Can Steps per Day Reflect Symptoms in Children and Adolescents Undergoing Cancer Treatment?
Janice S Withycombe, Molly McFatrich, Pamela S Hinds and 8 others
PMID 35131975WHAT IT FOUND
Lower step counts in children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment tracked worse fatigue, more symptoms, and poorer physical activity and function.
Average steps reduced by 1040 between time points and were lower in hospitalized children.
Key findings
01Average steps-per-day reduced by 1040 between the two time points in children and adolescents with complete data.
02Self-reported physical activity, physical function-mobility, and fatigue were associated with steps-per-day; a 3-point worsening in fatigue was associated with 94.8 fewer steps-per-day.
03Each additional reported symptom was associated with 114 fewer steps-per-day.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study included only English-speaking children at five centers, so it may not apply to all children with cancer. Many children did not have usable step data at both time points; only 46 had complete data. Missing step data were not filled in, and non-wear was common. The small sample may have limited ability to detect associations with individual symptoms. The study counted symptoms as present or absent, not how severe or interfering they were. The findings are associations only and do not show that low steps caused symptoms or that symptoms caused low steps.
Declared interests
The authors reported no conflicts of interest. The publication types indicate non-U.S. government and NIH extramural research support.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that wearing a step monitor or increasing steps will improve symptoms. This study only observed associations between step counts and self-reported symptoms, function, and fatigue; it did not test an intervention or prove cause.