A Gym for Children with Cancer at the Maternal Hospital of Málaga:

The Maternal and Child Hospital of Malaga inaugurated its Sports Club for oncohematological patients this Monday. A unique and pioneering space, driven by the Cesare Scariolo Foundation along with the hospital, designed to "improve quality of life" through both physical and emotional rehabilitation. The "gym" will be equipped to offer a wide range of games and exercises for children, which, according to the center's experts, will be accompanied by tutors and will receive "personalized" attention as an effective complement tailored to their needs.

"This hospital realized some years ago that without humanism there is no real progress. We manage not only to cure but also to improve their emotional state. The physical activity of sports is crucial; the release of oxytocin and endorphins reduces pain, as well as the need for painkillers, making treatments more acceptable to them and more effective. Ultimately, it is another tool to promote a moment of well-being and joy that will greatly facilitate healing," highlighted Carlos Bautista, the regional delegate of Health and Consumer Affairs in Malaga, during the event.

With this, the sports area, located within the hospital in an outdoor area, has seen an investment of "about 25,000 euros" and took a year to develop. It now features elements with which oncohematological patients can interact to strengthen their physical and psychological health. These include a small goal; a basketball hoop; balls; mats with weights, a ball pit for the little ones, a dartboard, etc.

Beyond Play and Sport

In this context, Francisco Luna, the director of the clinical management unit for physical medicine and rehabilitation at the center and researcher, emphasized that the space "goes much beyond play and sport" and becomes a place of "hope, smiles, and normalization" for the children. "Rehabilitation is essential and brings an integral approach that seeks to maintain or recover the physical, cognitive, and emotional functionality of our little patients. It's a pillar during and after treatment, helping to minimize the side effects of the illness and its therapies."

These activities can also "help to reduce the anxiety and depression" that can arise from the pathology or the various, sometimes successive, hospital admissions, and improve "their self-esteem and body image" as part of a "multidisciplinary intervention". Moreover, it helps to "counteract the negative effects of prolonged rest and treatments", such as muscle atrophy or "weakness", by improving joint mobility, cardiopulmonary function, and control and minimization of "pain" among other sequelae derived from chemotherapy. "Rehabilitation is vital, ensuring that the child returns home with the best possible quality of life and ready to reintegrate into their social and school life. These spaces not only promote fun, but they also directly contribute to improving functionality and physical and emotional recovery," he insisted.

In this sports club, a rehabilitation doctor will work with pediatricians, pediatric oncologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, and nurses. Although they maintain that "it would be necessary" to have a neuropsychologist, which "the Andalusian Health System does not have". "It's important to know that sports, especially in our little patients, not only increase survival. It's a satisfaction that they can have that area of sport. The professionals will decide which type will be most suitable for each one so that they live longer and better," pointed out José Antonio Ortega, manager of the Maternal and Child Hospital and Regional University Hospital of Malaga.

Thus, Laura García, an oncologist at the Maternal and Child Hospital, specified that they register "around 70 new oncological and hematological cases per year" and that referral to this club will depend on the "individual characteristics" of each patient. "Not all children are candidates, but many are." "After so much work, we will try to continue improving in machinery, infrastructure, and especially in an individualized treatment plan," added Esmeralda Núñez, head of the Pediatrics service at the same hospital and researcher of the multidisciplinary pediatric research group at IBIMA BIONAND Platform.

The Children's Sports Club will operate under a specific protocol approved by the pediatric, hematology, rehabilitation, and citizen participation services, ensuring the clinical safety of the patients, professional supervision, and compliance with necessary hygiene and protection measures. With this, the Maternal and Child Hospital, dependent on the Andalusian Health Service (SAS), has made the initiative a reality on a platform for clinical innovation and applied research in childhood cancer, which will allow for advancements in new models of multidisciplinary care and personalized rehabilitation in the pediatric field.

"It has been work for many months with many professionals from different areas. This is the importance of that networked work, of having created this beautiful space, not only for sports but also with a bit of leisure so that the hospitalized children have their own space and can improve their quality of life. We are very proud to be part of the project," concluded Pilar Ponferrada, manager of the Cesare Scariolo Foundation.