A randomized trial investigating an exercise program to prevent reduction of bone mineral density and impairment of motor performance during treatment for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Background Reduced bone mineral density (BMD), altered body composition, impaired motor performance and passive ankle dorsiflexion are side effects of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment. We performed a randomized study investigating whether an exercise program could prevent these side effe...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pediatric Blood & Cancer 2009-07, Vol.53 (1), p.64-71
Main Authors: Hartman, A., te Winkel, M.L., van Beek, R.D., de Muinck Keizer-Schrama, S.M.P.F., Kemper, H.C.G., Hop, W.C.J., van den Heuvel-Eibrink, M.M., Pieters, R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
ALL
Ankle - physiopathology
Anthropometry
Body Composition
Bone Density
Bone Diseases, Metabolic - etiology
Bone Diseases, Metabolic - prevention & control
bone mineral density
Child
Child, Preschool
children
exercise program
Exercise Therapy - methods
Female
Humans
Infant
Male
motor performance
Motor Skills - classification
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma - complications
Range of Motion, Articular
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Background Reduced bone mineral density (BMD), altered body composition, impaired motor performance and passive ankle dorsiflexion are side effects of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment. We performed a randomized study investigating whether an exercise program could prevent these side effects. Procedure At diagnosis we randomized 51 ALL patients (median age: 5.4 years) into a group receiving a 2‐year exercise program or a control group receiving standard care. BMD of total body (BMDTB), lumbar spine (BMDLS) and body composition were measured using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry, motor performance with Bayley Scales of Infant Development or Movement‐ABC, and passive ankle dorsiflexion with a goniometer. The investigator was blinded to the randomization. Results Body fat increased equally during treatment in both groups. One year after cessation of therapy more rapid decline of excessive body fat was observed in the intervention group than in the controls (P = 0.01). Lean body mass, BMDTB and BMDLS of both groups decreased equally during treatment and increased equally thereafter. Both groups showed a similar decrease in passive ankle dorsiflexion and motor performance during treatment. Adherence to the intervention program varied considerably. Adherence to intervention: 11% of children exercised daily, 37% > once a week, 16% once weekly, 36% 
ISSN:1545-5009
1545-5017
1096-911X
DOI:10.1002/pbc.21942