Investigating fine and gross motor deficits in pediatric patients off therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

TL;DR

This study examines motor skills in children who have completed treatment for leukemia, finding both deficits and strengths compared to typical development.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into specific motor skill deficits and strengths in pediatric leukemia survivors post-therapy.

Findings

Manual coordination, strength, agility, and running speed showed significant deficits in ALL patients.

Fine motor integration and bilateral coordination were better than normative data.

Overall motor performance was similar to typical norms despite specific deficits.

Abstract

To assess motor performance among Czech paediatric off therapy patients of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and to compare their data with normative data.

Thirty-nine off therapy patients (21 girls, 18 boys; aged 4–21 years) were evaluated using the Complete Form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test Second Edition (BOT-2 CF) approximately 1.5 years post-therapy cessation. Gross and fine motor skills were assessed. Normative data from BOT-2 CF served as the basis for comparison.

The total motor composite (p = .381, Cohen’s d = 0.14) and overall fine (p = .743; Cohen’s d = 0.05) and gross (p=.312; Cohen’s d = 0.16) motor performance were similar to the normative data. Motor deficits in manual coordination (p = .018; Cohen’s d = 0.45), strength and agility (p = .012; Cohen’s d = 0.51), manual dexterity (p < .001; Cohen’s d = 0.59) and running speed and agility (p < .001; Cohen’s d = 0.97) were identified, along with performance better than the established norms on fine motor integration (p = .048; Cohen’s d = 0.33) and bilateral coordination (p = .018; Cohen’s d = 0.47).

The findings suggest nuanced motor skill outcomes in ALL off therapy patients, with both deficits and strengths observed. Comprehensive assessments are vital for tailoring rehabilitation strategies to address the varied impacts of ALL and its treatment on motor skills.

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