2.1 Participants
This preliminary study reports on 12 childhood cancer patients or
survivors (ages 5–17, 5 female) recruited from the Children’s Hospital
of Michigan Hematology/Oncology clinic (Detroit, MI) and from local
cancer support groups and organizations (e.g., Kids Kicking Cancer,
Gilda’s Club of Metro Detroit). Data were collected from August 2017
through January 2019 as a part of a larger prospective study examining
the effects of a martial arts-based program, Kids Kicking Cancer
(www.kidskickingcancer.org), on
pain, emotional distress, and health-related quality of life among
children with cancer (Supplemental Methods 1.1). Eligible participants
were ages 5–17 (inclusive), English-speaking, and previously diagnosed
with any form of pediatric cancer that did not include the central
nervous system. Youth were excluded if they had MRI contraindications
(e.g., claustrophobia, braces, non-MRI compatible port), major sensory
impairments (e.g., severe vison loss), comorbid neurological disorders
(e.g., epilepsy), gross neuropathologies (e.g., ventriculomegaly),
pervasive developmental disorders, or other severe psychopathology
(e.g., schizophrenia). The study was approved by the Wayne State
University Institutional Review Board. Written informed consent and
assent were obtained from participating primary caregivers (i.e., parent
or legal guardian) and youth, respectively. Participant demographics and
clinical characteristics are provided in Table 1 .