Anna-Maria Goebel1, Elisabeth Koustenis1, Stefan M Rueckriegel2, Laura Pfuhlmann3, Rick Brandsma4, Deborah Sival5, Horst Skarabis6, Markus Schuelke3, Pablo Hernáiz Driever7. 1. Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany. 2. Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany; Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Würzburg, Germany. 3. Department of Neuropediatrics and NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany. 4. Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Netherlands. 5. Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Netherlands. 6. Institute of Sociology, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany. 7. Department of Pediatric Oncology/Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany. Electronic address: pablo.hernaiz@charite.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Up to 43% of survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) may exhibit fine-motor problems. Information on manual dexterity in this cohort is still limited. OBJECTIVES: We tested survivors of childhood ALL treated with chemotherapy-only for fine-motor function in terms of drawing and handwriting abilities using a Digitizing Tablet (DT) with three tasks for drawing and handwriting of varying complexity, for ataxia using the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS), and for tremor and hand-eye coordination using the Nine Hole Steadiness Tester (NHST). RESULTS: We examined a cohort of non-irradiated survivors (n = 31) after a median time of 3.5 years after end of therapy. In all tasks of the DT the cohort demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) impairment of speed, automation, and variability in at least two tasks and significantly more pressure. Impaired speed (SPV) inversely correlated with lag time since end of therapy. Dexterity performance of six survivors (19%) lay below the 5th percentile. No survivor exhibited ataxia, tremor, or impaired hand-steadiness. CONCLUSION: Despite the absence of gross ataxia, tremor, and impaired hand-eye coordination, we nevertheless detected significant fine-motor impairment in a relevant number of survivors of childhood ALL. Prospective studies are needed to reveal the pathophysiological underpinnings and genetic risk factors for development of such deficits due to ALL and its treatment.
BACKGROUND: Up to 43% of survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) may exhibit fine-motor problems. Information on manual dexterity in this cohort is still limited. OBJECTIVES: We tested survivors of childhood ALL treated with chemotherapy-only for fine-motor function in terms of drawing and handwriting abilities using a Digitizing Tablet (DT) with three tasks for drawing and handwriting of varying complexity, for ataxia using the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS), and for tremor and hand-eye coordination using the Nine Hole Steadiness Tester (NHST). RESULTS: We examined a cohort of non-irradiated survivors (n = 31) after a median time of 3.5 years after end of therapy. In all tasks of the DT the cohort demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) impairment of speed, automation, and variability in at least two tasks and significantly more pressure. Impaired speed (SPV) inversely correlated with lag time since end of therapy. Dexterity performance of six survivors (19%) lay below the 5th percentile. No survivor exhibited ataxia, tremor, or impaired hand-steadiness. CONCLUSION: Despite the absence of gross ataxia, tremor, and impaired hand-eye coordination, we nevertheless detected significant fine-motor impairment in a relevant number of survivors of childhood ALL. Prospective studies are needed to reveal the pathophysiological underpinnings and genetic risk factors for development of such deficits due to ALL and its treatment.
Authors: Mathieu Decock; Robin De Wilde; Ruth Van der Looven; Catharine Vander Linden Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-09 Impact factor: 4.614
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