Prehabilitation in Childhood Soft Tissue or Bone Sarcomas
This study is investigating if gentle exercises can help children and teenagers who have bone or soft tissue cancer in their legs. These exercises, done before surgery and during early chemotherapy, aim to stop muscles and bones from getting too weak. When you have cancer treatment like chemotherapy and surgery, it can sometimes make you less strong and affect how well you move. This study wants to see if doing specific strength and balance exercises can improve a child's condition before surgery, potentially leading to a better recovery and a smoother rehabilitation process afterwards. It's a small study to see if this kind of exercise program is practical and safe, and to gather early information on how effective it might be.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This study is looking into a new way to support children and teenagers who have a type of cancer called sarcoma in their legs. Sarcomas can affect bones or the soft tissues like muscles. Treatments for these cancers, such as chemotherapy and surgery, can be very tough. They can sometimes make muscles and bones weaker, making it harder for young people to move around and do everyday activities, which is especially important during their growing years.
Usually, exercise programs to help with strength and movement are offered after surgery. However, this study wants to see if starting these exercises *before* the operation and during the first stages of chemotherapy, called "neoadjuvant chemotherapy," could make a difference. This approach, called 'prehabilitation', means getting stronger and fitter before a big medical event. Researchers believe that if young patients can maintain their strength and balance early on, it might help reduce these unwanted side effects and improve their recovery after surgery.
The main goal of this study is to find out if this prehabilitation exercise programme is practical, safe, and if young patients can stick with it. It also aims to collect early information that might show whether these exercises actually help improve their condition before surgery. Ultimately, the hope is that this could lead to better results after operations and a smoother journey towards getting back to full health for children and teenagers with leg sarcomas.
Key takeaways
- Looks at exercise before surgery for leg bone/soft tissue cancer.
- Aims to improve strength and balance.
- Could lead to better recovery after operations.
- Participation involves supervised exercises or standard care.
- Open to 6-18 year olds with recent diagnosis.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for young people aged between 6 and 18 years old who have recently been diagnosed with a specific type of bone or soft tissue cancer in their leg. The diagnosis must have been made within the last 10 days and confirmed by a biopsy (where a small tissue sample is taken for examination). You also need to be receiving your treatment at one of the two hospitals involved in this study.
You wouldn't be able to join if your doctors think that doing the exercises or measurements for the study could be harmful to you. This might include if you have a high risk of bleeding or fractures, are experiencing severe pain, have an infection, or feel very sick or dizzy. Any other medical conditions that would make exercising unsafe, or if your doctor advises against weight-bearing exercises in the affected leg, would also prevent you from participating.
The study also requires participants to be able to understand instructions and take part in tests. So, if there are language barriers that prevent you from understanding, or if a learning difficulty makes it hard to follow directions for the exercises or tests, you wouldn't be eligible to take part.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you between 6 and 18 years old?
- Have you recently (within 10 days) been diagnosed with bone or soft tissue cancer in your leg?
- Is your treatment at one of the two study hospitals?
- Are you able to understand instructions and participate in gentle exercises without other health risks?
- Do you have a biopsy confirming your diagnosis?
What does participation involve?
If you join this study, you will be part of a small group of children and teenagers. Half of the participants will be asked to do specific strength and balance exercises at least twice a week. Each exercise session will last for at least 30 minutes and will happen during your initial chemotherapy treatment, before surgery. These exercises will be supervised. The other half of the participants will not do any extra exercises for the study. The study aims to see if an exercise program before surgery can make a difference to recovery. There won't be any specific medication given for the study itself, only your regular cancer treatment. The overall duration of your direct involvement with the study exercises would be during your initial chemotherapy phase.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (2)
- Technical University of Munich, Germany; TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Pediatrics. German Center for Child and Adolescent Health (DZKJ), partner site MunichVerified postcodeMunich, Germany
- Dr. von Haunersches KinderspitalVerified postcodeMunich, Germany
Common questions
What is 'prehabilitation'?
Prehabilitation means doing exercises and getting stronger *before* an operation or treatment, to help you recover better afterwards.
What kind of exercises will I do?
You'll do special strength and balance exercises, designed to be safe for you, at least twice a week for at least 30 minutes per session.
Will these exercises replace my usual cancer treatment?
No, these exercises are an addition to your normal cancer treatment, not a replacement. You will still receive all your planned chemotherapy and surgery.
What if I feel unwell during the study?
Your doctors will always put your health first. If you feel unwell or if any medical reason makes exercising unsafe, you won't participate in the exercises that day or might be withdrawn from the study.
Why is this study important?
It's important because it could help doctors find new ways to support children and teenagers during cancer treatment, potentially making recovery easier and improving long-term health.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
Community discussion
Powered by our forum at community.patient.info. Please be respectful — this is not medical advice.