ORCID Profile
0000-0001-6494-5861
Current Organisation
UNSW Sydney
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-05-2018
DOI: 10.1007/S00421-018-3900-5
Abstract: Increased arterial stiffness is observed with ageing and in in iduals with low cardiorespiratory fitness ([Formula: see text]O Fifty-one older adults (72 ± 5 years) were stratified into fitness tertiles ([Formula: see text]O After control, delta PWV increased over time (P < 0.001) and delta RM was unchanged. After higher-intensity interval exercise, delta PWV (P < 0.001) and delta RM (P < 0.001) were lower to control in all fitness groups. After moderate-intensity continuous exercise, delta PWV was not different from control in low-fit adults (P = 0.057), but was lower in the mid- and higher-fit older adults. Post-exercise AIx75 was higher to control in all fitness groups (P = 0.001). In older adults, PWV increases during seated rest and this response is attenuated after higher-intensity interval exercise, regardless of fitness level. This attenuation was also observed after moderate-intensity continuous exercise in adults with higher, but not lower fitness levels. Submaximal exercise reveals differences in the arterial stiffness responses between older adults with higher and lower cardiorespiratory fitness.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-09-2021
DOI: 10.1007/S40279-021-01542-6
Abstract: Changes in body composition during cancer treatments have been linked with poorer outcomes, and increased morbidity and mortality. The effect of resistance training (RT) on body composition in cancer cohorts is debated. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of RT on body composition during and after treatment. We searched five electronic databases for articles up to 1 February 2021 and included randomized controlled trials that compared RT with a non-exercise control in adults with cancer. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 tool. Pairwise, random-effects meta-analysis was used to synthesize the available data. Overall, we included 15 studies (n = 1368). After treatment (11 studies), RT increased lean mass with moderate heterogeneity {0.41 kg [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05, 0.76], p = 0.029 I Modest improvements in body composition were observed following RT after cancer treatment however, no changes were observed during treatment. These adaptations are markedly lower than those observed in healthy cohorts but may be clinically meaningful for the cancer survivorship population. At present it is unclear if these diminished adaptations are due to ineffective exercise prescriptions in cancer cohorts or due to an innate anabolic resistance as a result of cancer and its treatments. Open Science Framework (osf.io/x6z72).
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-08-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41431-022-01170-2
Abstract: Genome and exome sequencing (GS/ES) are increasingly being used in pediatric contexts. We summarize evidence regarding the actual and perceived understanding of GS/ES of parents of a child offered testing for diagnosis and/or management of a symptomatic health condition. We searched four databases (2008–2021) and identified 1264 unique articles, of which 16 met inclusion criteria. We synthesized data from qualitative and quantitative studies and organized results using Ayuso et al. (2013)’s framework of key elements of information for informed consent to GS/ES. Many of the parents represented had prior experience with genetic testing and accessed a form of genetic counseling. Parents’ understanding was varied across the domains evaluated. Parents demonstrated understanding of the various potential direct clinical benefits to their child undergoing GS/ES, including in relation to other genetic tests. We found parents had mixed understanding of the nature of potential secondary findings, and of issues related to data privacy, confidentiality, and usage of sequencing results beyond their child’s clinical care. Genetic counseling consultations improved understanding. Our synthesis indicates that ES/GS can be challenging for families to understand and underscores the importance of equipping healthcare professionals to explore parents’ understanding of ES/GS and the implications of testing for their child.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 10-2023
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-2022
DOI: 10.1007/S00520-022-07288-9
Abstract: Parents are important facilitators of physical activity for children, yet little is known about the perceptions of parents of childhood cancer survivors. We investigated parent perceptions of their own and their child’s physical activity levels after cancer treatment and examined associations with clinical, demographic, and psychosocial factors. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 125 parents and 125 survivors. Parents reported on the perceived importance of their child being physically active and concerns regarding exercising after cancer treatment. Parents and survivors self-reported median (range) of 127.5 (0–1260) and 220 (0–1470) min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Most parents ( n = 109, 98%) believed that physical activity was highly important for their child. Some parents ( n = 19, 17%) reported concerns, most commonly regarding exercise safety ( n = 7, 22%). Parents were more likely to perceive that their child should increase physical activity if their child was an adolescent and had high body fat percentage. Physical activity levels varied widely among survivors, reflecting factors including parents’ lifestyles, limited understanding of exercise benefits and perceptions of risk. Given survivors’ insufficient physical activity levels and sedentary behaviour among families, embedding physical activity promotion into health systems and follow-up support could benefit the entire family unit.
Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 17-08-2022
DOI: 10.2196/38367
Abstract: Childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk of cardiometabolic complications that are exacerbated by poor health behaviors. Critically, many survivors do not meet physical activity guidelines. The primary aim was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of iBounce, a digital health intervention for educating and engaging survivors in physical activity. Our secondary aims were to assess the change in survivors’ physical activity levels and behaviors, aerobic fitness, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after participating in the iBounce program. We recruited survivors aged 8 to 13 years who were ≥12 months post cancer treatment completion. The app-based program involved 10 educational modules, goal setting, and home-based physical activities monitored using an activity tracker. We assessed objective physical activity levels and behaviors using cluster analysis, aerobic fitness, and HRQoL at baseline and after the intervention (week 12). Parents were trained to reassess aerobic fitness at home at follow-up (week 24). In total, 30 participants opted in, of whom 27 (90%) completed baseline assessments, and 23 (77%) commenced iBounce. Our opt-in rate was 59% (30/51), and most (19/23, 83%) of the survivors completed the intervention. More than half (13/23, 57%) of the survivors completed all 10 modules (median 10, IQR 4-10). We achieved a high retention rate (19/27, 70%) and activity tracker compliance (15/19, 79%), and there were no intervention-related adverse events. Survivors reported high satisfaction with iBounce (median enjoyment score 75% ease-of-use score 86%), but lower satisfaction with the activity tracker (median enjoyment score 60%). Parents reported the program activities to be acceptable (median score 70%), and their overall satisfaction was 60%, potentially because of technological difficulties that resulted in the program becoming disjointed. We did not observe any significant changes in physical activity levels or HRQoL at week 12. Our subgroup analysis for changes in physical activity behaviors in participants (n=11) revealed five cluster groups: most active, active, moderately active, occasionally active, and least active. Of these 11 survivors, 3 (27%) moved to a more active cluster group, highlighting their engagement in more frequent and sustained bouts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity 6 (56%) stayed in the same cluster and 2 (18%) moved to a less active cluster. The survivors’ mean aerobic fitness percentiles increased after completing iBounce (change +17, 95% CI 1.7-32.1 P=.03) but not at follow-up (P=.39). We demonstrated iBounce to be feasible for delivery and acceptable among survivors, despite some technical difficulties. The distance-delivered format provides an opportunity to engage survivors in physical activity at home and may address barriers to care, particularly for regional or remote families. We will use these pilot findings to evaluate an updated version of iBounce. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12621000259842 anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=ACTRN12621000259842
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Date: 02-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-06-2021
DOI: 10.1002/PBC.29134
Abstract: Childhood cancer survivors do not engage in sufficient physical activity and have low fitness levels. Perceived physical activity and fitness levels may influence survivors’ engagement in health behaviours. We aimed to investigate survivors’ perceptions of physical activity and fitness levels and identify how accurate their perceptions were. We further explored survivors’ attitudes toward physical activity, including perceived importance and desire to increase activity levels. We recruited 116 childhood cancer survivors (8–18 years) and assessed their perceived physical activity levels using a questionnaire and the Godin's Leisure Score Index. Accuracy of their perceptions was established by comparing their perceived physical activity levels with the recommended guidelines. Survivors reported their perceived fitness levels using the International Fitness Scale. We compared survivors’ perceptions with their performance on the 6‐minute walk test using weighted Cohen's kappa to determine interrater agreement between perceived and objectively measured fitness. Most survivors did not meet the physical activity guidelines ( min/week). One‐third incorrectly perceived whether their self‐reported physical activity levels were appropriate (84% underestimated, while 16% overestimated). Survivors had average fitness and were inaccurate at perceiving their fitness level. Survivors highly valued the importance of being able to do physical activity, and 89% reported a desire to increase their physical activity. Our results reveal that many survivors are not accurate when perceiving their physical activity and fitness levels. Emphasising the need for objective fitness assessments, and patient education in clinical practice may support survivors to accurately perceive their physical activity and fitness levels, thus improving health behaviours.
No related grants have been discovered for Lauren Ha.