IIS La Fe and the AECC present a project to improve the quality of life of children undergoing cancer treatment through physical exercise

The event introduced a multidisciplinary program aimed at improving physical fitness and emotional well-being in children undergoing cancer treatment.

The main objective of the AECC Chair is the implementation of a 12-week physical exercise program tailored to the individual needs of children undergoing treatment, combined with psychosocial interventions. This comprehensive approach aims to mitigate the long-term side effects of cancer treatment-such as fatigue, muscle weakness, and other health issues-thus improving the patients' overall quality of life.

The event featured the participation of Adela Cañete, Head of the Pediatric Oncology Unit at La Fe Hospital; Pilar Nos, Scientific Director of IIS La Fe; Antonio Llombart, Vice President of AECC Valencia; and Tomás Trénor, President of AECC Valencia. In addition, the collaborative model between AECC, IIS La Fe, the University of Valencia (UV), and Jaume I University (UJI) was presented. This partnership supports the project designed to assess the effects of a supervised exercise program and psychological support during pediatric cancer treatment.

Physical and psychological intervention in treatment

During the event, Julia Balaguer, a specialist in Pediatric Oncohematology at La Fe Hospital, explained how the Chair represents a collaborative network model across institutions and outlined the project's objectives, including improvements in muscle strength, cardiorespiratory capacity, and emotional well-being of the children.

Meanwhile, Inmaculada Aparicio, a researcher in Sports Biomechanics at the University of Valencia, presented the benefits of supervised and personalized physical exercise for children undergoing cancer treatment. Eladio Collado, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Jaume I University, emphasized the importance of physical activity in cancer treatment.

Iñaki Posada, a psycho-oncologist with AECC, spoke about the importance of psychological support in childhood cancer treatment, highlighting the role of psycho-oncology as an integral part of patient care.

Evaluation and phases of a comprehensive and humanized care program

This multidisciplinary project was developed with the goal of providing more comprehensive and personalized care for children with cancer, helping to reduce the physical and psychological aftermath of treatment. By combining pediatric oncology with physical activity and psychological support, this model is expected to be replicable in other institutions both nationally and internationally.

The program, which began in October 2024 and will run through 2027, will be carried out in three phases: pre-intervention evaluation, a 12-week intervention, and post-intervention evaluation. Throughout the process, various physical and psychological parameters of the patients will be measured to assess the impact of the intervention on their health and well-being.

This innovative approach has been designed to offer a comprehensive and humanized care model for pediatric cancer patients, aiming to improve both their physical and emotional health during treatment.

International context: SIOP experience

The International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) includes a Physical Activity and Childhood Cancer group, in which the Pediatric Oncology Unit of La Fe Hospital participates. This group shares experiences from projects that combine physical exercise and psychosocial support for pediatric cancer patients. These programs have proven effective in improving children's physical condition, reducing fatigue and anxiety, and increasing their quality of life during and after treatment. This experience supports the implementation of such programs, emphasizing the importance of physical activity as a key strategy to mitigate the side effects of cancer treatment and promote holistic recovery in patients.