Project Goals

In this study, we will evaluate the effectiveness of the “Kids are Moving” exercise program. The exercise program will follow program guidelines set up by the American College of Sports Medicine and will be adapted for children with cancer. Children ages 6 to 18 years who are receiving chemotherapy, and their parents, will be coached on how to increase their physical activity and will receive an exercise prescription. This will occur as part of the standard care they receive from the nurse practitioners during the first six months of their outpatient visits. We want to find out if children in the Kids are Moving program are more active and have less fatigue. Activity will be measured through patient questionnaires about activity and fatigue, and by wearing the FitBit® activity tracker. Outcomes will be compared to measurements collected from children who received usual care before the exercise program started.

Physical activity is a vital for improving health and quality of life and for providing energy for engaging in positive life experiences as children move along the developmental continuum to a long and healthy future. Outcomes of the study will provide a foundation for larger multi-site clinical trials.

"Alex's Lemonade Stand is a major source of support for nurse researchers in pediatric oncology. Personally, I am so grateful for the Independent Nurse Researcher grant I received. This grant will allow me to advance my program of research in testing new ways to engage children with cancer and their families to become more physical active during treatment. I am excited to partner with children, parents,and frontline clinicians in improving health and decreasing distressing symptoms during cancer treatment. My heartfelt thanks to all those who make Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation possible."

-Casey Hooke