Complex behavioral interventions targeting physical activity and dietary behaviors in pediatric oncology: A scoping review

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 Aug;68(8):e29090. doi: 10.1002/pbc.29090. Epub 2021 May 15.

Abstract

As cancer and its treatment negatively impacts the long-term health and quality of life of survivors, there is a need to explore new avenues to prevent or minimize the impact of adverse effects in children with cancer and cancer survivors. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to report on the state of the evidence on the use and effects of complex behavioral interventions (CBI) targeting physical activity and/or dietary behaviors in pediatric oncology. Fourteen quantitative studies were included, evaluating interventions that used a combination of two or three different treatment modalities. Overall, studies demonstrated that it is feasible to implement CBI and that they can potentially improve physical activity and dietary behaviors as well as patient outcomes such as physical and psychological health. Unfortunately, due to a paucity of studies and the heterogeneity of the studies included in this review, no conclusive evidence favoring specific interventions were identified.

Keywords: behavioral studies; late effects; late effects of cancer treatment; pediatric oncology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Diet*
  • Exercise*
  • Humans
  • Medical Oncology
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Quality of Life*