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Investigating fine motor deficits during maintenance therapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Author(s) -
Hanna Silvia,
Elshennawy Shorouk,
ElAyadi Moatasem,
Abdelazeim Faten
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.28385
Subject(s) - medicine , lymphoblastic leukemia , rehabilitation , pediatrics , motor skill , methotrexate , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , leukemia , psychiatry
Objectives Children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in their early childhood are more susceptible to neuromuscular and musculoskeletal impairments. This cross‐sectional study was designed to address different types of fine motor impairments in Egyptian children diagnosed with ALL. Methods Fifty‐four children treated for ALL in maintenance phase aged from four to seven years were compared with an age‐ and sex‐matched control group. Fine motor performance was assessed using the total fine motor form of the Bruininks‐Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency‐second edition (BOT‐2). Sex‐ and age‐specific norms of BOT‐2 were used to calculate scale and standard scores in both groups. Results Children with ALL had significantly impaired fine motor skills in all subtests and composites of BOT‐2 compared with the typically developing group ( P < 0.00001). Cumulative doses of vincristine, methotrexate, and dexamethasone revealed no significant correlation with any BOT‐2 measure. Males performed significantly better than females in all BOT‐2 scores except for the fine motor integration subtest and the total fine motor control composite as no significant differences were observed. The protocol risk stratum, duration of maintenance treatment, and the age at assessment did not significantly affect the BOT‐2 measures. Conclusion About 67% of children with ALL on maintenance treatment experienced fine motor difficulties. Periodic evaluation along the course of chemotherapy could identify specific impaired fine motor domains providing the base for a successful rehabilitation program.