Therapeutic exercise in pediatric oncology. Development of a pilot project

The prevention of disease- and treatment-related side effects is essential in pediatric oncology in order to improve the quality of survival. Additionally, clinical exercise programs are becoming increasingly important in pediatric oncology. Based on a specific problem analysis and data from the current literature, recommendations concerning the content and structural conditions of exercise programs in pediatric oncology were defined. The exercise programs should be conducted in familiar surroundings integrating parents and siblings. While supervised programs seem to be more effective, they must also fit into the patient's daily life. Exercise programs should consider age-related physiological principles, diagnosis, side-effects, and physical functioning in order to achieve positive effects on physiological, psychological, social, and educative levels. According to the translational approach, all scientific results are integrated into the care structure within a pilot project.