Characteristics and Challenges of Physical Fitness, Activities, and Social Participation of Childhood Cancer Survivors / The Japanese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine

ABSTRACT

Objective：We conducted a new physical fitness test and assessed activity and social participation in pediatric cancer survivors who participated in our hospital events and examined its characteristics and issues.Subjects：A total of 30 children aged 5 years or older (median age 9 years, 17 boys, 13 girls) were enrolled in the study. They were chosen from a pool of 44 pediatric cancer survivors who participated in our hospital's long-term follow-up events from August 2018 to August 2019.Methods：Medical records and evaluations performed at the events were examined retrospectively. Survey items included sex, diagnosis, age at evaluation and onset, years since discharge, physical and cognitive functions, new physical fitness test results, and ability to perform basic physical activity.Results：Regardless of the number of years since discharge from the hospital, physical fitness tended to be lower than the national average for both sexes and all ages, with a particular decline in endurance. Twenty-six of the 30 subjects (87%) were able to attend school all day and go out for a day. In addition, 11 (37%) participated in physical activities other than physical education and club activities.Conclusions：Childhood cancer survivors may have a long-term, persistent decline in physical fitness, even if they are able to participate in academic, leisure, and social activities, such as exercise lessons. It is beneficial to provide continuous support for physical fitness during hospitalization and throughout life, as well as to accomplish activities and social participation in accordance with growth.