Wearable Technology-Supported Exercise Program for Fatigue and Quality of Life in Pediatric Cancer Patients (WE-EX PedsCa)

Children and adolescents receiving cancer treatment often experience fatigue, reduced physical activity, and decreased quality of life. Although exercise has been shown to reduce these problems, maintaining regular and safe physical activity during cancer treatment can be difficult due to treatment side effects, safety concerns, and limited access to supervised programs. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of a wearable technology-supported exercise program on fatigue and health-related quality of life in pediatric cancer patients aged 13 to 18 years. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will participate in an 8-week structured exercise program delivered through a mobile application, including video-guided exercise sessions performed three times per week and monitored continuously using a wearable activity tracker. The control group will receive standard care and will wear the activity tracker for passive monitoring only. Fatigue and quality of life will be assessed at baseline, mid-intervention, and after completion of the program. Physical activity, heart rate, sleep patterns, and adherence to the exercise program will be objectively monitored using wearable devices. The findings from this study are expected to provide evidence on whether a digitally delivered, wearable-supported exercise program is a feasible and beneficial approach to improving well-being in children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment.

Sex

All

Minimum age

13 Years

Maximum age

18 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 13 to 18 years.
* Diagnosed with cancer and followed at a pediatric hematology-oncology clinic.
* Currently receiving active cancer treatment and has completed at least one cycle of chemotherapy.
* Clinically stable and medically cleared by the treating physician to participate in low-to-moderate intensity exercise.
* Able to understand instructions and communicate verbally.
* Willing to participate in at least 75% of the prescribed exercise sessions.
* Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian and assent obtained from the participant.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Presence of acute infection, uncontrolled cardiac or pulmonary disease, respiratory failure, or uncontrolled hypertension.
* Severe neurological, psychiatric, or musculoskeletal conditions that limit safe participation in exercise.
* Persistent thrombocytopenia (\<10,000/µL) or known coagulation disorders.
* Uncontrolled seizure disorders.
* Central nervous system metastases.
* Any medical or psychological condition deemed by the treating physician to contraindicate exercise participation or compromise study procedures.