Being active after childhood cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Promoting physical activity in childhood cancer survivors: using qualitative and co-design methods to inform the development of an evidence-based intervention
IRAS ID
248889
Contact name
Linda Sharp
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
Childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) have increased risk of long-term adverse cardiovascular (CV) effects. Lifestyle behaviours – including physical activity (PA) levels – influence CV risk, and evidence indicates that CCSs participate less in PA than peers without a cancer history. Although a few interventions to promote PA among in CCSs have been tested, studies are severely limited methodologically and by a lack of understanding of what influences PA among CCSs. This project aims to explore and understand barriers and enablers of PA in CCSs, to inform development of an evidence and theory-based PA intervention to promote, support and improve PA levels in CCSs.
The project will recruit CCSs, their parents and healthcare professionals from two sites in England (the Great North Children's Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary to carry out the following work:
Work package 1 will involve in-depth interviews with (i) CCSs (with a haematological malignancy or solid or CNS tumour; diagnosed <18; currently aged 10 or older; 2-15 years post-treatment; treated in two major UK centres) and (ii) parents of CCSs, to explore factors that help and hinder PA participation among CCSs.
Work package 2 will bring together stakeholders (CCSs, parents, healthcare professionals and researchers) in co-design workshops to elicit: what is needed to improve CCSs’ PA levels; how an intervention should be designed; where and how it should be implemented; and the relevant components. A prototype intervention will be generated. Subsequent funding will be sought to refine and test the intervention. Long-term, the project will have significant potential to improve CCSs’ PA levels and physiological outcomes thereby reducing risk of CV late-effects.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NE/0274
Date of REC Opinion
4 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion