Effects of strength exercise interventions on activities of daily living, motor performance, and physical activity in children and adolescents with leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma: Results from the randomized controlled ActiveADL Study
Dominik Gaser, Christiane Peters, Renate Oberhoffer, Miriam Götte, Tobias Feuchtinger, Irene Schmid, Bernhard Haller, Irene von Luettichau, Sabine Kesting
Abstract
Objectives: Pediatric patients with cancer experience impairments in muscle strength and physical activity (PA) that may reduce autonomy during hospitalization. To determine the effects of strength exercise interventions on the accomplishment of activities of daily living (ADLs), motor performance, and PA in children with leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, we randomly allocated patients (4-18 years) immediately after diagnosis into two exercise groups. Methods: = 20) was provided standard care exercise program without any targeted muscle strengthening. After the baseline visit, participants were followed-up three times until intensive treatment cessation. We assessed physical function limitations using the Activities Scale for Kids© (ASK) and Functional ADL Screen. Secondary outcomes were PA levels using accelerometer and motor performance as measured by MOON-test (motor performance in pediatric oncology-test). Results: < 0.05). However, no significant between-group differences for ASK outcome were noted. Motor performance was reduced in all motor abilities. Conclusions: Both exercise interventions were effective to maintain ADLs and motor performance during intensive treatment. In comparison, regular strength exercise interventions in the course of therapy tended to be more beneficial with regards to muscular explosive and endurance strength.