Research: Our next CHAMPS Study
March 10, 2022

CHAMPS 6 Month Exercise & Mental Wellness Study

The Mending Little Hearts Team was thrilled to be awarded funding from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) & the Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR) for our next CHAMPS study. We were honoured to be awarded the top research grant for this project at the SHRF Sante Excellence Awards in 2020.

Building on the momentum from our 2018 study, our team has developed a 6 Month Exercise & Mental Wellness program for children with congential heart disease. The 6-month program includes weekly virtual camps, as well as home-based exercise to help promote physical activity, heart health and psychological well-being.

Goals for this study are:

    1. Look at the impact of a 6-month patient-centered program for children with CHD
    2. Test the feasibility of a longer-term program
    3. Measure physical, psychological, and behavioural impacts in children with CHD compared to those not participating in CHAMPS, and to healthy children.
    4. Look at the impact of the 6-month program on short- and long-term physical activity levels

Dr. Marta Erlandson is an Assistant Professor, and part of our Mending Little Hearts Research team. She was recently featured in an article highlighting the importance of research for children with CHD. CLICK HERE to learn how CHAMPS is leading the way in this field!

Our team is devoted to patient-oriented research to help create an permanent, evidence-based CHAMPS program for children with CHD in Saskatchewan and across Canada. Thank you to those who have already volunteered to participate. Your participation directly influences the programs and resources available to your heart kids in Saskatchewan!

Do you have a heart child who would benefit from CHAMPS Camp? Want to help improve our program? Contact us to participate!