ABSTRACT
Background: Exercise promotes repair processes in the mouse brain and improves cognition in both mice and humans. It is not known whether these benefits translate to human brain injury, particularly the significant injury observed in children treated for brain tumors. Methods: We conducted a clinical trial with crossover of exercise training versus no training in a restricted sample of children treated with radiation for brain tumors. The primary outcome was change in brain structure using MRI measures of white matter (ie, fractional anisotropy [FA]) and hippocampal volume [mm3]). The secondary outcome was change in reaction time (RT)/accuracy across tests of attention, processing speed, and short-term memory. Linear mixed modeling was used to test the effects of time, training, training setting, and carryover. Results: Twenty-eight participants completed training in either a group (n=16) or a combined group/home (n=12) setting. Training resulted in increased white matter FA (Δ=0.05, P<.001). A carryover effect was observed for participants ~12 weeks after training (Δ=0.05, P<.001). Training effects were observed for hippocampal volume (Δ=130.98mm3; P=.001) and mean RT (Δ=-457.04ms, P=0.36) but only in the group setting. Related carryover effects for hippocampal volume (Δ=222.81mm3, P=.001), and RT (Δ=-814.90ms, P=.005) were also observed. Decreased RT was predicted by increased FA (R=-0.62, P=.01). There were no changes in accuracy. Conclusions: Exercise training is an effective means for promoting white matter and hippocampal recovery and improving reaction time in children treated with cranial radiation for brain tumors.
Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms/rehabilitation , Exercise Therapy , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Quality of Life , Recovery of Function , Survivors , Adolescent , Brain Neoplasms/therapy , Case-Control Studies , Child , Child, Preschool , Combined Modality Therapy , Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic , Cross-Over Studies , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Motor Skills/physiology , Neoplasm Staging , Neuropsychological Tests , Prognosis , Survival RateABSTRACT
There is some evidence that a combination of factors can reduce inflammation and associated metabolic risk factors. We studied the early cardiometabolic and inflammatory adaptations to a short-term exercise intervention with and without milk in obese adolescents. Fifty-four adolescents were randomized to consume milk post exercise (MILK) or a carbohydrate beverage (CONT) during one-week of daily exercise. Insulin levels were not different between the groups post training. Glucose was reduced over time in both groups (-9 ± 13 mg/ dl MILK and -6 ± 14 mg/dl CONT, p < .05) but not different between groups. There was a greater decrease in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the MILK group (-3 ± 6 mmHg MILK vs. 2 ± 7 mmHg CONT, p < .04). Milk provided postexercise did not affect C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or interleukin-6 (IL-6). The exercise intervention led to an increase in TNF-α in both groups (0.27 ± 0.7 pg/ml MILK and 0.48 ± 0.6 pg/ml CONT, p < .001). The early adaptations to a short-term exercise intervention in obese adolescents include a reduction in MAP and an increase in some inflammatory markers.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Physiological , Exercise/physiology , Milk , Pediatric Obesity/physiopathology , Adolescent , Animals , Arterial Pressure , Blood Glucose/metabolism , Blood Pressure , C-Reactive Protein/metabolism , Child , Dietary Carbohydrates/administration & dosage , Female , Humans , Insulin/blood , Interleukin-6/blood , Male , Single-Blind Method , Time Factors , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/bloodABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Children and youth with epilepsy have lower rates of self-reported and parent-reported physical activity as well as quality of life when compared with their peers. Increased physical activity may be associated with improved health and quality of life in children and youth with epilepsy through biopsychosocial mechanisms; however, supportive evidence is lacking. METHODS: This pilot study aims to determine the feasibility of pedometer use-an objective method-to assess daily steps and ability to complete quality of life-related questionnaires in children and youth with epilepsy. Feasibility was determined by percentage of study completion and participant enjoyment of physical activity in the form of walking as determined by the Childhood Self Adequacy and Predilection in Physical Activity. Secondary measures included the KidScreen 27 Quality of Life questionnaire, Childhood Depression Index, Body Mass Index, Harter's Self Perception Scale, and Parental Stress Index. CONCLUSIONS: Eight of 12 eligible participants completed the study. Step counts ranged from 266 to 17,220 steps per day. Seven participants found physical activity enjoyable regardless of step count, suggesting they would be amenable to participate in a future physical activity program.
