T-1) (i.e. before chemo- and/or radiotherapy), and pre- (T0) and post-exercise intervention (T1) (both during chemo- and/or radiotherapy) solely in adolescent and young adult patients suffering from a solid tumour excluding cancers of the immune system e.g. leukemia and lymphoma.
Time frame: Blood sampling before start of anti-cancer treatment (chemo- and/or radiotherapy); pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks)
Change in the number of B-cells before start of anti-cancer treatment (baseline), pre-exercise intervention and post-exercise intervention
The purpose of the biomarker analysis is to describe peripheral circulating immune cell profiles and DNA methylation status at baseline (T-1) (i.e. before chemo- and/or radiotherapy), and pre- (T0) and post-exercise intervention (T1) (both during chemo- and/or radiotherapy) solely in adolescent and young adult patients suffering from a solid tumour excluding cancers of the immune system e.g. leukemia and lymphoma.
Time frame: Blood sampling before start of anti-cancer treatment (chemo- and/or radiotherapy); pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks)
Change in the number of NK-cells before start of anti-cancer treatment (baseline), pre-exercise intervention and post-exercise intervention
The purpose of the biomarker analysis is to describe peripheral circulating immune cell profiles and DNA methylation status at baseline (T-1) (i.e. before chemo- and/or radiotherapy), and pre- (T0) and post-exercise intervention (T1) (both during chemo- and/or radiotherapy) solely in adolescent and young adult patients suffering from a solid tumour excluding cancers of the immune system e.g. leukemia and lymphoma.
Time frame: Blood sampling before start of anti-cancer treatment (chemo- and/or radiotherapy); pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks)
Change in the number of leukocytes before start of anti-cancer treatment (baseline), pre-exercise intervention and post-exercise intervention
The purpose of the biomarker analysis is to describe peripheral circulating immune cell profiles and DNA methylation status at baseline (T-1) (i.e. before chemo- and/or radiotherapy), and pre- (T0) and post-exercise intervention (T1) (both during chemo- and/or radiotherapy) solely in adolescent and young adult patients suffering from a solid tumour excluding cancers of the immune system e.g. leukemia and lymphoma.
Time frame: Blood sampling before start of anti-cancer treatment (chemo- and/or radiotherapy); pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks)
Change in the number of monocytes before start of anti-cancer treatment (baseline), pre-exercise intervention and post-exercise intervention
The purpose of the biomarker analysis is to describe peripheral circulating immune cell profiles and DNA methylation status at baseline (T-1) (i.e. before chemo- and/or radiotherapy), and pre- (T0) and post-exercise intervention (T1) (both during chemo- and/or radiotherapy) solely in adolescent and young adult patients suffering from a solid tumour excluding cancers of the immune system e.g. leukemia and lymphoma.
Time frame: Blood sampling before start of anti-cancer treatment (chemo- and/or radiotherapy); pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks)
Change in the DNA methylation status of T cells before start of anti-cancer treatment (baseline), pre-exercise intervention and post-exercise intervention
The purpose of the biomarker analysis is to describe peripheral circulating immune cell profiles and DNA methylation status at baseline (T-1) (i.e. before chemo- and/or radiotherapy), and pre- (T0) and post-exercise intervention (T1) (both during chemo- and/or radiotherapy) solely in adolescent and young adult patients suffering from a solid tumour excluding cancers of the immune system e.g. leukemia and lymphoma.
Time frame: Blood sampling before start of anti-cancer treatment (chemo- and/or radiotherapy); pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks)
Change in the DNA methylation status of NK cells before start of anti-cancer treatment (baseline), pre-exercise intervention and post-exercise intervention (baseline), pre-exercise intervention and post-exercise intervention
The purpose of the biomarker analysis is to describe peripheral circulating immune cell profiles and DNA methylation status at baseline (T-1) (i.e. before chemo- and/or radiotherapy), and pre- (T0) and post-exercise intervention (T1) (both during chemo- and/or radiotherapy) solely in adolescent and young adult patients suffering from a solid tumour excluding cancers of the immune system e.g. leukemia and lymphoma.
Time frame: Blood sampling before start of anti-cancer treatment (chemo- and/or radiotherapy); pre-intervention; end of intervention (assessed up to 10 weeks)