The Development and Feasibility of an At-Home, Internet-Based Exercise and Nutrition Education Program in Child Cancer Survivors

Abstract

This development and feasibility study aimed to determine if an online exercise and nutrition education program provided a more feasible mode of accessing health information in child cancer survivors. Exercise and proper nutrition has been shown to aid in the management of cancer-related impairments and natural linear growth. Ten families of childhood cancer survivors agreed to participate in the 8-week study. Families and survivors were required to watch a 10-15 minute video each week containing education on proper exercise and nutrition techniques. Child survivors were sent exercise diaries to self-track daily activity and food consumption. Feasibility feedback and considerations from families were the primary measures of the study and were gauged through email and phone conversations. Quality of Life (QoL) was measured through the RAND 36-Item Health Survey and served as our secondary measure. Subjects performed an average of 5 hours a week of activity demonstrated in the online videos. Families found online avenues to be less cost and time consuming as well as more convenient way to access this information.