Exercise oncology: Better health for survivors

The iBounce digital health program

Lauren is being funded by The Kids’ Cancer Project to further test a program she’s just launched, called iBounce. She modified an already existing program, called iEngage©, to target survivors of childhood cancer in a home-setting. The program teaches children who’ve been through cancer about making regular movement a part of their lives.

“iBounce is a patient-centred intervention that engages young survivors in physical activity,” Lauren says.

Amidst the drama of the hospital experience, exercise can often, understandably, take a back seat to survival.

Read more: The iBounce digital health program.

“iBounce is all online, so users can connect via the app that connects to activity trackers,” she says. “Not only do we teach them how to monitor their physical activity, but we also teach them how to further improve the amount they’re doing to ensure they’re being active enough.”

“They don’t have to come back to the hospital to be part of the program. They don’t have to go to a clinic, or a gym. They can do it in their own home, with their family.”

During iBounce’s pilot program, parents highlighted the value in the conversations it prompted surrounding exercise and physical health with their child.

“iBounce facilitated activities with the whole family and parents were able to join their child to exercise. Some parents noted that they didn’t realise how much fitness their child had lost, so iBounce was a program that got them talking about the importance of physical activity and healthy eating.”

The road to thriving post-treatment

iBounce has already gone through pilot testing. This funding will help move Lauren’s research forward to the next stage.

“I’m excited to collaborate with young survivors and their families, to listen to their lived experiences. I can’t wait to work with them to develop iBounce into a version that’s viable for all survivors to use, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and rural areas.”

Lauren will also be researching whether participating in the iBounce program improves a child’s confidence to exercise following cancer treatment. After missing a great deal of school and other social opportunities, post-treatment years can be difficult to navigate. There’s a strong possibility that having good levels of fitness and being involved in sport could go some way toward reducing their risk of future health problems.

To find out more about iBounce , follow progress at the Behavioural Sciences Unit web page or Facebook page. Follow Lauren’s research on Twitter @LaurenHa25.