Effect of virtual exercise program on depression level and family’s perception during COVID-19 pandemic in child cancer survivor: a case report

Abstract

This study aimed to investigated the effect of a virtual exercise program on depression level during the COVID-19 pandemic in a patient who survived childhood cancer. An 8-year-old boy who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) about 4 years ago and survived after the treatment underwent a virtual aerobic exercise program tailered to face-to-face evaluations covering the lower and upper extremities and trunk under 5-week supervision. At the end of 5 weeks, his depression level did not decrease according to the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), but the family was asked verbal questions about the effectiveness of this program. The family reported that despite the quarantine period during the COVID-19 pandemic, this exercise program increased the activity level of their children and that the program had positive effects on their children's emotional state. For future studies, inventories containing more detailed questions that measure parameters such as pain and depression level after aerobic exercises applied in surviving children are needed.