Indoor Wall Climbing with Childhood Cancer Survivors: An Exploratory Study on Feasibility and Benefits

Abstract

Background Exercise interventions in pediatric oncology include primarily traditional types of physical activity (PA) such as endurance and strength training, while there is a growing interest in recreational types of PA for pediatric cancer survivors, as well. One of these motivating and fun activities is indoor wall climbing. Therefore, this exploratory study aims to evaluate the feasibility and beneficial effects of a 10-week indoor wall climbing intervention in pediatric oncology.

Patients Thirteen childhood cancer survivors aged 6–21 years were included after cessation of their inpatient medical treatment of whom eleven completed the study.

Methods Study participants completed measurements of physical functioning at baseline (t0) and post-intervention (t1), as well as a questionnaire on program satisfaction at t1.

Results Survivors participated in 57.43±31.77% of the climbing sessions and no adverse events occurred. Most study participants evaluated the climbing experience to be fun and motivational. One child stated that the climbing intervention was too exhausting/overstraining. Significant positive effects were found in terms of ankle DF-ROM and ankle DF strength.

Discussion Indoor wall climbing seems feasible with childhood cancer survivors and suggests beneficial potentials on physical functioning. However, some preconditions (i. e. close supervision; slow increase of intensity; sufficient breaks) must be ensured.

Conclusion Indoor wall climbing could be a motivational adjunct to traditional types of exercise in pediatric oncology.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund Bewegungstherapeutische Interventionen in der pädiatrischen Onkologie schließen in erster Linie traditionelle Bewegungsformen wie bspw. Kraft- und Ausdauertraining ein. Es besteht jedoch vermehrtes Interesse an motivierenden Freizeitaktivitäten wie bspw. Klettern. Deshalb untersucht die vorliegende explorative Studie die Machbarkeit und Effektivität einer 10-wöchigen Kletterintervention in der pädiatrischen Onkologie.

Patienten Dreizehn Überlebende einer pädiatrischen Krebserkrankung im Alter von 6–21 Jahren, die die stationäre medizinische Behandlung abgeschlossen haben, wurden in die Studie eingeschlossen. Elf Studienteilnehmer/innen beendeten die Intervention und wurden in die Auswertung einbezogen.

Methodik Die Studienteilnehmer/innen nahmen vor (t0) und nach (t1) der Intervention an Testungen zur körperlichen Fitness teil. Ergänzend beantworteten sie einen Fragebogen zur Zufriedenheit mit der Kletterintervention.

Ergebnisse Die Teilnahmequote lag bei 57.43±31.77%. Es traten keine unerwünschten Ereignisse auf. Die meisten Studienteilnehmer/innen gaben an, dass ihnen die Kletterintervention Spaß gemacht hat und motivierend war. Ein Kind empfand die Kletterintervention als zu anstrengend und überfordernd. Signifikant positive Effekte konnten in Bezug auf die Beweglichkeit und Kraft im Sprunggelenk nachgewiesen werden.

Diskussion Klettern mit Überlebenden einer pädiatrischen Krebserkrankung scheint machbar und lässt positive Effekte auf ausgewählte physische Parameter vermuten. Dennoch müssen einige Sicherheitsaspekte (u. a. enge Überwachung, langsame Intensitätssteigerung, ausreichend Pausen) beachtet werden.

Schlussfolgerung Klettern kann eine vielversprechende Ergänzung zu den bisherigen Bewegungsinterventionen in der pädiatrischen Onkologie darstellen.

Key words

children - exercise - rehabilitation - climbing - cancer - oncology

Schlüsselwörter

Pädiatrie - Bewegung - Rehabilitation - Klettern - Krebs - Onkologie

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