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Research Article
Decrease in peripheral muscle strength and ankle dorsiflexion as long-term side effects of treatment for childhood cancer
Article first published online: 30 AUG 2007
DOI: 10.1002/pbc.21325
Copyright © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
1545-5017/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=a75210663ec4a312a5bd8e3022f1967dde569328 "Pediatric Blood & Cancer")
Additional Information
How to Cite
Hartman, A., van den Bos, C., Stijnen, T. and Pieters, R. (2008), Decrease in peripheral muscle strength and ankle dorsiflexion as long-term side effects of treatment for childhood cancer. Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 50: 833–837. doi: 10.1002/pbc.21325
Publication History
- Issue published online: 19 FEB 2008
- Article first published online: 30 AUG 2007
- Manuscript Accepted: 27 JUN 2007
- Manuscript Received: 1 MAR 2007
Keywords:
- hand-held dynamometer;
- motor performance
Abstract
Background
This study investigated muscle strength, passive ankle dorsiflexion, and their association with motor performance in children after treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Wilms tumor, B-non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and malignant mesenchymal tumors.
Procedure
Muscle strength was assessed with a hand-held dynamometer and ankle dorsiflexion with a goniometer in 92 and 64 survivors, respectively. Motor performance was measured with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (movement-ABC). Age at testing: 6.1–12.9 years. Mean time since completing treatment: 3.3 years. Results were compared to 155 healthy controls.
Results
Muscle strength of the survivors was reduced in ankle dorsiflexors on both sides (P < 0.001), wrist dorsiflexors on the non-dominant side (P < 0.001), and pinch grip on the non-dominant (P = 0.001) and dominant side (P = 0.01). Passive ankle dorsiflexion of the survivors was significantly less on both sides (P < 0.01). Movement-ABC percentile score was affected by pinch grip strength on the non-dominant (P < 0.004), and dominant side (P = 0.024) but not by strength of other muscle groups or by passive ankle dorsiflexion.
Conclusion
Peripheral muscle strength and ankle dorsiflexion are reduced in the long-term in children treated for cancer with chemotherapy. However, neither decreased muscle strength nor reduced ankle dorsiflexion could completely explain reduced scores on the movement-ABC. Pediatr Blood Cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:833–837. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.