Little is known about the effectiveness of the newly emerging technology of exergaming in reducing Cancer Related Fatigue (CRF). The study's primary aim was to examine the effectiveness of exergaming in reducing CRF; the secondary aims were to improve functional capacity/endurance and promote physical activity (PA) among children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In this Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), 45 children aged 6-14 years were randomly assigned into group-I, n = 22, and group II, n = 23. Group-I played exergaming of moderate intensity for 60 min, twice a week for three weeks. Group II was given an instructional session regarding the benefits of PA with advice to practice PA for 60 min twice a week. CRF, functional capacity/endurance, and PA were measured using the pediatric quality of life multidimensional fatigue scale (Ped-QLMFS), six-minute walk test (6-MWT), and Godin-Shepard Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (QSLTPAQ) respectively. All measurements were taken thrice; in the first, third, and fifth weeks of intervention. Group-I demonstrated a significant reduction of CRF, and a significant increase of functional capacity/endurance compared to group-II over the five weeks study period. The effect of time × intervention interaction was significant. Based on Cohen's guidelines, CRF and functional capacity/endurance had large effect sizes (η² = 0.41, p = .00) and (η² = 0.27, p = .00) respectively. The protocol of exergaming used in this RCT effectively reduces CRF and promotes functional capacity/endurance and PA in children with ALL undergoing chemotherapy. It may provide an alternative treatment modality to decrease the healthcare load.Key messagesCancer-related fatigue (CRF) is described as physical exhaustion, sleep disturbance, emotional distress, and cognitive dysfunction.Exergaming reduces CRF and promotes functional capacity/endurance and physical activity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia undergoing chemotherapy.Exergaming may provide an alternative treatment modality to decrease the healthcare load.

Background: Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes physical and cognitive challenges. Identifying the impact of sedentary behavior and physical activity on people with Down syndrome is crucial for early intervention. The purpose of this study is to compare physical activity and sedentary behavior among children with Down syndrome and typically developing children, as well as assess their relationship with quality of life. Methods: In the cross-sectional study, 67 children between the ages of 6 and 12 were enrolled: 29 in the Down syndrome group and 38 in the typically developing group. Each child wore an ActiGraph wGT3X-BT for seven days. Accelerometer data and quality of life data were analysed. Results: Physical activity and sedentary behavior were not significantly different between the Down syndrome and typically developing groups (p ˃ .05). With large effect sizes (partial eta squares ranging from 0.21 to 0.59), typically developing children had a significantly better quality of life than children with Down syndrome. There was a weak positive correlation between moderate physical activity and school performance in children with Down syndrome. For typically developing children, there is a weak negative correlation between light physical activity and physical function, school function, and total paediatric quality of life scale scores. Conclusions: This study indicates that children with Down syndrome have participated in more physical activities, resulting in a reduction in differences between them and typically developing children. Additionally, typically developing had higher quality of life than children with Down syndrome. For healthcare professionals and educators, these findings provide valuable insights into developing strategies to enhance physical activity for children with developmental disabilities.

Background and objective: Physical activity (PA) is paramount for childhood development and growth. However, children diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP) were often considered sedentary, and their physical inactivity was associated with adverse health conditions and complications. Therefore, this study aimed to objectively describe and compare the PA levels and SB levels of children with and without CP of the same age group. It also studied the factors correlating with PA, SB, and step count per day in children with CP.Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study using a wrist-worn accelerometer was conducted. PA and SB were measured over seven consecutive days.Results: Eighty-five children aged 6–12 years, consisting of 41 children with CP and 44 TD children, participated in this study with a mean age of 9.18 ± 1.95 and 8.45 ± 1.78 years, respectively. According to the gross functional measures, 53.6% of children with CP were classified as first classification. A significant amount of time was spent in SB and Light PA (LPA) by children with CP compared to TD children, and no significant differences were observed in moderate PA (MPA) or step count. Gender mainly affected MPA as girls spent more time in MPA than boys. The age, height, and weight of children with CP correlate significantly with SB. As children's age, height, and weight increase, SB increases. Additionally, children with higher weights have lower step counts per day.Conclusion: This study showed that children with CP spend more time in LPA and SB than typically developed children. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to encourage physical activity and reduce the sedentary lifestyle, to take into account the gender and anthropometric measures of children to enhance the quality of life among children with CP, and to consider gender and anthropometric measures of the children.

Background: Family–professional collaboration is important to enhance the outcomes for children with cerebral palsy and their caregivers. Aims: This study examined the effect of implementing a family–professional collaboration practice model on children with cerebral palsy and their caregivers. Materials and methods: A randomized, single-blind comparative study included 28 physical therapists, 44 children with cerebral palsy between the ages of 2 and 12 years old, and their caregivers. Physical therapists in the experimental group received training in how to implement collaboration in their therapy sessions over the course of two sessions (3 h each). The children’s achievement goal-range rate was measured using the Goal Attainment Scaling, the caregivers’ quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life—Brief, and the caregiver burden was evaluated using the Zarit Burden Interview. Results: All children showed improvement on the Goal Attainment Scaling change rate (p = 0.002), with no significant differences between groups (p < 0.44). However, a group × time interaction was observed. The Children Goal Attainment Scaling rate decreased between the two assessment sessions for children in the control group, while the Goal Attainment Scaling change rate was steady for the experimental group. There were no main effects of time and group or interaction of time × group reported on World Health Organization Quality of Life—Brief domains and no main effect of time on the Zarit Burden Interview, but there was a main effect between groups (p = 0.03), with partial eta square = 0.11 in favor of the experimental group. Conclusions: The family–professional collaboration practice model could be a potential practice to positively improve the outcomes in children with cerebral palsy and their caregivers.

Background: Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is common among lactating mothers. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of MSP and its association with the positioning of lactating mothers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey study using an online self-administered questionnaire. Results: 336 women aged 20–50 years participated in this study (58.3% reported vaginal delivery, 74.1% had one to four children, 61.3% had a bachelor’s degree or higher, and 45.5% worked). Only 25% of the mothers were given health education regarding MSP. 97.3% of mothers reported pain on at least one part of their body. There were differences in pain intensity ratings across different locations (with a median and interquartile range in parentheses): lower backs at 0 (0, 6) and upper backs at 2 (0, 5), necks at 3 (0, 6), shoulders at 3 (0, 5) and arms at 2 (0, 4), and hands at 1 (0, 4). MSP prevalence ranges from 58.6% for arm and hand to 72.3% and 67.6% for lower back and neck, respectively. MSP prevalence is significantly associated with breastfeeding positions (p < 0.001). A cradle position was the most commonly used (54.8%), and it was associated with MSP across different locations (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of lower back and neck pain is higher among breastfeeding mothers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MSP and breastfeeding position were significantly associated. Mothers received limited health education about MSP.

The study aimed to report within-session reliability, estimate the reference values for the Modified Timed Up and Go (mTUG) test in typically developing (TD) Saudi children aged 4–12 years old, dev...