The potential of Freestyle Motocross (FMX) therapy as integrative medicine in pediatric oncology: A pre-post study design

Introduction: Pediatric oncology integrative medicine is a growing field which needs further dedicated studies to expand the general awareness about the role of integrative therapies in mitigating the pediatric oncology experience. The present study intended to discover the potential of an innovative approach known as Freestyle Motocross Therapy (FMX Therapy) to support hospitalized pediatric cancer patients, their parents and doctor-nurse professionals. The specific aim was to explore if the quality of their oncology experience improved after FMX Therapy. Method: This was a pre-post interventional study involving 50 pediatric patients with oncological disease (average age 9.2; 43 % male; 73 % leukemia diagnosis), 50 parents (average age 33.2; 83 % female) and 25 doctor-nurse professionals (95 % female). The self-report questionnaire was completed by children/adolescents, parents and professionals before (Time 0) and after (Time 1) FMX Therapy, to assess several health outcome measures (e.g., pain, stress). Results: After therapy, results showed a reduction in the average perception of pain in children/adolescents (Time 0 = 3.34 vs Time 1 = 1.66, p < .0001) and in the average perception of stress in parents (Time 0 = 6.92 vs Time 1 = 4.06, p < .0001). For both patients and parents, there was an increase in positive emotions and a reduction in negative emotions after FMX Therapy. Doctor-nurse professionals also highlighted the positive effects of FMX Therapy. Conclusion: FMX Therapy improves the pediatric oncology experience, and it appears to have all the features to be considered a nascent field with great potential as integrative medicine for patients, parents and professionals.