Moving Forward Together: A Protocol to Co-Adapt and Scale a Videoconference-Delivered Physical Activity Intervention for Children and Adolescents Diagnosed With Cancer or Blood Disorders in British Columbia, Ontario, and the Maritime Provinces.

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) is safe and beneficial for children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer, yet most engage in low levels of PA. We developed IMPACT (IMplementation of Physical Activity for Children and adolescents on Treatment), a PA intervention delivered by videoconference to enhance PA among young people during treatment for cancer and blood disorder diagnoses. IMPACT is being evaluated in a type II hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial in Alberta, Canada. While referral rates are high and early visual analyses suggest IMPACT may enhance PA and aspects of quality of life and physical function, participation, retention, and adherence rates are low. Findings signal the positive effect of IMPACT for those who participate and underscore the necessity of implementation adaptations. On the basis of these early findings, a demonstrated desire, and funding for PA at sites across Canada, we must first reimagine IMPACT through active collaboration with research users-those who will refer to and/or use or benefit from the intervention.

OBJECTIVE

Over the next 5 years, our larger research program will (1) co-adapt IMPACT and prepare for scaling (phase 1) and (2) implement and evaluate co-adapted IMPACT across additional provinces in Canada (phase 2). Specific aims for phase 1 are detailed herein and include (1) identifying necessary IMPACT modifications, (2) examining site-specific factors influencing IMPACT implementation, and (3) developing an implementation research logic model to guide continued scaling.

METHODS

An integrated knowledge translation and patient-oriented research approach and pragmatic orientation have been adopted. A multiple-perspective mixed methods study is underway. Descriptive surveys and interviews, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research 2.0, are being conducted with key research user groups, including children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders (on- and off-treatment), carers, health care providers, and support organization personnel. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and framework analysis. An implementation research logic model will be developed with participants and IMPACT co-adaptation advisory board members and program partners and collaborators.

RESULTS

Funding was secured, and initial ethics approval was granted on June 10, 2025. Additional administrative and full approvals were secured subsequently. Recruitment started in July 2025 in British Columbia and is commencing across sites in a staggered manner. Full results (ie, all site-specific modifications and implementation strategies and the final version of the implementation research logic model) are expected to be submitted for publication late 2026.

CONCLUSIONS

Co-adaptation of IMPACT with research users will enhance the likelihood of relevance, acceptability, and uptake nationally. The resulting data will inform a model to guide continued scaling and a larger trial evaluating the co-adapted IMPACT intervention across British Columbia, Ontario, and the Maritime provinces. This work reimagines IMPACT for broader applicability across varied Canadian contexts..

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/92574.