IMplementation of Physical Activity for Children and adolescents on Treatment (IMPACT) for Cancer Diagnoses in Alberta - Protocol for a Single-Arm, Mixed-Methods, Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trial

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Theodore

Physical activity is feasible, safe, and recommended for pediatric patients with cancer, yet levels remain low due to treatment effects such as fatigue and pain, isolation and immunosuppression, and geographic and transportation barriers with limited population-specific programming. Videoconference delivery may mitigate these challenges. The IMPACT intervention provides individualized, tailored sessions by an exercise professional over videoconference within a hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial assessing outcomes and implementation processes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Objective

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| JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS McLaughlin et al
Protocol
IMplementation of Physical Activity for Children and adolescents on Treatment (IMPACT) for Cancer Diagnoses in Alberta: Protocol for a Single-Arm, Mixed-Methods, Hybrid
Effectiveness-Implementation Trial | | --- | | Emma McLaughlin1, MSc; S Nicole Culos-Reed1,2,3, PhD; Carolina Chamorro-Viña 1,4, PhD; Beverly Wilson5,6, MD; Sara Fisher6, PT; Gregory MT Guilcher7, MD; Bridget Penney8, BA; Mira Penney8†; Laura Wich8, Dip. BCST; Janine Wich8 ; Amanda Wurz1,9,10, PhD | | 1Faculty ofKinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
2Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
3Department of Psychosocial Resources, Arthur JE Child Comprehensive Centre, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada 4Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, Calgary, AB, Canada
5Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada 6Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
7Hematology/Oncology/BMT Clinic, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada 8Participant Advisory Board, Calgary, AB, Canada
9School ofKinesiology, University of the Fraser Valley, Chilliwack, BC, Canada 10Research Institute, BC Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada †deceased
Corresponding Author:
Amanda Wurz, PhD
School ofKinesiology University of the Fraser Valley 45190 Caen Ave Chilliwack, BC, V2R 0N3 Canada
Phone: 1 604 504 7441 ext 2846
Email: [amanda.wurz@ufv.ca](amanda.wurz@ufv.ca)
Abstract | Background: Physical activity (PA) is feasible, safe, beneficial, and recommended for pediatric patients with cancer. Nevertheless, PA levels remain low due to treatment-related effects (eg, fatigue, pain), isolation and immunosuppression, geographic and transportation barriers, and limited access to population-specific programming. Delivering PA by videoconference may address some of these barriers. Thus, IMplementation of Physical Activity for Children and adolescents on Treatment (IMPACT) was developed. IMPACT is an individualized, tailored PA intervention delivered by an exercise professional over videoconference and is being evaluated in a hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial. Objective: The objectives ofthis trial include (1) assessing the effectiveness of IMPACT on participants’ device-measured PA (primary effectiveness outcome) and secondary effectiveness outcomes, including participant-and caregiver-reported PA and participant-and caregiver-reported quality of life, symptoms, cognitive function, resource use, and participant physical fitness outcomes (ie, participants’ aerobic endurance, lower body flexibility, shoulder flexion range of motion, balance, functional mobility); and (2) assessing the implementation of IMPACT and the trial through evaluating recruitment, indices of feasibility, delivery time, expertise, cost, fidelity of intervention delivery, and adverse events. Methods: A single-arm, mixed-methods, type II hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial is being conducted, and the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, maintenance) framework is guiding evaluation. Pediatric patients with cancer and blood disorders diagnosed between 5 and 18 years of age are being recruited in Alberta. Following informed consent/assent and baseline assessments (ie, participants’device-measured PA, participant-and caregiver-reported outcomes, participant physical fitness outcomes), participants receive individualized, tailored PA sessions up to 3 times/week for 15-45 minutes/session over [https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e59302](https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e59302) XSL• FO RenderX JMIR Res Protoc 2025 | vol. 14 | e59302 | p. 1 (page number not for citation purposes) 12 weeks from an exercise professional via videoconference. Assessments are then completed postintervention (with the addition of a participant and caregiver interview) and at 6-and 12-mont

FAQs

Why is physical activity challenging for pediatric cancer patients?

Physical activity is feasible and recommended, but levels stay low due to treatment-related effects (eg, fatigue, pain), isolation and immunosuppression, and geographic and transportation barriers with limited access to tailored programming.

What is the IMPACT intervention?

IMPACT is an individualized, tailored physical activity intervention delivered by an exercise professional over videoconference, evaluated within a hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial.

How will the trial evaluate effectiveness and implementation?

Effectiveness is assessed using device-measured physical activity and participant-and caregiver-reported outcomes plus physical fitness outcomes, while implementation is evaluated through recruitment, feasibility, delivery time, expertise, cost, fidelity, and adverse events guided by RE-AIM.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Theodore