Motor and Basic Cognitive Functions in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Undergoing Induction or Consolidation Chemotherapy

Children with acute leukemia (ALL) often suffer from several disease and treatment related side-effects during treatment. The aim of the present study was to determine the gross and fine motor functioning and basic cognitive performance of children (n = 25) with ALL who were undergoing induction or...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Perceptual and motor skills 2021-06, Vol.128 (3), p.1091-1106
Main Authors: Yildiz Kabak, Vesile, Ekinci, Yasin, Atasavun Uysal, Songul, Cetin, Mualla, Duger, Tulin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemotherapy
Child
Child Development
Cognition
Cognitive ability
Consolidation Chemotherapy
Humans
Leukemia
Motor Skills
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma - drug therapy
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Summary:Children with acute leukemia (ALL) often suffer from several disease and treatment related side-effects during treatment. The aim of the present study was to determine the gross and fine motor functioning and basic cognitive performance of children (n = 25) with ALL who were undergoing induction or consolidation chemotherapy and to compare these characteristics to a normative group (n = 21) of age-matched typically developing children. We assessed the children’s motor functions with the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Second Edition-Short Form and the Nine-hole Peg Test, and we used the Modified Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) to evaluate their cognitive performance. Compared to the normative group, children with ALL had lower scores on total motor proficiency and sub-tests scores of motor functions (p < .05), and on the Nine-hole Peg Test performance (p < .05); but their cognitive performance on the MMSE was not significantly different. Children with ALL would likely benefit from structured exercise and rehabilitative interventions during chemotherapy to prevent and/or ameliorate ALL-related motor dysfunction. We also suggest that their cognitive functioning should be further investigated with more extensive well-validated neurocognitive tests for children (e.g., the Wechsler intelligence scales).
ISSN:0031-5125
1558-688X
DOI:10.1177/00315125211002065