Author(s): CIACCIONI, S., BENZING, V., SCHMIDT, M., MAGALHÃES, P., ROSÁRIO, P., LEAL, L., PONTES, C., BRADIC, S., CAPRANICA, L., PESCE, C., Institution: UNIVERSITY OF ROME “FORO ITALICO”, Country: ITALY, Abstract-ID: 1885

Background: Hospital schools aim to ensure educational continuity for children and adolescents during hospitalisation. Despite its recognised educational, psychosocial, and health value, physical education (PE) is frequently marginalised in hospitals, with substantial variability across contexts, limited systematic evidence, or coherent policy frameworks. Therefore, the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions “Hospital schools’ guidelines On Physical Education” project (HOPE-‭101206417‬; European Commission, 2026) aims to provide an evidence-informed foundation for PE in hospital schools.‬‬‬
Aim: To describe the desk analysis underpinning the HOPE project, outlining its scope, structure, and rationale, and to clarify how this analysis will support the development of evidence-informed and context-sensitive guidelines for PE in hospital school settings.
Methods: Preregistered on PROSPERO (CRD420251156215), a structured desk analysis will be conducted comprising three complementary components: (i) an umbrella review of systematic reviews addressing interdisciplinary physical activity interventions for hospitalised children and adolescents; (ii) a systematic review of primary studies examining PE and movement-based interventions delivered within hospital school contexts by educational and clinical staff; and (iii) a narrative policy framework analysis mapping national and international regulations, guidelines, and policy documents relevant to hospital schooling and PE. Searches will be performed across multiple bibliographic databases and grey literature sources, without language or date restrictions. Study quality, risk of bias, and evidence certainty will be assessed using established appraisal tools, and findings will be synthesised narratively, with meta-analyses conducted where appropriate.
Results: Based on both the empirical and regulatory landscapes of PE in hospital schools, the resulting comprehensive overview will enable the identification of intervention characteristics, reported outcomes, implementation conditions, and recurrent barriers and facilitators, alongside cross-national variability in policy recognition and guidance. The integration of empirical evidence and policy analysis is anticipated to highlight critical gaps and inconsistencies that currently hinder coherent and equitable PE provision in these specific settings.
Conclusion: To advance PE in hospital schools, this desk analysis will provide a robust and transparent foundation for the HOPE project. By systematically consolidating research and policy evidence, this work is expected to support the development of practical, context-sensitive guidelines and to contribute to strengthening inclusive educational provision for hospitalised learners across diverse settings.
References: European Commission. 2026. Hospital schools' guidelines On Physical Education (HOPE). https://doi.org/10.3030/101206417