Physical performance of nontransplanted childhood ALL survivors is comparable to healthy controls

Impact of physical activity on postural stability and coordination in children with posterior fossa tumor: randomized control phase III trial

Background

Posterior fossa tumor is a type of brain tumor that is located at the borders of both the brain stem and cerebellum. The cerebellum is the brain region in charge of balance and coordination. Pediatric patients diagnosed with posterior fossa tumor have been reported to fall frequently.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of balance and coordination training in these children.

Methods

This randomized control clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04528316) was carried out between September 2020 and April 2021 at Children’s Cancer Hospital-57357. The inclusion criteria were patients with posterior fossa tumor in maintenance phase and, age between 5 and 12 years. The exclusion criteria were patients who had a genetic disorder or suffer from mental retardation, a chronic lung disease, severe cardiomyopathy, or a neuromuscular disease that does not relate to tumor. The study participants were randomly assigned into three groups: Group I/Control group: they received Pilates core stability exercises program, Group II/Postural stability group: they received the same program plus HUMAC balance program, and Group III/Coordination group: they received the same program plus coordination exercises of BOT-2. The semi-parametric proportional odds model was used to compare follow-up scores of the Postural stability group vs Control, and Coordination group vs Control, while adjusting for baseline values. All tests were two sided, with alpha set to 0.05.

Results

Sixty children including 38 boys and 22 girls were enrolled in this study. In all three groups, postural stability and coordination improved significantly in terms of modified clinical test of sensory integration of balance, center of pressure, limits of stability, bilateral coordination, and upper-limb coordination.

Conclusion

The current study supports the value of adding postural stability and coordination training to the physiotherapy plan for children with posterior fossa tumor.

Trial registration number and date of registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04528316 on August 27, 2020.

Physical performance capacity after pediatric kidney transplant and clinical parameters associated with physical performance capacity

BACKGROUND

History of chronic kidney disease and kidney transplantation is known to influence physical performance capacity. The aim of this study was to compare the physical performance of pediatric kidney transplant recipients to healthy controls and to find possible correlations between clinical parameters and physical performance capacity.

METHODS

Twenty-four pediatric kidney transplant recipients (62.5% boys) were tested at a median age of 10.8 years. Physical performance capacity was tested with a test set including six different components assessing muscle endurance, strength, speed, and flexibility. The control group consisted of 273 healthy age-matched schoolchildren. Clinical parameters were collected as part of routine follow-up protocol. The majority of patients (62.5%) had congenital nephrotic syndrome of Finnish type (CNS) as primary diagnosis, and therefore, the results of CNS recipients were compared to the other disease groups.

RESULTS

The physical performance capacity in pediatric kidney transplant recipients was lower compared to healthy controls. Surprisingly, no statistically significant correlation was found between graft function and physical performance capacity. The CNS patients scored worse than patients with other diagnoses in all test domains except for sit-and-reach and shuttle run, but the differences did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

The physical performance of pediatric kidney transplant recipients is reduced, especially in those with congenital nephrotic syndrome. Clinical parameters, including graft function, did not predict physical performance capacity, suggesting that the reduced physical performance seems to be of multivariable cause. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Gross motor disorders in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and survivors: A systematic review

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children and toxicities related to treatment are common. One of these adverse effects is related to the musculoskeletal system and especially to gross motor skills that allow body movements: walking, running, jumping, and balance. This systematic review aims to describe gross motor impairments in pediatric patients with ALL during and after chemotherapeutic treatment and to identify the most commonly used tools for their assessment. Multiple electronic databases were searched for observational studies describing gross motor skills in children with ALL and the assessment tool used. The STROBE checklist was used to assess the reporting quality of each study. Ten studies were included in this review with assessments of gross motor skills in children with ALL undergoing treatment and survivors. Evidence suggests impairments in the performance of daily life activities during intensification and maintenance and persists up to 5 to 6 years after treatment´s cessation. Balance problems are noted at the start of treatment when the cumulative dose of vincristine is low and, in the survivors, it was the most reported alteration. These skills are essential for an adequate performance of children in daily life activities, recreation and leisure. We emphasize the need to assess gross motor skills and implement interventions that include physiotherapy and occupational rehabilitation in children with ALL.

Physical and functional performance assessment in pediatric oncology: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Research indicates reduced physical performance from diagnosis into survivorship of pediatric cancer patients. However, there is no systematic information or guideline available on the methods to assess physical performance and function in this population. The purpose was to systematically compile and describe assessments of physical performance and function in patients and survivors of pediatric cancer, including cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, speed, balance, flexibility, functional mobility, gait and motor performance test batteries.

METHODS

We searched the databases PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Database and performed abstract and full-text selection of 2619 articles according to the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews. Information on patients characteristics, assessments, information on validity and reliability, and relevant references was extracted.

RESULTS

In summary, 63 different assessments were found in 149 studies including 11639 participants. Most studies evaluated cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength with the majority conducted off treatment. Some outcomes (e.g. speed) and diagnoses (e.g. neuroblastoma) were severely underrepresented. With the exception of gait, leukemia patients represented the largest group of individuals tested.

CONCLUSIONS

Insufficient data and patient heterogeneity complicate uniform recommendations for assessments. Our results support researchers and practitioners in selecting appropriate assessment to meet their specific research questions or individual daily practice needs.

IMPACT

This systematic review includes 149 studies and provides a comprehensive summary of 63 assessments to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, speed, balance, flexibility, functional mobility, gait or motor performance test batteries in patients and survivors of pediatric cancer. We present the most studied fields within the pediatric cancer population, which are cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength, off treatment phase, and leukemia patients. We propose research priorities by identification of subgroups in terms of cancer type, phase of treatment, and outcome of interest that are underrepresented in studies currently available.

Physical performance after pediatric solid organ transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Low physical activity is a well-recognized problem in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients; however, little is known about the differences between transplant groups. Physical performance testing was performed in a cohort of pediatric kidney, liver, and heart transplant recipients.

METHODS

Fifty-one patients (54.9% boys), including 17 liver, 20 kidney, 2 combined liver-kidney, and 12 heart transplant recipients, were tested at the median age of 11.5 (7.5-14.9) years. The results were compared with a control group, which consisted of 425 healthy schoolchildren. The physical performance test included six different tests of endurance, strength, flexibility, and speed.

RESULTS

The transplant recipients performed worse on most tests when compared with the control subjects (leg-lift test 42.0 vs. 44.9 repetitions, p = .002; repeated squatting 21.6 vs. 23.9 repetitions, p < .001; sit-up test 9 vs. 17 vs. 9 repetitions, p < .001, back extension 20 vs. 35 repetitions, p < .001; and shuttle run test 26.5 vs. 23.7 seconds, p < .001). None of the test results differed statistically significantly between the transplant groups.

CONCLUSION

The physical performance of pediatric solid organ transplant recipients is lower than that of their healthy peers but do not differ between different transplant groups. More systematic rehabilitation programs and follow-up are needed.

Tailored Exercise during Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Hospitalization in Children with Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study

We assessed the clinical effects of a supervised exercise (aerobic + resistance) intervention performed during inpatient hospitalization for pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Patients were placed in an exercise (n = 65 (47 and 18 with allogeneic (allo-) and autologous (auto-) HSCT, respectively)) or a control (n = 53 (39 and 14)) group. Exercise interventions were performed in isolated hospital patient rooms. Patients were followed-up from the beginning of the conditioning phase up to 6 years. We assessed survival, risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) or graft failure (primary outcomes), and engraftment kinetics, supportive care, toxicity profile, and immune reconstitution for auto-HSCT and allo-HSCT. The exercise intervention was safe and did not affect the risk of mortality, acute/chronic GvHD, or graft failure (all p > 0.05). No between-group differences (p > 0.05) were found for the remainder of clinical endpoints, except for a reduced number of total and viral infections in the exercise group after allo-HSCT (unadjusted p = 0.005 for both total and viral infections, and adjusted p = 0.023 and 0.083, respectively). In conclusion, exercise performed during inpatient hospitalization for pediatric HSCT is safe and well tolerated during both auto and allo-HSCT and tends to decrease the risk of infection after allo-HSCT. These findings provide additional support to the notion that a multidisciplinary approach (i.e., including the work of exercise specialists) is suitable in the management of children undergoing HSCT. Further studies are needed to determine whether applying a different training stimulus (notably, higher exercise intensities) exerts positive effects on HSCT prognosis in these patients.

Body composition after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation/total body irradiation in children and young people: a restricted systematic review

PURPOSE

To collate evidence of changes in body composition following treatment of leukaemia in children, teenagers and young adults (CTYA, 0-24 years) with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant and total body irradiation (HSCT+TBI).

METHODS

Papers were identified by searching Medline and Google Scholar, reference lists/citations and contacting key authors, with no date or language restrictions. Inclusion criteria were as follows: leukaemia, HSCT+TBI, aged ≤ 24 years at HSCT and changes in body composition (total fat, central adiposity, adipose tissue function, muscle mass, muscle function). Quality was assessed using a brief Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

RESULTS

Of 900 papers, 20 were included: seven controlled, five uncontrolled studies and eight case reports. Study quality appeared good. There was little evidence of differences in total fat/weight for HSCT + TBI groups (compared to healthy controls/population norms/short stature controls). There was some evidence of significantly higher central adiposity and differences in adipose tissue function (compared to leukaemic/non-leukaemic controls). Muscle mass was significantly lower (compared to healthy/obese controls). Muscle function results were inconclusive but suggested impairment. Case reports confirmed a lipodystrophic phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Early remodelling of adipose tissue and loss of skeletal muscle are evident following HSCT + TBI for CTYA leukaemia, with extreme phenotype of overt lipodystrophy. There is some evidence for reduced muscle effectiveness.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Body composition changes in patients after HSCT + TBI are apparent by early adult life and link with the risk of excess cardiometabolic morbidity seen in adult survivors. Interventions to improve muscle and/or adipose function, perhaps utilizing nutritional manipulation and/or targeted activity, should be investigated.

Impact of the initial fitness level on the effects of a structured exercise therapy during pediatric stem cell transplantation

BACKGROUND

Before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), most patients suffer from psychophysical limitations due to the treatment. Exercise interventions demonstrate beneficial effects on, for example, strength, endurance, or health-related quality of life during and after HSCT, but with a great variation among patients concerning the response to exercise. This study examines the influence of the initial fitness on the effects of an exercise therapy in pediatric HSCT.

PROCEDURE

Fifty-three children and adolescents (10.9 ± 3.5 years) scheduled for HSCT were randomized into an exercise intervention group (IG) or a control group (CG). During hospitalization, the IG performed endurance, strength, and flexibility training three times per week. The CG included a nonexercise program. A 6-min walk test was completed before and after the inpatient period. Baseline results (6-min walking distance [6MWD]) were used to split both groups into the following: IG_UNFIT , n = 14; IG_FIT , n = 12; CG_UNFIT , n = 16; CG_FIT , n = 11. Differences in outcome changes between groups were analyzed with H-test.

RESULT

Intergroup comparison revealed significant differences between IG_UNFIT and CG_UNFIT (P < 0.05). The IG_UNFIT increased their 6MWD by +8% (vs. IG_FIT , +1%); both CGs presented a decline in 6MWD (CG_UNFIT , -14%; CG_FIT , -16%). At discharge, the IG_FIT achieved 85.5 ± 10.3% of healthy reference values.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results indicate that exercise during pediatric HSCT is feasible and contributes to prevention of treatment-related loss of physical function. As seen in healthy persons, patients' benefits might depend on their initial fitness level. As a diminished physical capability may result in higher training effects, impaired especially patients should engage in exercise.

Associating Physical Activity Levels with Motor Performance and Physical Function in Childhood Survivors of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Purpose: This cross-sectional, observational study investigated whether physical activity (PA) levels are associated with motor performance and physical function in children after treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Method: Participants aged 8-13 years who had completed treatment for ALL (3-36 months post-treatment) were tested at their oncology long-term follow-up appointment at the British Columbia Children's Hospital. PA level was measured using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Motor performance was measured using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition, Short Form (BOT-2 SF), and physical function was measured using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Results: Thirteen children completed testing. PAQ-C scores were not associated with BOT-2 SF or 6MWT performance. Eleven children (85%) performed below the norm for the 6MWT. Children with elevated body mass index had poorer 6MWT but similar PAQ-C scores. Conclusion: PA was not found to be associated with motor performance and physical function. Participants who were overweight or obese had poorer 6MWT performance, which may indicate the need for closer monitoring of post-treatment weight status and physical function in the oncology follow-up setting.

Rehabilitative intervention during and after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: An analysis of the existing literature

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a therapeutic strategy for several oncohematological diseases. It increases survival rates but leads to a high incidence of related effects. The objective of this paper was to examine the existing literature on physical exercise interventions among pediatric HSCT recipients to explore the most often utilized rehabilitative assessment and treatment tools. Studies published from 2002 to April 1, 2015 were selected: 10 studies were included. A previous literary review has shown that rehabilitation programs have a positive impact on quality of life. Our analysis identified some significant outcome variables and shared intervention areas.

Impairments of Lower Extremity Muscle Strength and Balance in Childhood Cancer Patients and Survivors: A Systematic Review

This review aims to summarize the evidence for impairments of muscle strength and balance during and after treatment for childhood cancer. Thirty-two articles, identified in scientific databases by means of a structured search for investigations of muscle strength and balance in pediatric cancer patients and survivors, are evaluated. A summary of results is given with respect to matching reporting items to provide a qualitative analysis of the evidence. The majority of the studies reached a level 3 rating according to Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) 2011 levels of evidence. Muscle strength and balance seem to be impaired in varying degrees depending on the diagnosis, treatment received, and time elapsed between treatment and evaluation. Drawing specific conclusions from the identified studies is difficult because of heterogeneous study samples and methods of research. Individual targeted exercise therapy programs during treatment and follow-up of childhood cancer could help to prevent and further diminish impairments of muscle strength and balance function among childhood cancer patients and survivors.

Physical activity and screen-time of childhood haematopoietic stem cell transplant survivors

AIM

Reduced bone mineral density, impaired cardiovascular fitness and increased risk of obesity are well-known late effects of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in survivors of childhood cancer. These comorbidities can be mitigated through physical activity and limiting screen-time (ST). This study aims to increase the understanding of physical activity and ST behaviours for children following HSCT.

METHODS

Children were recruited from two oncology follow-up clinics and completed a questionnaire on their physical activity levels and screen-time. Children were classified as short (≤2 years) and long-term (>2 years) survivors.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight children were eligible, of whom forty children of age 6-18 years (60% males) participated in the study. Less than half (47.5%) met the daily recommendations for physical activity and one-third met the ST recommendations. Late survivors reported higher daily physical activity and less ST than early survivors. Among late survivors, females reported higher daily physical activity and less ST than males.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that the majority of children following HSCT were not sufficiently active and had excessive screen-time; however, this was comparable to healthy populations. Appropriately designed physical activity and screen-time intervention programmes should be explored early following transplant for children undergoing HSCT.

Motor Performance After Treatment for Pediatric Bone Tumors

BACKGROUND

Reduced motor performance can negatively affect physical activity and social partake after childhood cancer. Especially in bone tumor patients, who are at risk of physical limitations due to surgical interventions, motor performance has not yet been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing motor performance in pediatric bone tumor patients.

PROCEDURE

Motor performance was measured within 2 years posttreatment using the MOON (test for MOtor performance in pediatric ONcology) test. This instrument enables quantitative data collection even in physically impaired patients for comparison with age-matched and sex-matched reference values.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients (13 male) ages 15.2±2.1 years (median: 15 y, 10 to 19 y) and 9.4±7.4 months posttreatment (median: 6 mo, 2 to 24 mo) were tested. Motor performance was slightly reduced in muscular endurance of the legs; significantly reduced in speed, flexibility, eye-hand coordination, and muscular explosive strength (P<0.001), whereas patients' hand grip strength and static balance were superior to the reference values. Follow-up duration, body mass index, and tumor localization apparently affected motor performance.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings show serious reductions in motor performance within 2 years after bone tumor treatment and highlight the need for interventions to improve motor performance. The results should be used to advise and support patients to engage in suitable physical and sports activities.

Energy balance and fitness in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

There is limited information on body composition, energy balance, and fitness among survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), especially those treated without cranial radiation therapy (CRT). This analysis compares these metrics among 365 ALL survivors with a mean age of 28.6 ± 5.9 years (149 treated with and 216 without CRT) and 365 age-, sex-, and race-matched peers. We also report risk factors for outcomes among survivors treated without CRT. Male survivors not exposed to CRT had abnormal body composition when compared with peers (% body fat, 26.2 ± 8.2 vs 22.7 ± 7.1). Survivors without CRT had similar energy balance but had significantly impaired quadriceps strength (-21.9 ± 6.0 Newton-meters [Nm]/kg, 60°/s) and endurance (-11.4 ± 4.6 Nm/kg, 300°/s), exercise capacity (-2.0 ± 2.1 ml/kg per minute), low-back and hamstring flexibility (-4.7 ± 1.6 cm), and dorsiflexion range of motion (-3.1 ± 0.9°) and higher modified total neuropathy scores (+1.6 ± 1.1) than peers. Cumulative asparaginase dose ≥120,000 IU/m(2) was associated with impaired flexibility, vincristine dose ≥39 mg/m(2) with peripheral neuropathy, glucocorticoid (prednisone equivalent) dose ≥8000 mg/m(2) with hand weakness, and intrathecal methotrexate dose ≥225 mg with dorsiflexion weakness. Physical inactivity was associated with hand weakness and decreased exercise capacity. Smoking was associated with peripheral neuropathy. Elimination of CRT from ALL therapy has improved, but not eliminated, body-composition outcomes. Survivors remain at risk for impaired fitness.

Evaluation of fitness levels of children with a diagnosis of acute leukemia and lymphoma after completion of chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The aim of this study was to assess the fitness levels and possible deficits in physical performance in children with a diagnosis of childhood acute leukemia and lymphoma after 10 months of therapy ending through a specific test battery. A total of 58 subjects were enrolled in this study. The experimental group (EG) (7.55 ± 2.43 years; 41.8 ± 16.37 kg; 144.6 ± 10.21 cm) consisted of 18 children with diagnosed leukemia and lymphoma after completion of 10 months of therapy intervention and 40 healthy children who were enrolled in a control group (CG) (7.92 ± 1.78 years; 37.4 ± 12.37 kg; 140.6 ± 12.61 cm). A testing battery including the standing broad jump; the sit-up test; the 4 × 10 m shuttle run test, and the hand grip strength test were administered to both groups. An unpaired t-test was adopted to determine differences and the Pearson product moment was administered when appropriate. Results of the EG were generally lower when compared to the CG. Significant differences were identified for the standing broad jump (P < 0.05); 4 × 10 m shuttle run (P < 0.05); hand grip test DX (P < 0.05), and hand grip test SX (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the sit-up tests. Pearson product moment correlation revealed a good interaction for all EG participants. Findings suggest that the proposed testing battery could be an appropriate tool to evaluate residual fitness levels in children with previous hematological malignancies. However, our results have to be confirmed with a larger number of participants with the same diagnosis of our EG.