School of Clinical Medicine Behavioural Sciences Unit

PICASSO Study

Assessment and perception of cardiovascular fitness in childhood cancer survivors

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Watch the video on the left to learn more about PICASSO, in a video featuring Dr Joanna Fardell and Exercise Physiologist David Mizrahi.

Information for parents

​Cardiovascular fitness is a strong indicator of current and future health, and is tested in many chronic health conditions. It provides information to monitor patients or to give recommendation to intervene with a lifestyle intervention. It is not currently tested systematically amongst childhood cancer survivors, who have been shown to reduce their cardiovascular fitness levels after treatment.

What does this study aim to achieve?

The aim of this project is to:

  • To determine if testing participants at a submaximal exercise intensity (below their maximum capacity) can predict their cardiovascular fitness.
  • To determine how accurate childhood cancer survivors are at perceiving their cardiovascular fitness
  • To determine the predictors of physical fitness in childhood cancer survivors.
  • Findings from this research will be used to inform recommendations on following up cardiovascular fitness levels of survivors.

What does this research involve?

​Participation in this study involves one face-to-face visit (approx. 75-90 minutes) completing two exercise tests to measure cardiovascular fitness, completing a body composition analysis and completing a questionnaire pack. A questionnaire will be sent to you and your child a month after completing the study, which can be completed as a paper copy with a return paid envelope included, or online. We also ask for consent to obtain your child’s treatment history from the hospital medical records.

Would you like to be involved?

Your child is invited to participate in this study if they are:

  • 18 years of age or under; and
  • Has completed treatment for cancer over one year ago

If you have any questions, please contact:

Mr David Mizrahi
d.mizrahi@unsw.edu.au
Ph: 0404 177 629

Prof Claire Wakefield
c.wakefield@unsw.edu.au
Ph: 02 9382 3113

Prof Richard Cohn
r.cohn@unsw.edu.au
Ph: 02 9382 1730